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Desi wrap after firang beats THIS could be a little disheartening for those who come to 'watch' the cheerleaders sway and shake their booty. Well people, they are here again to perform at the ICL, but this time they're all clothed. (Remember the controversy about skimpily clad IPL cheerleaders last season?) So, no skin show here. Neat, clean and completely cheerful cheering. What say, girls? "Absolutely," smiles 24-years-old Raiya from Mumbai, who is also into modelling. “I enjoy cheering the crowd. It is so energising and so much fun as well." She adds, "We have performed in different cities, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Gurgaon and now, Chandigarh, and we have received a great response from the spectators." Which have been the most 'decent' cities so far? Says shy looking Anamika, "Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. People behaved decently. But Gurgaon was sad. The crowds hooted and passed obnoxious comments, which I can't even share." Chips in yet another smiling face amongst the 12 girls, Uma Wani, "It will take a long time for India to accept cheerleaders. To them this is something new and they aren't prepared to see girls cheer for respective teams." Her friend Ritika adds, "Abroad, people are okay with it. In fact, no Grand Prix or football league is complete without cheerleaders." Maybe India, too, will accept you, girls. So, what are the songs that they love to dance to. "Any," the girls say in chorus. "We like to groove to any number. But as per the format of the team, we dance to the theme song of the respective side playing that particular day. In addition to this, a new Bollywood number is played for every four and six." As the girls get ready to cheer the audience in Chandigarh, we ask them what it takes to be a cheerleader. "Passion for the game and confidence," says Amanda Fernandes. "I love cricket, so the cheering comes naturally to me." Lastly, she adds, before stepping on the stage, "Synchronisation is a must." jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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Where there's a Wills there's a way FOR
seven long years, 'together' they nurtured a dream that wasn't easy to realise and today, when it has taken a tangible form, they believe it is a mere beginning. "We still have a long way to go but what makes us content is the fact that we have been able to locate the final destination where we want to head," come the words in unison from Delhi-based fashion designers, Nandita Raipurani and Hemant Lalwani. Basking in the success of having showcased their collection at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, the duo was in town to inspire and give some subject knowledge to the students of their alma mater, NIFT, Mohali. And they are loving the new role (though just for a day) of playing a teacher here. "Coming back to the institute reminds us of all the fantasising we used to do. Participating in WLIFW was one of them and that's what we are asking students to do: dream, but also remain focused to make it all come true," avers Hemant. Next, he talks about how worthwhile it was being at the WFW, a benchmark in their career. "It was a thrilling experience to share a platform with the celebrities of the fashion world. Also that is the apt place where your talent and hard work gets noticed." Juxtaposing their creations with the likes of Tarun Tahliani, Rohit Bal and Raghvendra Rathore, they didn't feel like underdogs at all. "It is an event where every designer, big or small, has to prove his credentials again. Experience matters here but with that quality and innovation in work are equally important." So, what does it take to get you going in the highly competitive fashion scenario? "An individual style statement speaks for your designs on the ramp." Agreeing with her design as well as real-life partner, Nandita Raipurani adds, "Originality matters. Even if you are a fresher, the work is bound to win applause if it has a different style statement and promises exclusivity." Coming to a less serious subject, we asked the lady who has done her postgraduation from here, the style quotient of Chandigarh. "The people of Chandigarh are more brand conscious than fashion conscious. They prefer brands over designer wear, which instead offers exclusivity and better styling depending on the body type." She feels that besides the trousseau collection, people should opt for designer wear more frequently. And what are they now aiming for? 'Together' once again they say, "We wish to showcase our creations at the Milan and London fashion weeks." Fusion Fashion What made up their collection at WLIFW? "Our work is the fusion of western and ethnic designing, in which we have done embroidery, patchwork and paint, and dabka work, which we have tried to bring back in fashion,"says Nandita What's
hot this season? Answers Hemant, "Grey is the colour of the season. Also, in western wear, high-waist trousers and skirts have making a comeback big time." |
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Acting with Abhi is Ash Aishwarya Rai
is excited about teaming up with hubby Abhishek Bachchan for Mani Ratnam's next film but is reluctant to reveal much about the movie. "It's a really exciting thought for me and Abhishek to be coming together again with Mani Ratnam. All I can say about the film is that it goes into a completely different theme from Guru," Aishwarya, who turns 35 Saturday, said. "You can't expect Mani sir to go into the same space twice. Working with him is an exciting thought for any actor. The way he connects to his actors is very clear in the films that he makes. He creates magic on screen," she added. Aishwarya considers Guru, in which she paired with Abhishek, a very precious experience. "It has been a very precious experience on every level, and not just on a personal level. I'd say it was professionally very fulfilling." The last couple of months have been very hectic for the actor. "I had joined Abhishek in Jaipur where he was shooting for Dilli 6. Then I was with him in Miami for Dostana. I also packed in Cannes and Paris. Life is beautiful. It really is. You know, life is as special as you make it for yourself. Of course, you can't live your life in a bubble. There're people who want to rain on your parade. It's up to you how you protect your space," said Aishwarya. She is also doing Shankar's Robot and has teamed up with Tamil superstar Rajnikant in the movie. It got delayed because the film's writer passed away in February this year, thereby pushing the project back by some months. "After Sujatha sir's sad demise, the project got delayed slightly. People chose this tragedy as an occasion to spread all kinds of rumours when the fact is death slowed down Robot. But we're back on track, though now we need to work on a tighter schedule." Explaining why the film needs extra planning, she said: "Robot has loads of special effects. And the film will be using a lot of crew from overseas. Clearing another misconception about Robot, she said: "People seem to think its in Tamil and Hindi. But it's only in Tamil." Tell her she's now equipped to direct a film, and Aishwarya laughs."Everyone says that. I don't know, maybe one day." |
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LIGHT WEIGHT AD filmmaker-cum-director Dibakar Banerjee hit the jackpot with his directorial debut Khosla Ka Ghosla, a dark comedy centred on the real estate mafia. Now he is ready with his second film Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! and says he had to study criminals' minds to make the comedy. Banerjee, who has an eye for detail, said: "My new film required me to know the psyche of criminals since Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye is about a thief in Delhi who wants to be famous. He (the thief) wants to live a luxurious life and at the same time yearns to become the talk of the town." While Khosla Ka Ghosla starred talented actors like Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Ranveer Shorey and Vinay Pathak, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye has Abhay Deol as the protagonist along with Neetu Chandra and Paresh Rawal. The film is scheduled for a November release. "We decided upon Abhay because we wanted someone to take on the role of a charismatic North Indian thief, convincingly. Abhay had the guts to take risks and do the kind of films that he liked. He has so far stayed away from formula and has a niche audience. That's what I really like in him," Banerjee said. "Apart from that, Abhay is a fantastic actor," he added. The audience will see Paresh in a triple role in the film. "Two of his characters are named Brijkishore Handa and Googie Arror. I can't tell you the name of the third character because it will give away the story completely. Paresh is a brilliant actor; there are no two ways about that. Plus he is always on the lookout for interesting subjects," Banerjee said. He also revealed that Paresh wanted to be a part of his first film, Khosla Ka Ghosla. "But that time nothing materialised, so we kept in touch and finally decided to work together in this film. It is a challenging role and that's what encouraged Paresh the most," averred Banerjee. Banerjee undertook a meticulous research and consulted various TV clippings, news reports, magazine articles and other written material for his new film to make it realistic. Commenting upon why he chose comedy for both his films, Banerjee said: "I don't think Khosla Ka Ghosla should be typecast as a comedy film. It did have a humorous streak but the issue in the film was very serious. Similarly, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye too has a comic approach but it deals with a grave issue. It will compel people to think." The director has yet again chosen Delhi as the backdrop for his film, just like in his debut movie. "Since I grew up in Delhi, I definitely give preference to Delhi-based stories. I know the city and the culture. Plus, Delhi seemed suitable city for both my movies." While he always wanted to make films, Banerjee admits advertising helped him in "honing his skills as a director" as it provided a training ground for him. Hence, he has no plans of discontinuing making ad films. Banerjee considers directors like Shyam Benegal, Ketan Mehta, Vishal Bharadwaj, Ram Gopal Varma, David Dhawan and Anurag Kashyap as his favourites "for their gutsy and intense approach to films" and would love to work with actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Mohan Lal, Madhuri Dixit and even Konkana Sen-Sharma. Banerjee is also interested in making a period drama but is currently focusing on a political thriller, which is expected to release next year. |
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Bollywood actors 'gang up' to shoot for Loot, a forthcoming film that revolves around four ambitious people who, in a hurry to make a quick buck, team up to rob a person in Bangkok. Actor Suniel Shetty, who is producing Loot under the banner Popcorn Entertainment, is extensively shooting for the film in Mumbai apart from the sequences that would be shot in Bangkok. Shetty, who is also acting in the movie, said that he is finding it difficult to match to the moves of the experienced dancers like actor Govinda, critically acclaimed dancer, Javed Jaffrey and Mimoh Chakraborty, son of film star Mithun Chakraborty. Speaking about Loot, Shetty said, "In the film we are going to rob a Bangkok based businessman just to realise that the entire underworld is trying to rob us and then the movie takes a turn as to how we come out of this trouble. This is what loot is all about." Govinda, said that though the title of the movie is one with a negative meaning, the story spells a positive message. "People feel that working hard is not a way out and they feel that finding a shortcut to make money is an easy way out. But the movie tells you that the happiness that it gives you when you work hard is incomparable," said Govinda. The film was in news months back as Shetty had cut a lucrative deal with the Philippine government. Earlier also, he had made a deal with the government in Turkey for the critically acclaimed film 'Mission Istanbul'. The film was completed in around a month's and currently the cast is shooting for the songs.
—IANS, ANI |
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Test drive For Madhur Bhandarkar, every film is an experiment FOR acclaimed Bollywood director Madhur Bhandarkar, every film he makes is an experiment and it is the research work that gives him the kick. "For me, every film I make is like experimental cinema," Bhandarkar, the man behind films as Page 3, Corporate, Traffic Signal, Chandni Bar, Satta and fashion, said, "I like the work I do because, one, my cinema is very different and, two, because I work on so much research. I really like the process of making films," he said. "Fashion is not about fashion industry as such. It only has fashion as a backdrop. The film is more about the story of models, designers and people connected with the fashion industry. And it is on aspects like the personal story, the individual story, their ups and downs, their journey that I tried to capture," he explained. Former beauty queen Priyanka Chopra is playing the main lead in the movie, which also has models like Arjan Bajwa and Mugdha Godse. Fashion revolves around the rise and fall and phoenix-like rebirth of the country's number one supermodel Meghna Mathur played by Priyanka. Bhandarkar said it took almost two years to make Fashion. "Fashion took me two years actually 18-19 months. One year in making the film, the rest in executing the shooting and all," he said. Asked which of his films has been professionally the most satisfying, he said: "All the films. Every film has its own journey, own point of view. I explore a genre of cinema, which I really like. Whether it is Fashion, Corporate, Page 3 or Chandini Bar, all different genres of cinema I like to get hold of .” |
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Poster colour WHAT is dead is gone, as they say. But for those who want to feel the nostalgia of Hindi cinema of the 40s, 50s and the hippy 70s, here's a chance to do so. People for Animals, Chandigarh presents 'Divas Unveiled', an exhibition-cum-sale of old Bollywood posters at the Government Museum and Art Gallery-10. With over 150 handmade or printed posters from more than 50 films on display, the exhibition is an effort to recreate the magic and old-world charm of Hindi cinema. And how? "Each poster highlights one particular star that celebrates his or her golden period and also reflects on the type of cinema," says Payal Sodhi, the organiser of the exhibition. So you have the legendary showman, Raj Kapoor's golden jubilee films - Mera Naam Joker, Shree 420, Awaara and Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai and milestone films like Leader, Johny Mera Naam, Maanzil and most successful religious movies of that era like Mahabharat and Veer Bhimsen. "We have the poster of Alam Ara, the first talkie of Indian cinema and landmark movies like Aan, Bahu Begum, Aurat and many more," says Payal. More than 98 per cent of these posters are first editions and belong two collectors' from Mumbai. If the 40s is dominated by Raj Kapoor and religious dramas, the 50s and 60s has Rajinder Jubilee Kumar, Dilip Kumar and the superstar Rajesh Khanna, the 70s belonged to the angry young man, Amitabh Bachchan, standing tall in Bombay to Goa, Trishul and Sholay. One of unique poster is of the movie Kati Patang, an original form that era. Almost a dying art now, these posters show the evolution of Bollywood with a few recent additions like Lagaan, Chak De India and Om Shanti Om. "These are preserved lot as these come from an era when offset printing was not there. Sadly, the industry is not acknowledging this art form," says Payal. She adds that these posters have a huge market in Europe and fetch high prices at auctions. "The scene in the country is changing though, with some of these posters being sold from anything between Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000," she adds. And no prizes for guessing the most expensive of the lot. "Sholay," says Payal. "The other popular ones include Mother India and Mughal-e-Azam," she says. Talking about the association with PFA, she says, "As an NGO, we need to generate resources. So, we organise art exhibitions, plays and celebrity dinners often in Delhi and Mumbai. This is the first time that an exhibition of such posters has been organised in the city." And there is an incentive for those who buy this preserved art. You get a tax exemption certificate on your purchase. So, get ready and experience the nostalgia of the wonder years of cinema. lifestyle@tribunemail.com |
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Bird's eyeview Ley karkhuloos-e-dil gye,ham toh jahan jahan, Poochha nazr nazr ne ye Hamdam kahan ke hain? Many poetry lovers were mesmerised by entrancing poetic spells of Panchkula-based B.D. Kalia Hamdam at Mushairas. Now, his popularity transcends to the flora and fauna too with the release of his seventh literary treatise Vishav Pakshi Kavi Sammelan, which offers a comprehensive coverage, critical appreciation and review of poetic renditions at an International poetic symposium. The book, a project of the Haryana Forest Department, has brought into focus the burning ecological issues like environment upkeep, pollution, animal care, mutual harmony and co-existence with suggestive measures in an innovative style, laced with humour, satire and philosophical connotations. The book was released by chief secretary Dharamvir and K.K. Khandelwal. Hamdam graduated from Tukbandis to fiction under the tutelage of Dr O.P. Aggarwal Zar Allami. Young Buadas Kalia reminisced Ustad's admiration for his first couplet which read Rooh badlegi 'Hamdam' nya pairhan/ maut se phir milegi nyi zindagi…' However, he kept on transforming his experiences into writings in four languages which established Hamdam as a popular poet and fiction writer. Starting with an award-winning Urdu novel Kis Naamse Pukaroon..' Hamdam penned Duur-e-Nayab Khushboo, followed by Doop ka Awaran, Mehrab-e- Fann, Sukhanwar, a collection of ghazals in Urdu and Hindi. He has received awards from the Haryana and Punjab governments and other literary organisations. His ghazals are an outlet for the sentiments of a human soul. The falling ethical standards has deeply touched the sensibility of Hamdam and his anguish comes out in this verse Ye sikhaya hai faqat iss daur ke qanoonne / dastkhat jis par hein mere voh byaan mera nahin...' Another novel Khushboo-Khushboo in Hindi won him an award from Department of Punjab Language. His records of his visits to the USA,UK and Indian states has come out in shape of a book Rishte Sagar Paar Ke. He cites the participation in Sham-e-Faiz at London University and a symposium at the cultural centre, South Hall, as memorable moments. Hamdam salutes contemporary writers and proponents of Urdu and signs off with a couplet Maukoof kuchh hameen pe nahin raunaq-e-adab/ Khidmat guzaar aur bhi Urdu Zubaan ke hain.." lifestyle@tribunemail.com
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Appetit Thinner dinner Kandla Nijhowne THE downside of Diwali is the noticeable upswing flickering on our weighing scales, weighing us down further with remorse and regret. I had one laddoo too many and now I'm looking like Lord Ganapati myself, with both me and my jeans bursting at the seams! Low-calorie food does not have to be boring or bland. With some imagination you can skimp on calories without affecting taste or flavour. Here are some pointers to help whittle down the post-Diwali silhouette - n
Switch over to salted munchies, using high-fibre flour such as bajra or soya flour along with
atta. n
Add green leafy vegetables such as methi, palak coriander or mint to salted snacks. n
Bake salted snacks instead of frying them. n
Bake cutlets or kebabs instead of frying them. n
Don't fry papads ever! They are just as good roasted on a gas flame. n
Serve meals with rotis or pulkas or steamed rice instead of puris, parathas and
pullaos. n
Consume nuts in their natural form instead of their fried, salted or sugared version. n
Make halwas and kheers with skimmed milk. For richness, stir in some low-fat milk powder. n
Have rasgullas instead of gulab jamuns. Other less fattening Diwali sweets include sandesh and
pedas. n
Restrict gulping down alcohol and soft drinks, as they are high in calories. Instead, opt for fresh lime with sweetener or salt. n
We tend to consume 50 per cent more calories when we socialise with relatives and friends. I hardly dare advocate you become a recluse but be on your guard while partying. Putting it briefly it would mean - Muh par lagaam, zubaan par lagaam! Magical non-fried vadas ½ teacup moong dal (with skin) 2 green chilies 1 tbsp grated ginger A pinch of asafoetida ½ teaspoon soda bi-carb or fruit salt 2 teacups yoghurt ½ tsp roasted cumin powder Salt, chilli powder and fresh dhaniya to taste Method Soak the moong dal for three to four hours. Drain. Add the green chilies and ginger and blend in a mixer with very little water. Add the asafoetida and soda bi-carb and mix well. Heat a non-stick sandwich toaster and spread one to two tbsp of the mixture in each cavity. Snap shut and allow to cook till puffed and browned. When ready, the mixture will be toasted into triangular shaped pieces, which you may slice into halves if you choose to. Dip the toasts in water for five minutes. Thereafter, squeeze out the water and arrange the vadas on a plate. Beat the yoghurt with the salt, pepper and roasted jeera. Pour over the vadas and garnish with dhaniya leaves.
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