All those extra 'z's in Karzzz were putting me to sleep, till Minissha Lamba's remark, "I may have been born and brought up in a foreign country but I am very much Indian at heart", gave me a jolt.

Her comment came as a retort to Himesh Reshammiya's request for a live-in relationship. Well, I beg to differ with Minissha as someone who saw the emergence of what is known as SULFA culture in Assam in the early 90s. For the uninitiated, SULFA stands for the Surrendered United Liberation Front of Asom which ushered in the trend of living-in relationship in a big way.

After giving up arms, many women cadres began living in with their partners. The financial help the government provided cushioned their new life.

Living-in had become a way of life for all practical purposes and let me assure you there was no Western influence on those men or women. So, I failed to comprehend which part of India Minissha was talking about, especially when the Maharashtra government has made a move to 'legalise' the live-in relationship?

The Maharashtra Cabinet recently approved a proposal whereby women involved in such relationships for a 'reasonable period' would get the status of a wife.

The proposal was based on the recommendations of the Justice Mallimath Committee, which said if a man and a woman were living together as husband and wife for a reasonably long period, the man should be deemed to have married the woman according to customary rights of either party.

Curiosity goaded us to talk to some men and women in Chandigarh to find out the scene and their take on such a move. We identified a few respondents and the bravest of them turned out to be Rajwinder Singh Bains (does not mind giving out his name), a Punjab and Haryana High Court lawyer whose 10-year-long relationship culminated in a happy marriage.

"When you are in a relationship, you are emotionally married. So, a piece of paper hardly matters. And even if you want that legal piece of document and some celebrations it should come when you both have lived in together for some years and are absolutely sure that you want to carry it further," said Bains.

That was the personal side of him but what about the legal guy in him? Did he support the Maharashtra government's move?

"Well, when a relationship breaks, it breaks - marriage or living-in. But yes, a
woman needs security, especially if a child is involved. So by legitimising such a relationship, the government is not just recognising it but also providing a sense of security to the partners involved," he said, adding that Chandigarh, too, should take such a step.

Hailing this step as a positive development, Neeti (name changed) said, legalisation of living-in relationships would definitely safeguard the woman's interest.

"The Indian psyche is different and most of our men are not hesitant to cash in on the new-found women liberation (read their earnings). So, legalising it would put a stop to exploitation as now they would not be able to get away without owning their responsibility," she added.

For Neelam Mansingh, the noted theatre personality, legalisation of a relationship meant infringement of their personal choice. Yet, she was happy that with such a step, at least the government has accorded some recognition to the institution of living-in relationships.

At least it would save the couples some embarrassment as in most societies living-in was still a taboo. But did she see our City Beautiful couples asserting their rights?

"Well, Chandigarh may be considered a metro but we are still a very puritan city. Perhaps, it would take us some time to come out in the open and demand some kind of similar rights here."

She was right, for most of the living-in couples we tried to contact for comments refused point blank to talk except on conditions of anonymity. Maybe, parental pressure or maybe our approach was ill-timed. After all, the mehendi applied for the Karva Chauth was still fresh on most of their hands!

parbina@tribunemail.com

'The biggest adventure you can ever have is to live the life of your dreams and that's what I am doing," smiles this gossamer-skinned girl, Jonita Doda. "I am not bothered about the final destination, I just love the journey and the experience it offers." And if you are wondering what kind of experiences the girl is talking about, well, you need to take a close look at her repertoire. Bagful of commercials, television serials, films, Jonita is the new pretty face of tinselville and currently she is in the city, shooting for Chak Jawaana opposite Gurdas Maan.

Sounds wow! "It is," says Jonita, who was the host for Sahara's Comedy Champions. "This indeed is a great opportunity for me and I want to give it my best. It goes without saying that Gurdas Maan is a fabulous actor and there is no doubt that I will have so much to learn from him."

Before we ask her more on acting and how Mumbai is treating the dainty girl, how does it feel to be back in the city, of fresh bitumen-laden roads, green spaces and among people who have all the time in the world? "Great," pat comes the reply. "Mumbai undoubtedly is the city of dreams, but there is nothing like a clean and green Chandigarh. Besides, I am very attached to my family, so, I take the first flight back whenever I feel homesick."

Back to the city, which makes and breaks dreams, where you have to struggle for every inch of space, Mumbai, says Jonita, whose South Indian film Minchu is ready for release, "Mumbai is the city of stars and strugglers and I have adjusted to its ways." Talking about struggles, says the apni city di kudi,

"Thankfully I had some good work to my credit so I didn't have to run around. Nevertheless, whether it's a businessman or an actor, everyone has to give a presentation of their work, prove that they are credible enough. Lastly, if you are passionate about your dream, nothing can stop you."

But when it comes to acting, a trained actor is better than a fresher? Adds Jonita, who has couple of Hindi movie projects in the pipeline, "a trained actor has an edge over the freshers in some respects. A trained actor would know about the camera angles, wouldn't have problem in picking up dance steps. All the same, I believe that either you are born to act or don't." And she sure looks like someone with a lot of potential and looks too.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Fashion can be street smart, casual or classy. But ever heard of futuristic fashion? Or lets say techno-fashion. Well, good news for the geeks, who are generally considered low in fashion IQ, is that they can now have their own haute couture to follow. Brado, a Hongkong based techno giant has launched two new gizmos- Brado Rock sunglasses and GSM Watchphone.

Sunglasses and watches don't exactly sound like gizmos, right? But thanks to the CII fair in the city, for bringing home the trendy gizmos to boost your style quotient. Well, unlike the usual sunglasses that are high on fashion, we here saw MP3 Bluetooth Sunglasses, which is also a digital Bluetooth walkman of generation next that supports all kinds of music formats.

Says Gaurav, marketing head of Brado, " It's a unique product for the Indian market. Enabling 4-5 bluetooth connectivity at a time, it makes a fashion statement as well." Sure, and apart from being a treat for the eyes, it brings to you music as well. That's fashion for all senses!

GSM watchphone is another cool gadget to look out for. It is a perfect example of an array of functions in gadgets that can take people by surprise. A watch cum mobile phone with a built in A2DP Bluetooth capability, it serves the purpose of MP3 player as well. Also it has high-resolution camera function.

One more unique feature of the watch is the backlit keypad located on the watchstrap allows the user to place quick and easy phone calls. So here you have a stylish and trendy chunky straped watch for some 'time-calling'. That's quick calls and quick fashion!

Well, with more such style friendly gizmos, the geek world is sure to get bitten by the fashion keeda.

Brado Rock Sunglasses:
Customer price: Between Rs. 6000- Rs. 8000
Size - 172x 160x 40 mm
Power: Rechargable lithium battery
Data transferring interface: USB 2.0, High Speed
Storage Media: Onboard flash memory - 1 GB
Music playing time - 5 hours
Charging Time - 3 hours
Bluetooth v 1.2 , with effective distance of 6 to 10 meters
Flexible Wire HGeadphone can be fixed within an angle of 270 degrees.

GSM Watchphone
Customer price: Rs. 16999
Dual Bluetooth
1.3 mnegapixels camera
Stand by time: 100 hours
Talking time: 3 hours
MP3/Videoplayer/FM Radio
GPRS/Internet
1GB expandable memory
PC Connectivity
Accessories: 2 batteries + Blutooth charging cable+ Phone charging cable + earphone cable+ Travel Charger + Manual Warranty card + Memory Card - 1 GB

lifestyle@tribunemail.com

He started his musical career at the age of nine. At 18, he took part in his first production at the Royal National Theatre entitled 'Wicked Yaar'. Been there and done that HunterZ, is an English urban musician with Arabic, Hindi and Bhangra influences. While fusion music is his forte, in city to release his third album The Masterpiece, we talk to HunterZ about past, present and future.

Born in a family of musicians, this apna munda from Jalandhar is born and brought up in UK, but says has a strong connect with Punjabi and Hindi music. "I took up music seriously at the age of six. At nine, I was playing a number of music instruments like tabla, harmonium and drums."

Ask him how was he was christened HunterZ, and he says, "My real name is Alveen, but I got the name HunterZ from my uncle when I was six-years-old. The Z followed later, as we are four brothers and all of us are into music."

A trained Indian classical musician, HunterZ studied Guitar from Institute of London. "I was always interested in music, but I 'formally' stepped into commercial music in 1999-2002 as a producer for Stereo Nation's smash hit album Slave II Fusion. In 2003 I released my debut album 'Most Wanted', as a singer, followed by my compilation album Phat Trax Vol. 1: Blazin a year later."

About the album 'The Masterpiece' adds the versatile musician; " This album will see me as a musician and singer. The album is a fusion of Eastern and Western music. It has all kinds of tracks, from bhangra, Arabic to a Punjabi tadka."

With a work like this, future is pretty happening. "I will be doing an album with Apache Indian and Rishi Rich."

Talk bollywood. "I am open for all kind of music, and if any offers come my way I am ready to take on my Bollywood journey."

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

Meditate and you will get what you desire. All right, we know this spiritual fact, but let us ponder over something else this time. The big question is to desire what we rightfully deserve because we might end up asking for things that are too frivolous for us.

"Know thy self", says Rishi Vidhyadhar, in a clam and composed voice synonymous with the most spiritual gurus, "Meditate in a childlike manner, with innocence, free of emotions and thoughts. This will make clear what you deserve and what are you capable of."

In town to conduct the Art of Living part two course, he talks to us about spirituality and meditation and their connotations- peace, joy and love in detail. "As human beings we always doubt ourself, but when it comes to our inefficiencies, we don't want pinpointing them. Meditation brings in clarity of mind, boosts internal energy and makes us confident of ourselves."

Other than meditation, the organisation has brought to fore, the age-old spiritual concept of sewa and satsang. On their relevance, he opines, "Sewa makes you a part of the world and satsang gives you the feel that you are part of one big family. This is an antidote for depression as well".

Taking cue from what he mentioned, we ask him about the bhajans with techno beats. "Don't they sound pleasant? Even when they are so different from the old ragas. All the same, it has pulled in a lot of youngsters into the organisation."

And he strongly feels that youth need AOL. "We teach the youngsters how to handle professional and emotional challenges."

So, has meditation become more of a fad? "A requirement, a necessity of life, he says. You can't do without it if you want your life to be balanced. Meditation is like a live jacket, which need when you are on a ship and like a parachute when on plane."

We certainly couldn't have got a better answer from the man who naturally attracted everybody attention present there with his apt answers. Next, he talks about sanyasa being wrongly associated with spirituality.

"People perceive that turning towards spiritual will make their family a secondary thing. But, we teach people to feel 'more' responsible towards their family and also about others around. Ignoring responsibilities is not spirituality," says guruji with a poised smile.

The excitement of the festive season is upon us. Move over traditional sweets and mithai, bring in the excitement of new tastes to enjoy and share throughout the season. Always tuned into its customer's needs and desires, Café Coffee Day, India's premier and largest chain of coffee cafés brings in Diwali Hampers this festive season.

The hamper is an ideal gift for coffee connoisseurs. The conceptual packaging and customization of the hamper will avail the customers to choose as per their taste and likings, giving them complete freedom to indulge in products of their preference.

Commenting on Café Coffee Day's latest customer value initiative, Bidisha Nagaraj, President - Marketing, said, "During the festive season people enjoy eating sweets and salty snacks. The gift hamper from Cafe Coffee Day brings in a total new form of enjoyment to our consumers. In addition the attractive packaging makes it an excellent gift to proudly share with others."

The hampers will be available from October 2008 to December 2008 at all Café Coffee Day outlets across the region.

Former Miss India and Bollywood actress Celina Jaitley couldn't have asked for more. First, she landed a role in Hollywood film Quest of Sheherzade and now she will team up with Oscar winner Sean Connery in the international project based on Arabian Nights.

Quest of Sheherzade is scheduled to go on floors in January and also stars Orlando Bloom of Pirates Of The Caribbean fame. It will be directed by Ken Khan, the technical director of fantasy adventure film Lord of the Rings.

"The story is based on Arabian Nights and they are planning to start the shooting from January next year. I am in a contract and can't talk much about the movie," she said.

Quest of Sheherzade is not her first international project. Celina plays the lead in New Zealand-Australian venture Love Has No Language by the same director. In Love Has No Language, the former Miss India is cast as an Indian girl born and brought up in New Zealand. She is cast opposite Australian actor Ben Mitchell.

"It was very difficult to speak in Kiwi English as they speak in a completely difficult and weird accent. Neither do they speak like Australians nor like the British," Celina said.

"It took me 10 days to sit constantly with my trainer to learn the correct accent. She sat with me day and night and spoke to me in her accent which made it possible for me to get it right," Celina added.

Celina said though she is working in Hollywood films, her first love will always be the Hindi film industry.

"For me Bollywood is my priority. This is where I was born and want to die. It gives me maximum pleasure dancing and singing. In fact, I was missing song sequences when I was shooting for Love has...," said the actress, who debuted with Janasheen in 2003.

She feels her performance in Vikram Bhatt's Red helped her bag the international projects as the makers of the movies signed her after seeing the film that also starred Aftab Shivdasani.

"I was very hurt when Red did not work. I took it personally and thought I wasn't ready for serious films," said Celina, who will also be seen in Rohit Shetty's comedy Golmaal Returns.

Celina thinks comedy is her forte and does not want to experiment much with other genres. "I am good at comedy and people have also liked me in comedy films. So why should I experiment with other things? I am satisfied and happy doing comedies; so are my fans. The other projects Celina has signed on include Mukta Arts' Paying Guest and Hello Darling, Aditya Datt's Chaai Garam, Tigmanshu Dhulia's Showman and Ashtavinayak's Run Bhola Run."

British director Danny Boyle says unlike City of Joy and Salaam Bombay, his film Slumdog Millionare does not portray people living in Indian slums as poor and desperate.

"The word slum in my film's title has not been used in quite the obvious way. Working in the so-called slum areas of Mumbai, I found it a fantastically organised place to go. The people were hugely generous," Boyle said.

"They are a huge community of very dignified and warm people. I hope my film has captured their dignity. They're not portrayed as poor and desperate people in my film. I think people in India should see the film before they judge it," he added.

Loosely based on Vikas Swarup's best-selling novel "Q and A", the film was shot in Mumbai. Other international crew may have a different story to tell. But Boyle, who made films like Trainspotting, The Beach and 28 Days Later, has gone back swearing by the city.

Asked if Mumbai was fully peaceful for him, he said: "I don't know whether 'peaceful' would be the right word. For me, it was a very happy experience. I got so attached to the city, they had to stop me from filming and push me out of Mumbai. The only way to make a film based on Mumbai is to accept how extraordinarily complex and interesting the city is.”

"If you go from the outside to make a film in Mumbai thinking you'd be fully in control of the situation and blah blah, the film would never get made. If you trust and respect the city, it delivers back to you ten-fold." Boyle hopes US-based Indian filmmaker Mira Nair would be able to make her second film on Mumbai Shantaram after Salaam Bombay.

"If Slumdog Millionaire works for a mainstream audience, international studios would be encouraged to make mainstream films. Slumdog Millionaire has got a big heart, so I don't see why it should not work for a global audience. There's a line in the film where a character says, 'India has become the centre of the world now'. People outside are now warming up to India," said Boyle.

He has now spoken to Anil Kapoor, who makes a guest appearance in Slumdog Millionare, about making another film in Mumbai.

"Yes, I did speak to Anil Kapoor about making another film. And if all goes well, I'll be back to do another film. It's such an amazing city. He's a wonderful actor. But he never forgets his producers' hat. He's always surveying the situation, cutting deals. I might be coming back.”

"I had a seriously amazing time. One reason why the film works is the city's vivacity that we've captured on screen. It's been a while since we saw Mumbai in this light."

Model-actor Ashish Choudhury and Neha Uberoi who star in the Suneil Shetty and Ekta Kapoor's EMI backed out at the last moment as the outfits provided to them by designer duo Shantanu-Nikhil did not fit.

"I did not walk the ramp as the clothes did not fit me. It is not proper for an actor to walk the ramp if the clothes provided do not fit them properly and are not comfortable," Choudhury said.

"Even Neha did not like her clothes and decided to stay away from the ramp," Choudhury added.

Choudhury said he had given his measurements over the telephone and there was no initiative from the designer's side to arrange for a trial.

"At the last moment it was too late to make any adjustments and so we decided to stay away from the show," Choudhury said.

The ramp walk was a part of the promotional campaign for the film and was organised by the renowned diamond and jewellery manufacturers Gitanjali - the brand association partner for the movie.

Sources said even Sameera Reddy, who is one of the brand ambassadors for Gitanjali, backed out of the ramp due to similar reasons.

However, the producer-actor Suneil Shetty along with his wife Manna Shetty and Aashish Choudhury sat through the whole show.

"We don't have any ill feeling against anyone and decided to sit through the show as it did not make any sense in walking out with ill feelings," Choudhury explained.

Madonna will receive custody of her three children in the divorce settlement with soon-to-be ex-husband Guy Ritchie, according to reports published in Britain. Madonna and Ritchie, who recently announced their divorce publicly, had reached agreement over custody of their three children, reports the NZPA.

Madonna will have custody of her daughters Lourdes, 12, from a previous relationship, as well as the couple's eight-year-old biological son Rocco and their three-year-old adopted son David, the paper reported.

According to reports, the singer would take the children with her to the US, but Ritchie would have "broad access" to David and Rocco.

Ritchie is expected to receive up to 60 million pounds in the divorce settlement. The British helmer plans to buy a home in New York so he can see his children.

It seems Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer are back together; at least that's what their recent pictures suggest. The Friends star and the shaven-headed playboy singer were recently snapped together leaving the Sunset Tower Hotel in Hollywood after dinner.

The couple again went out the following night, and celebrated John's 31st birthday. "They looked very much like a couple," a source said.

In August, John dumped Aniston after dating her for almost three and a half months. — IANS, ANI