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Cover up
Unending controversies and daring statements brought her initial fame in Bollywood. Her dance moves made her even more popular and she was typecast as an item girl. But in all these years, all this failed to bother the overly impulsive Rakhi Sawant. Until recently, when she landed up with a movie under the Yash Raj production banner. From being an item girl to an actor-in-the-making (as she claims), in town for the shooting of a Yash Raj production, the all-candid Rakhi Sawant gets chatty as we ask her about her changed priorities and unfulfilled desires. Not to forget, this time too, the bindaas babe didn't hesitate to speak her mind. How do you like the city
Chandigarh?
It is a beautiful city with warm people. Honestly, I like Chandigarh for its oh-so-handsome guys. Every time I come here, I fall in love with the ever-vibrant Punjabi culture. How is the experience of working in a Yash Raj production and how has your life changed after bagging this role? I have acted in several movies but this time its feels like being in heaven and working with Shahid and Rani has been an awesome experience. I am getting to learn so much and it is also helping me realise my undiscovered potential. My life has got a new direction and I am feeling pampered and loved by the industry after getting to play the second lead in the movie. What about your item girl image?
I once used to feel proud to be known as the item girl of the industry, but today I wince at it. After working in this movie, I want people to know me as an actor and now throughout my life, all I want to do is acting and doing item numbers is a thing of the past for me. Do you think people in the industry now take you seriously? Initially, people used to think I fake but now they have accepted me the way I am. Filmmakers have realised that audiences love me for my honesty and outspoken nature and have begun to offer me meaty roles. Are you undergoing an image makeover?
No. I have always been the way I am. I haven't changed a bit; instead what has changed is people's attitude towards me. I still wear short clothes and am not averse to baring myself. People know now that I am never going to change and have accepted me as it is. How was your experience of hosting The Rakhi Sawant Show?
The industry has given me the opportunity to experience everything. From dancing to participating in a reality show to hosting a show, the journey has been fulfilling. The Rakhi Sawant Show made me chat up the established stars of Bollywood and I thoroughly enjoyed my job. Why didn't Sharukh turn up despite your repeated requests?
Shahrukh ne mujhe dhokha nahin diya hai. He has promised me that he'll be there in the next season of the show. Even Salman has promised to come to the show in the next season after I went to his show Dus ka Dum. Any unfulfilled desire?
I have done a lot of dancing and now just want to do acting. (She makes it clear) I am not greedy but hungry for success as I have
struggled and sacrificed a lot. All girls of my age have got married but I am still struggling to
settle down in my career. So, any plans for marriage?
Right now, I can't even think of it. I have achieved some success after waiting for so many years and i can't risk it by getting
married. My career as an actor is my priority and I am focused on that. ashima@tribunemail.com |
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Men, moolah and masti
Enough of women's way, girlie talk and their fashion trends people. Lets talk men, girls and give them some weight. So what do our men do to chill and relax? Do they party hard, sit back home, go for family outings or do they kitty out. We ask some of the jet-set crowd. "Whatever men may say, they have no life without women. But yes, there are concepts like men kitties where men go out and have a blast together," says Munish Bajaj, proprietor Tress Lounge. Telling us more about men kitty parties he says, "Well, unlike women kitty party this one is heavy on cash, where every member puts in thousands. And this is not only about dining and drinking, we guys save some part and then by the end of the year go out for a vacation to some foreign location." Of course, strings not attached. For Umesh Dewan, a businessman from Sector-26 says, "Yes, men have parties but they are not specifically termed as kitty parties. They are more of business or friends getting together. And unlike women parties, they happen outside the city, as men get together and drive away to some hill station or some secluded, corner where we have nobody to make inquiries and set a time limit." Agreeing with the trend, Rajeev Kakar, General Manager, Hotel Western Court-43, says, "The trend of men kitties has been there and these happen very often. Though these kitties are similar to women kitties, the only difference is that the money involved is much higher." So, what happens in these kitties: "Men gossip, drink and do all they can, to enjoy their one night of freedom." Talk of the difference between men and women kitties and he says, " Men kitties are based on committees and not members. Here, they have an auction kind of system where the one who wins the auction for the kitty, gives the party and it is not about going dutch like in women kitties." Ashutosh Garg an employee of an MNC in Mohali, says, "An all- male party has long been in vogue. People just call it by different names. And when we say men kitty party, it is a cliched term for the young man who loves to party alone." He adds, " For young professionals, stag parties are more in vogue and they happen anywhere and anytime. A colleague's house or a drive uphill are the preferred destinations than a hotel or a bar." jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com
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Coco Chanel on celluloid
Recently, MacLaine chatted about the designer, the role and senior style: What did you find most fascinating about Coco Chanel? Her contradictions. Her conflict between love and ambition. She never married. She was rude, hurtful. Many men were in love with her, though I don't know why, because she was impossible. She was 73 when she got so popular, and she was always reinventing herself. I like that. Were you already a Chanel fan?
I started wearing her clothes but they were knock-offs- when I was in my 20s and 30s because they worked for daytime or nighttime. I had knock-offs of everything she made and wore them everywhere. Audrey Hepburn turned me on to Chanel, and she told me that I should play Coco too. What did Hepburn see in you? I think she saw this high spirit in me. Someone who does whatever she wants, no matter what anybody thinks. If anything interferes with my inner peace, I will walk away. Arguments with family members. All that stuff. None of it matters. Before, I would try to understand or win the argument. Are you getting smarter as you get older? No. I'm getting tired. Describe your personal style. I like senior-forgiving sloppy pants. I still wear sweat suits. I look like a real bag lady when I go to Starbucks with my dog and get my chai. I am so grateful that I now have a small hunk of Chanel wardrobe from the film that will go anywhere. I must say, you don't strike me as someone who wears logos. Ha! No! But all the 12-year-olds know what type of bag you have these days. I couldn't tell you what a brand was when I was that age. I've still got these big glasses from "Guarding Tess" and these little girls stop me on the street and scream, "What is the brand?" Do you like the new Chanel styles? I like the real classic stuff. The simple black pants, the flats. Even the suits. They make rayon-cotton blends now. But a lot of that frilly stuff I saw down at the Chanel store is not for me. Have you met Karl Lagerfeld? I have not. He wanted me to come to Paris for a fitting, but I am sorry. No. If he takes off his sunglasses and the gloves, maybe I'll go to Paris. — LATWP |
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Playboy plays coy
While busty and blond gals rule the glossy pages of 'Playboy,' the man behind the magazine, Hugh Hefner, insists that he seeks girls with natural girl-next-door look for his magazine. The Playboy mogul said he hasn't changed his selection formula for a model since he conceived the men's magazine back in 1952.
"We don't go for glamour - what we are looking for is a very natural girl-next-door look. I think that's what set things at the very beginning - what set the Playmate centerfolds apart," Fox News quoted him, as saying. However, when asked who, according to him are the hottest women in the world right now, his answer was quite predictable. "Scarlett Johansson and Angelina Jolie," he said. |
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Back in Gere
Richard Gere is in negotiations to reunite with his 'An Officer and A Gentleman' co-star Debra Winger on Broadway. Gere is the favourite to replace Bill Pullman in the upcoming revival of Guess Who's Coming To Dinner? opposite Winger, reports FoxNews.com.
Pullman was forced to pull out of the production because of a reported scheduling conflict. If Gere accepts the role, it will be his first Broadway stint since he appeared in Bent in the early 1980s. The play is based on the beloved 1968 movie, which starred Kathryn Hepburn and Spencer Tracy as the concerned parents of a young woman who brings a black doctor home as her fiance. Amanda Bynes has been lined up to play the couple's daughter in the revival.— ANI
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Reviving ghazals
If you are wondering why Pattar waited for such a long time to come out with his book, the reason is simple—now it is the right time. Punjabi poetry is on the path of revival of its bygone glory and Punjabi ghazal is what everybody wants to listen to or hum during literary gatherings. “Well, it’s true that after Jagjit Singh, nobody has been able to make an impact in ghazal singing, and Punjabi ghazal is no better. As such, Punjabis have no riwaz of ghazal singing and those who are following it are based overseas. But now, richness in Punjabi poetry and people’s growing interest in ghazals is making the popularity of this class of poetry soar,” says Pattar, who was in city to release his book Sur Zameen on Wednesday. His nazms are broadly based on modern life and social conflicts besides emotions and spiritualism. “I like penning down ghazals as it gives me unlimited freedom to choose my subject,” he says. However, his next book will be on poetry. Accompanying him at the book release function was poet Sukhwinder Amrit, whose book Hazar Rangan di Laat was also released along with Pattar’s. Hers is also a compilation of ghazals and she took almost three years to come out with. Sukhwinder has also penned down three ghazal collections earlier and two on nazms. She strongly believes that ghazals are attracting more listeners as wherever she goes, people request her to render ghazals than poems. “Future of ghazals is very bright,” says Sukhwinder. Any particular theme she is dedicating herself to? “No, diversity is the essence of my work and this is exactly what Hazar Rangan …reflects,” she signs off to attend the joint book release function. An evening, which is sure to give a lift to the momentum the ghazal gayaki is already picking up.
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Bonding over books
Bibliophiles across America swear by the Oprah effect. A reading revolution swept across the country in the late 90s when the celebrity TV talk show host launched her Book Club. Since then, there has been an explosion in the number of reading groups not only in the USA but other countries too. The friendly trading of literary passions has become a ubiquitous phenomenon, with our city being no exception. The Reader's Club of British Library in Sector 9 meets every second Saturday to share the joys of reading. The group, which has a membership of around 20, has been meeting for the last four years. "The club is pretty democratic in it's functioning. We usually have a consensus on the choice of the book," quips Harneet Kaur of Sector 8. "The best part is our monthly meeting. Once the sandwiches and cookies are consumed, the really drama unfolds. The fact that we have members from different walks of life makes the interaction very enriching. I absolutely love it," she adds. "The participants read a book, see a documentary on it and then regroup over snacks or tea to talk about it. We have discussed everything from classics, bestsellers to contemporary writings," says Harinder Mohan Singh, a freelance writer and a businessman. "In an era when the virtual world is a mouse-click away and we are increasingly getting alienated from each other, book cultures are creating social units which really work," he adds. The club discussed Sudha Murthy's The Dollar Bahu and The Last Mughal by William Dalrymple lately. We also had video-conferencing sessions with the two authors, exclaims Mohan. The book that came up for last discussion was Midnight's Children, Rushdie's tome that recently got the Booker of Bookers prize. "A book lover can make himself comfortable in any corner, but talking about what you have read recently is a sheer joy. One also gets exposed to different viewpoints and different books that others are reading," says Manish Verma, vice-president of IT outsourcing, FIS."I love books and I come here not as a competitive professional but an unknown face looking for an exchange of literary knowledge," exclaims Verma. And how does he manage his 'book fling' in such a busy travelling schedule. "Well, one always finds time to do what is close to one's heart. Travelling means more time to read," he asserts. Joining the club was a chance thing for Dr Gaurav and Poonam Gupta. "We got to know the club was discussing Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. We could not stop ourselves knocking at their door. We wanted to know what others feel about it. It was really an interesting experience," says Dr Gaurav. His wife Dr Poonam proposed to discuss James Harriet in the next meeting and the members readily agreed. There is more good news for such book aficionados in city. The new-look Browser-8 is contemplating on re-starting the book club. "The renovation work is almost over. The Book Club, which had elicited a tremendous response from the members, will also be made functional soon," says tells Pankaj P Singh of Browser-8. The State Library-34 is also planning to start a Book Club. "We already have a children's book club which organises events to promote the reading habit among kids. We want a similar facility for the public too," says S. S. Cheema, in charge, children's section at the State Library. mona@tribunemail.com
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Scent of linen
Now, you needn't dab yourself with aroma oil or create a suitable ambienece for sleeping. These bed covers will surely put even the insomniacs to sleep. And this isn't it. You can add colour to your room by doing it up with a range of theme upholstery available in vibrant hues, and fine Japanese fabric. Adds Vipin, "you can make out the difference, the minute you see it. "The fabric is priced at Rs1, 000-1,200 per metre, but it's worth every inch. You can match the interiors and décor of the room, with curtains that will gel with the interiors." |
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Boy blues
One in five young men are deeply unhappy with their body image, according to one of Britain’s leading eating disorder expert. Dr John Morgan, who runs the Yorkshire Centre for Eating Disorders in Leeds, said that for every man with an eating disorder there were ten more who desperately wanted to change the way they looked.
“One in five young men have some degree of quite extreme distress,” BBC quoted him, as saying. Morgan said that he had also seen a significant rise in the number
of men with anorexia and bulimia. The official estimate for the number of men with an eating disorder stands at around 10-15 percent of all sufferers, but actual figure is much higher.
“We know that one in twenty young people suffer from some degree of disordered eating and that at least 15 percent of them are men and yet that’s a tip of an iceberg,” he said. “There are men who have problems with compulsive exercise and excessive bodybuilding who have an illness, but we haven’t defined them. Our definitions of illness have been focused on women, rather than men,” he added. In 2000, a report for the Eating Disorder Association found that not enough was being done to help care for men with eating disorders. Eight years on Morgan says that the situation has become worse. “When the report was written there were some units that had dedicated expertise in male eating disorders. A couple of these have now closed down,” he said. “There’s a lack of funding, a lack of interest. You’re dealing with a situation where you’re trying to develop a national service for men across the country, but the Health Service is now more focused on the local.” Seriously ill According to Morgan, images of male beauty in the media are part of the problem, and that there’s now just as much pressure on young men to look slim as there is on women. — ANI |
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Write to Renee
I am 17 years old, just through my high school exams. My life is in a dilemma as I am wondering if I should continue with my studies, which I have always dreamt or take up this very tempting job offer. I am very close to family and love to play the savior. My parents are very simple and anyone can fool them. My mother prays the whole day and thinks all her problems will be sorted through prayers. I have a demanding younger brother and money would be very welcome in such scenario. On the contrary I feel that if I studied further I could get a better job. I am not sure what to do. Help please.
— Reshma Ganju,
Chandigarh I am 29 years old. My passion in life was always to be an artist but I got discouraged from all quarters. I am now working in a school as an art teacher and derive satisfaction seeing my students’ progress. But now that my parents are pressurising me for marriage and my salary definitely is not good enough. I am really anxious about taking up a different job as in the present one I have time to paint when I go home after school. How will I do that if I take up a 10-6 job and one that uses up much of my time and energy? I am depressed and dejected. Is marriage important? What should I do? — Neel Malhotra,
Kurukshetra You seem to be unnecessarily psyching yourself with your own attitude. Cheer up, how can you sound so dejected. You must first know what you want in life. Make peace with your inner self and then this turmoil you are facing will settle down. If you want to be an artist then please walk along the path. It will not be an easy road, but then you will be responsible for making your life joyous or miserable. Go for what you really want, after all it is your life. Please take the decision for getting married only if you are ready for it. Why get into something that is stressing you even before you are there. Remember you can only make your parents happy if you are happy. So just calm down, think with a clear head and a light heart, and you will make a right decision. I am a 34 years old guy and my life is a wreck. I resigned from my job due to disagreement with my boss over a trivial matter. My girlfriend of five years just walked away and married someone else. My parents are always irritated with me, even my friends seem to be avoiding me. It feels as if the Gods are against me. I have no respite anywhere. I am a qualified MBA but the idea of job hunting seems to depress me and I am also running low on money. My problem is my raging temper that is why I cannot maintain a relationship. I am not that bad. How can I control my temper? I feel I have nowhere to go. Please help me. — Arun Ahluwalia,
Jalandhar You seem to really be viewing life from the downside. Can we just wear rose coloured spectacles for a while? So what if you don’t have a job for a while, you’re a qualified guy, you’ll find another one but retaining your job will only be possible if you will change your attitude. It seems that you take pride in feeling sorry for yourself. May be your imagination makes you believe that no one likes your. Do not become so overly sensitive to life. Just put yourself together and go and deal with life. Things do not happen on their own, you have to make then happen. Your resentment is also part of your anger process. These are childhood hassles we carry and burden ourselves with unnecessarily. Forgive those who have hurt you. Only then will the resentment within you calm down. Release your fears, no one is out to get you. You are loved by the universe. Do not be so harsh on yourself. Give yourself time, gentleness, peaceful pampering, you need it. Everything will be sorted once you are balanced and peaceful. at lifestyletribune@gmail.com or Life Style, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chd |
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The star parade at a party to launch the India Couture Week in Mumbai was a cocktail of dazzle, designs and divas
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If Shirley MacLaine and Coco Chanel fought over a parking spot, pearls would roll. "She was tough and she never backed down," says the Academy Award-winning actress, who's known for her own flammable personality and eccentric philosophy. The Parisian style icon died in 1971 at age 87. MacLaine, 74, plays her to the hilt in the Lifetime movie Coco Chanel.
Connoisseurs of Punjabi ghazals have multiple reasons to rejoice. First, Surjit Pattar’s third ghazal book is being released, which marked the end of 28-year-old hibernation of Pattar as a ghazal writer and second, the Chandigarh Book Fair is giving an impetus to this particular genre of literary work.
For those who feel that life is not a bed of roses, this is a must have for you. Bed covers, which give out fragrance the minute your hands touch it. Isn't that wow! Home Spell, The fine furnishing store at sector-22 brings to the city fragrance bed sheets. Offers Vipin Mahajan, managing director, who has the franchisee for Maishaa in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali, "These can be used as bed cum quilt cover. And this is for the first time that people can get to see such bed sheets. Priced at Rs 6900, these bed sheets come in three fragrances, which are produced through the warmth of your hands."
Your concern for your family is highly appreciable. If children were as respectful and concerned about their families as you, we would definitely be happier people. Anyways, I think you should continue with your studies and wait a while to be the breadwinner. I know it would be a real pleasure for you to provide for your parents and brother but also look a little further ahead and see yourself as a highly qualified professional, commanding great respect and a high salary. Life is about taking chances, but of course with careful thinking and planning. You have a whole lifetime ahead to provide, wouldn’t it be nice if you could use your potential to its maximum and provide wonderfully, make your family proud of your achievement. Prayer is the great answer to many things in life and if it gives solace to your mom, let her go ahead with it. Wait a while to work, trust me this decision of yours will be surely worth it.
