Turbanators! 
Courtesy Akki & Singh is Kinng, the humble turban now spells ultimate style. The brighter, the better!
Jasmine Singh

WE all love Akshay Kumar, don’t we? Whether, it’s his comic antics, daring stunts or his ravishing new avtars. This time too, the Khiladi dons a new look with unmatched gusto. Akshay plays a Sikh in his upcoming movie Singh is Kinng. And he does look a very Happy Singh with his turban and trimmed beard. And you bet, Akki has triggered off a new trend of turbans that has found acceptance with Sikh boys who had earlier cut their hair to look cool.

Here, take it from the man himself, Akshay Kumar: “I had worn a turban before for my album Nirgun Laakh Leeya. But now, I must say that it has become a part of my identity, so much so, that I feel incomplete when I am not wearing it.” Not to mention that he looks dashing in those fluorescent, peacock blue, off-white and Irani pink pagdi.

Not only Akshay, the film required some of the cast to sport the pagdi. And they all made quite an effort to make it look authentic. Akshay Kumar approached the head of the Sikh community in Melbourne and requested him to tie it for him. Even Vipul Shah, director of Singh is Kinng went to the extent of inviting the heads of prominent gurdwaras of Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide to visit the sets and approve Akshay’s look. And the entire gang of Akshay’s friends — Sonu Sood, Ranveer Shorey, Om Puri, Javed Jaffrey and Sudhanshu Pandey, got their pagdi tied by the Sikh representatives.

Sonu Sood, whose film Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi will hit theatres on November 7, and who plays the ‘King’ in Singh is King shares his experience. “Before shooting, I had send my pictures in a turban to Anees Bazmi and he liked them a lot.” Shahid Amir, who has designed the turbans for Sonu, has used uncommon colours and studs to make it attractive. “My Sikh friends in Punjab think that they cannot make it to films due to their turban. Now they are proven wrong.” As per Sonu, who shot to fame with Aashiq Banaaya Apney, “Wearing turban was a great experience. I had to wear it for 50 days at a stretch. Now, when I don’t have to wear it I feel as if something is missing.”

The cast has certainly set a trend among the city youth.

“Sikhs have always been presented in a ridiculed light in Hindi films. Akshay Kumar as a smart turban-wearing Sardar will certainly change the image of the Sikh,” feels Ajay Mattu, who is preparing for the Civil Service examinations. “And he has carried it so well. I feel like tying a turban myself,” he smiles. The colours too fascinate some. Says Mandeep Bhullar, “Akshay is wearing bold colours like pink, yellow and peacock blue. I am sure many young Sikhs will start wearing these colours now.”

And Akki as a Sikh has generated quite a talk among his fans. Chips in Samiksha Sharma, an arts student from GCG -11, “Everyone’s talking about Akki’s new look. I am too captivated by his turbans. I am sure many young Sikh boys will now return to tying turbans. In fact, one of my friend is already doing it.” Samiksha’s friend Harman Brar has already bought a pink and white pagri.

As for Simarjyot Sandhu, a homemaker from Mohali, who has been coaxing her 28-year- old-son Satbir to wear a turban, is a happy mom. “I was surprised when Satbir walked in a blue turban the other day. He told me Akshay Kumar’s new look inspired him. Chalo jithoon wi inspire hoya hovey, pagdi taa bannani shuru kiti Satbir ney,” Simarjyot tells us with a glint in her eyes.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

King of Moga
Up, close & personal with Sonu Sood
Jasmine Singh

POST-Jodha Akbar life is bright and happening for this budding actor from apna Punjab. He can boast of some good roles in his kitty with appreciable performance to back him. The latest one to make news is Singh Is Kinng, wherein Sonu plays a King in Australia. Excited and anxious to know the Box Office verdict, Sonu shares his experience in the movie that stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Neha Dhupia.

“It all happened in a jiffy. I didn’t even get time to think!” says Sonu. “Vipul Shah called me and told me about this role in his film. Then Anees Bazmee narrated the script to me over the phone and promised that the beginning of the movie, which required jumping from the 75th floor, would be its most exciting part. It’s the thrill of jumping from such a height that got me to do the film,” says Sonu.

Once on board, Sonu shares that he had a great time shooting in Australia, especially in a turban. “It is not easy for a non–Sikh to wear a turban for hours at a stretch. Hats off to Sikhs. But once I wore it, I really did feel like a king. The whole feeling is so grand and magnificent,” gushes Sonu.

Gung-ho over the turban, but what about his role? “The whole look of Singh Is Kinng is stylish and hatke. I play Lucky Singh, a regular Punjabi guy — carefree and brave. And that’s what I am,” he smiles. Does that mean no basic homework? “I didn’t have to,” pat comes the reply from Sonu, born and brought up in Moga. “I have grown up with Sikh friends. I have seen their lifestyle pretty closely. Also, I am a Punjabi at heart. My suggestions were considered valuable for the film, especially as I was the only one who has lived in Punjab.”

As the hype and hoopla builds up around Singh is Kinng, people, especially from the north, are all praise for the “movie with a turban-sporting hero”. It’s an attempt to portray Sikhs in a grand manner. “I am sure the movie will be well-received in Punjab. And I bet, turbans will now make a style statement like never before.”

For sure! The entire crew looks awesome, especially khiladi Akshay Kumar in his fluorescent turbans. “He is a phenomenal actor and a wonderful person,” quips Sonu. “Akshay is a prankster and a fitness freak; so am I. For a quick workout, he would climb 200 stairs in the hotel we stayed in. How cool is that!” tells this star, also working on three new projects, Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi, Dhoondte Reh Jaoge and another one untitled flick with J. P. Dutta.

Little Interview
Entry to Bazmee’s heart

THE first thing one notices about Anees Bazmee is his confidence. It oozes out his eyes, his body language and his voice. Here is a man who knows what he wants. His last two films, No Entry and Welcome, were super duper hits. Bazmee is ready to take the centre-stage once again with his latest action comedy Singh Is King with Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. Here is the talented director in a candid chat on his latest film which was shot in the Gold Coast, Australia.

n What is it about Singh Is King that makes it different?

It is a totally different action comedy, which revolves around a gang of crooks. The location has beautiful beaches and spectacular high rises.

n Are you expecting it to be a hit?

It is a film I am proud of. I believe that a powerful story, enacted sincerely, does well. This film happened to have all of this so its success should not be surprising.

n Why did you choose Katrina Kaif for the female lead?

Katrina is lucky for me. She is a director’s actor, professional and punctual. As a chirpy, fun-loving law student, she did a brilliant role in the film.

n Why Akshay?

Singh Is King would not have happened with Akshay. He is full of life on the sets. Akshay has played the role of Happy Singh exactly the way I wanted. I dare say this is his best performance so far.

n Your journey into Bollywood…

I have been around for 30 years. As an assistant director, I assisted more than 12 directors and as a writer I wrote more than 50 films. Thereafter, I directed No Entry and Welcome. Then Singh Is King happened.

n What’s next?

A love story produced by Sanjay and Boney Kapoor titled It’s My Life starring Harman Baweja and Genelia D’ Souza. Besides, I have signed a famous 3-film deal with Studio 18

— Dharam Pal

New releases
BO ka kinng kaun?
Singh is Kinng

Director: Anees Bazmee

SINGH is Kinng, the most keenly awaited romantic comedy of 2008, revolves around a gang of crooks transformed by a good man and his selfless love for a pretty girl.

Lakhan Singh aka Lucky (Sonu) is the 'king' of the Australian underworld, accompanied by his associates (Javed, Neha, Manoj, Yashpal, Kamal and Sudhanshu) Far away, in a small village in Punjab, where Lucky was born, there exists someone more notorious than him - Happy Singh (Akshay). The village is fed up of his magnanimity, which has resulted in a number of hilariously disastrous situations. Out of desperation, they decide to send him on a long trip to bring Lucky back to Punjab, as his despicable deeds were maligning their image in Australia.

The happy-go-lucky bumpkin, taking his mission a bit too seriously, embarks on his journey accompanied by his friend, Tony Singh (Om), who hates Happy for dragging him into it.

The high point of his journey is his chance meeting with Sonia (Katrina) with whom he falls in love. But upon reaching his destination, things take a precarious turn as he runs into a series of comic misadventures, leaving him penniless. He is fortunate to find warmth and affection in an elderly lady (Kiron) who helps him meet Lucky.

In a strange turn of events, an attempt on Lucky's life is foiled by a well-intentioned Happy, who fights off the attackers by risking his own life. Following the hilarious altercation, Lucky lands up in hospital paralyzed, and Happy, unexpectedly, finds the tables turned on him when he is expected to assume the role of the new 'kinng'!

The series of chaos, shocks and comic misunderstandings that ensue eventually result in redemption and an accidental wedding!

Shot in Punjab, Australia and Egypt, Singh Is Kinng marks superstar Akshay Kumar's re-entry into the action-comedy minefield. With plenty of romance, glamour, laugh-aloud moments and chartbusting music, it promises to be one of the most appealing and entertaining motion pictures of 2008.

Showing at: Piccadilly, DT Cinemas, Centra Mall, Fun Republic, KC (Pkl) 

Growing Stronger
She is in for a long innings, for Mona Singh does not believe in 15 minutes of fame 
Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra

HER father’s melodious voice is a sure enough introduction. Daughter of Channi Singh (lead singer of bhangra band Alaap), Mona Singh is the First Lady of Bhangra. She launched her debut album The Beginning in 2000 and then The Second Chapter in the year 2003. In the city for launch of her third album Stronger, she talks music, inspiration and lot more…

On a musical note

BORN into a family rooted into music, Mona hummed her first song when she was only three. “I gave my first stage show when I was 6 and that got me six hooked into singing,” says Mona. She started with classical music but left it halfway as it didn’t appeal her. “Now I know the importance of it and so I have resumed my classes. A gold medallist in sitar, Mona also plays the piano and the keyboard: “Music runs in my blood and when we talk of Punjabi music, I am all dedicated to this genre.”

Father and daughter

A FATHER”S daughter, Mona takes inspiration from her Daddy and Daddy backs her on all fronts. “I have grown up on my father’s music. It was his band Alaap that has made what Bhangra is today. And for me I want to be known for the same reasons as my father.”

All praises for his daughter, the man behind musical hit Yalgaar, Channi says, “Mona has already carved a niche for herself. She has been already awarded with the Best Female Debutante Singer, Best Female Vocalist and Young Achiever Award from artiste like Jagjit Singh, Dev Kohli, Uttam Singh and the Mayor of London. Acclaimed as the first women of Bhangra, this is Mona’s third album and unlike other two, this one is based on her personal experience that comes in form of a mix of sad, ballet, club and bhangra mix songs.” Ask her if her father’s image had made her entry easy and she says: “Of course it has. Bhangra is a male dominated field and to get an entry is not an easy task and it is because of my father that I didn’t have to go through the initial struggles.”

Talk Stronger

“THIS is an album close to my heart, as it has my personal experiences weaved in. And the name to suggests my becoming stronger,” says Mona.

“I am also lending my voice to a track for Bhatti on Chutti, where my father is the music director. Apart from that Dad and I are planning an album together but the lyrical content has to be generalised as we cannot sing love songs together,” she adds. Having sung for a English film, Distant Mirage, her heart beats for the Punjabi dhol but our lady is open to playback singing, acting and playing the independent musician.”

All’s fair in love & war
MTV Splitsvilla’s hunks Vishal and Varun get candid about the show 
Jasmine Singh

FUN, sex, sin and betrayal…. MTV’s Splitsvilla, a bold new romance reality show. That’s what the tagline reads. But those of you who have seen the show would want to know where is the romance! “Well, I could see it everywhere”, says Vishal, one of the two boys on show and the more sensitive kinds. As for the Varun, the evil guy, “the show was okay till the time the competition angle wasn’t introduced by Raghu. He adds with a puckish grin, “In real life, I was pretty serious in a relationship, till the time the girl dumped me for someone else.”

 Well guys, everything is fair in love and war. And sure it is. Who knows it better than Chandigarh’s Vishal and Varun. They’ve seen enough, scheming, bitching and dumping to come to a conclusion on what is love or about ‘women’s nature’ for that matter. “Of course”, says Vishal, a licensed commercial pilot. “The real nature of the girls was visible when they were put together and how they behaved in a particular situation.” Never thought reading a women’s mind was that easy!

 Wicked, wild, sexy, sinful, temptations, what is the message that the show intends to send out to the youth? Adds Varun, who had never thought he would land up on a show like this or for that matter anywhere on television, “What else did you expect from a show, shot in Goa. Did you want the girls to roam about on the beach in a sari or suit.” As for the ‘good-good’ guy Vishal, it is pure entertainment.

 So, there is no one out for real love? “I would definitely like to connect with Shraddha after the show for sure”, says Vishal, “You know how serious once”, sulks Varun.

 But who wins the show? “Wait and watch,” the duo replies. Till then? “We are getting saas bahu kind of roles, which we don’t want to do”, they chorus.  But anything young, new and fresh, the hunks are game for it.

Saturnic Verses
The connotations behind the eighth day of the eighth month of the eighth year of the century....
Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra

DO you believe that the position of planets defines people’s fate or affects countries? Standing on the crossroads of new and old, we are a generation of people who believe and yet like to disbelieve in the influence of planets and their influence on our destiny.

And when so much has been talked about the ill effects of the saturn or Shani and the moment of 8-8-8 at 8.08, which comes once in a century’s time, we wonder what it is all about!

Mystic sway

Informing us about the influence of saturn on that day, astrologer Madan Gupta Spatu, says: “As the clock strikes eight past eight on August 8, 2008, it will be a memorable moment across the globe as it is six times that eight will be together and that too in one line. The sum of all digits will also come up as eight and the wonder of the day is that this will be repeated only in the next century.”

Shaman Witch Renu Mathur says: “Eight is the strongest of all numbers and is the number of Shanidev. It represents patience, effort, endeavor and endurance. Shani believes in the balance of Karmic things and can be positive or negative depending on one’s Karma. But it will have an effect on the people born under number four and eight.”

Fact vs fiction

Ask Renu about the logic behind the number game and she says, “When it comes to 8-8-8 there are too many eights and this causes an imbalance in the astrological signs and prove dire to many born under this number.” Citing examples she says: “The ill effects of saturn are showing, just as the eighth month started we had Naina Devi stampede, our PM’s birth number is also eight, the Government just suffered a severe blow.”

Talking about the superstition associated with it, Spatu says, “It is all about believing. Eight is believed to be ill fated. It has already shown its malefic influence on the earth since it assumed the Sun’s zodiac with mars on June 21. Since then the government’s survival remained at stake and serial bomb blasts rocked the country. The recent stampede in Naina Devi temple is also the outcome of it.” He adds: “Children born on 08.08.08 specially at 08.08 will be under the influence of the saturn. Such children may go religiously extreme or fanatic in their zeal. Number 8 people shall turn either very successful or utter failure”

Talking about the mystic number, Kheterpal, city-based numerologist says: “Eight is a special number but when we speak of ill-effects, god has created all the numbers and nothing bad is going to happen that day. But yes, people born under this number have a different life, they either go very high or very low.”

On a day like today

While this number thing keeps us guessing on what’s going to happen, there are a few who would be celebrating as their birthday falls on this date. “I am into astrology and healing practices and I also happen to be number eight. Though I am little apprehensive but then I would be enjoying the day just like any other birthday of mine,” says Renu.

On the other hand Rakesh Kumar, an executive with a telecom company, who also celebrates his birthday on August 8, says: “I was not aware of all such astrological musings. But this day is special for me and I will celebrate it as it happens to be a one time thing in the century.”

For Dr Rupneet Kaur, a dentist from Hoshiarpur, this day is as special as any other birthday but she has done her bit to negate the negative effects of the saturn. “I have already asked my spiritual guru and she says this amalgamation of numbers will have positive effects on my career and well-being.” How about celebrating the day, and she says: “I would be hosting a party for my family and friends.” 

Side lanes
A hundred years ago...
Joyshri Lobo

THE postcards from 1908 are smaller than their counterparts today. They used to cost a quarter of an anna and had George Vth’s head embossed in brown. He was a bald, insignificant-looking man with a beard. Our Sardars look far handsomer. On the postcard, the crown hangs over his head. Stamps of larger denominations show the crown placed on his head. The British Royals were distinguished by their grit and impeccable manners but not looks. Diana changed all that and her genes have brought in height, beauty and grace.

Only one side of the card could be written on. On the other, opposite George’s head, is the symbol of the House of Windsor. The two emblems have “INDIA POST CARD” written between them. The rest of the card is for the address. Our post cards today are designed better and have more writing space.

At a quarter of an anna, Jane Mitter could afford a daily letter to her youngest child Norma, who married Priyo Nath Dutt, later registrar of Panjab University, Lahore. She had a beautiful writing and wrote in a semi-circle starting with the date on the top right hand corner. The card talks about 300 medicinal leeches that were used on her body. She felt very faint and ill after the treatment. One can only hope that the huge number of leeches were stretched over a long period of time as it would have been ghoulish and tortuous otherwise. I have a weight problem and it can be presumed that my great-grandmother was corpulent too. Maybe she had high blood pressure. Having produced a baker’s dozen, this is a distinct possibility. Leeches were used to reduce pressure, tension and erratic behaviour.

My nani had diabetes and accompanying sores. Around 10 leeches were used to clean the septic area. On becoming engorged they would fall off. Thereafter, the vaid would store them in tins for future usage. Leeches are being farmed again for their cleansing and anti-coagulant properties. Maybe we have re-discovered the miracle cure for obesity!

Another one of Jane’s cards reads: “P.Aunt (referring to Polly, Rani Harnam Singh, her sister) will be here on the 2nd.  She wants a cook. E, (Jane’s son Edwin) has begun work in the Cantt (Jalandhar) I get a few dibs almost everyday. J, (Julian, another son) has not informed me of the cow’s udders yet. Zohra (one of her daughters) has cooked samia pulao; her cow is a grand one.”

Such minutiae made up the daily letters and helped Norma keep in touch with her large, joyous family. It seems Edwin handed over his salary to his mother. One hopes Julian’s cow recovered. He remained a bachelor all his life. After studying in England he became a doctor of botany at Lucknow University and advised all of us to look kindly at food mould, as it contained penicillin.

The postcards have brought alive an enchanted age. The comfortable details of daily life can be found in every sentence. We are in the fast lane today. Sometimes I wish for quieter times.

(This column appears weekly) 

Human anatomy in its basic form has been stimulating the artistic mind 
Object d’art
Commonplace objects that inspire painters 
Art of Anatomy 
Parbina Rashid

AKBAR Padamsee kickstarted in the early 40’s, M.F. Husain and F. N. Souza fuelled it, and many others still follow it — the trend of painting bare bodies in new modernist style is here to stay. These have created controversies, even got lawsuits slapped on them, but portraying human anatomy in all its sensuality never ceased to fascinate artistic minds. And, as art lovers we have trained ourselves to revel in the feeling of universality, their creations bring out in us. Why else would Francis Newton Souza’s painting of a nude female figure titled Birth would fetch $ 2, 519, 762, making him one of the highest paid India-born artist at an auction of modern South Asian art at Christies’s recently.

Starting with Padamsee, who worked on an extensive nude series with charcoal on paper which he simply called Nude 1,2,3, 4 and so on, we have few examples of artists who are synonymous with nude paintings. And why not? After all, our artists like Padamsee, Souza, Tayeb Mehta and M. F. Husain claim to have ‘invented modernism’ for Indian art have been greatly influenced by the Paris School. Infact, one of the sources for all established and budding artists, Picasso, has a complete gallery dedicated to his nude paintings at Picasso Museum in Barcelona! It is said Bhupen Khakkar went to the extent of expressing his homosexuality through his much-acclaimed painting Yayati.

Closer home, we have both young and veterans painting bare bodies from time to time. Among the younger lot, we have Sanjay Kumar who has been doing it even before he enrolled himself in the art college. It was mainly the rhythm of a female body, which got his interest hooked. His figures are line-based and often carry a sense of rhythm, but at the same time he keeps the purity of the form intact. It was his Concert of Line, the portrayal of three female figures, won him the national award in 2006.

Another artist who has worked with basic human form extensively is Madan Lal. He painted a series called Recycle of Life in 1999-2000. In his series Madan played with the form in a rather symbolic way, merging the body with the five elements of life. “In a situation where you want to show the relation of mankind with nature, putting clothes in your form just takes away everything from it,” says Madan.

The intervention of prudery is very much likely to continue but then so is artists’ fascination for the anatomy of the human body in its basic form. It will remain one of the first steps an artist takes in his communion with nature. For the bare bodies have been one of the earliest subjects in art.

(To be continued) 

An officer & an artist

ALMOST 40 years in the service gave Lt Col M. K. Bali more than just memories of the places he served and people he met. It unleashed his creative side, which found an outlet through paint and brush. And now that he is retired and willing to devote his time to art, Bali intends on make an entry in the city artist fraternity. He plans to do this by holding an exhibition with another amateur artist Shikha Dhayani.

The three -day exhibition that opens at the Government Museum and Art Gallery-10 on August 17 will showcase about 40 odd frames painted by Bali during his tenure. So, you will get to see a mixed lot of themes rather than one particular. “I learnt to play with colours during my service in the army and now, this is what I love doing,” says Bali. His landscapes are inspired by the majestic Himalayas and far flung areas of the country and a prominent horse series.

Bali’s forms are realistic, the lines are strong and he uses oil and pencil as a medium for most of his paintings. But he has an interesting collection of Bhasholi-inspired miniatures. “I was posted in Bhasholi village for sometime, and there I met up with a person who used to teach Bhasholi School of Paintings to underprivileged children. I learnt the art from him,” adds Bali.

Bali would ideally want to continue feeling happy with his muse, but much depends on the success of the exhibition. “Let’s see how the art fraternity responds to our work. If we get a good response, it will encourage me to take up art seriously rather than just a hobby,” he says. Something that only time will tell. — P. R.

Rising Star
Winner all the way
S. D. Sharma

THE old adage Honhaar birvaan ke hoat hain chikne paat (coming events cast their shadows before) is what comes to mind when one thinks of classical vocalist Kashish Mittal, whose childhood traits foreshowed the crowning glory he would achieve one day in the realms of art and academics. Only a year back, Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal conferred the state honour on Kashish at the Independence Day function in Ludhiana. 

The thunderous applause by the mammoth gathering failed to make him feel on the top of the world. Rather, it pushed him to the deeper recesses of his mind as he resolved to achieve more in his chosen stream of music. Back from the University of California after completing a research assignment as a student of IIT-Delhi, this Mohali-based lad has struck a judicious balance between his passion and profession.   

He was initiated into the world of melody when he was one seven and later his talent was honed by Prof Harbinder Singh. “However, my aesthetic prowess blossomed under the blessed tutelage of Pandit Yashpaul, a foremost maestro of Agra Gharana. My revered guru has exposed me to the depth and rigor of pure classical gayaki,” claims Kashish. And the encouragement came from his father Jagdish Kumar Mittal, an IPS officer, mom Sangeeta and brother Lovish.

A topper in the IIT entrance (fourth in national ranking), Kashish’s brush with fame came when he represented YPS-Patiala for the Indian Public Schools meet at Gwalior in 2003. And later he added to his glory by topping the junior category competition at the Harvallabh Sangeet Sammelan. Then Kashsish, though under age, competed in the senior category and secured the third slot at Harvallabh. Kashish stamped his versatility by winning the CCRT scholarship in classical music, which entitles him a monthly stipend of Rs 600 till he is 30. Maintaining his tradition of excellence, he secured the first position in IIT-organised Antaragini festival and a second slot in Rendejevous Fest consecutively in 2006 and 2007.       

“Now, studying at IIT-Delhi I have the privilege of learning computer science engineering under my Prof Kiran Seth, founder chairman of SPIC-MACAY,” says Kashish.

(This column appears fortnightly)