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Master of make over
A name synonymous to Bollywood, colours and traditional Indian wear, Manish Malhotra is one of the few designers who have managed to balance the delicate relationship of costume designing and mainstream designing. Having given a new lease of life to actors like Urmila in Rangeela and Karishma in Raja Hindustani, Manish believes in the power of styling. In city to launch his festive collection at Samsaara, Taj-17, the designer spoke of style, colours, textures and his association with bollywood. Zoom in
On what brings him to the city, and is this his first visit, the designer says, “No I have been here before. I was infact here recently for a movie shoot and now it’s the launch of my collection that brings me back again.” Talk festive collection and he elaborates, “ I would say, it’s a bridal collection, but it’s not all about lehngas and saris, it’s a wedding wear that anyone can pick including the bride to be.” In true Manish style the clothes are in bright hues, sequins and tassels on sheer, free flowing silhouettes, boho chic kurtis and kaftans with sparkle and a few coats and jackets in a mix of fabrics and knits. While the label plays strongly on colour and texture, with soft fabrics, Manish’s collection sure strikes a perfect balance between prêt and haute couture. And about being labeled as a designer who lays great importance on embroidery and traditional Indian wear he says, “Its here only that designers have to present a diverse collection. I say every designer should play with varied ideas, but stick to what he is best at. And I am good at Indian wear so I maintain that.” It was over 18 years ago that Manish started designing costumes for films, on his association with bollywood he says, “ I am proud to say that it was me who initiated the change in how actors looked on screen. In late 80’s and early 90’s people could never connect to what actors wore on screen. I must say it was me who toned down the clothes to a wearable range. And today its bollywood that people look up to for fashion.” On his association with Karan Johar he says, “Every one likes to be associated with like minded people and Karan is one of them.” Best known for his innovative cuts and wide colour palette, Manish is said to be the only person who has the ability to create a look for a character. And having designed for Bollywood biggies like Big B, Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji and Shilpa Shetty to name a few, we ask how does he decide on a look for movie. “Every movie is different and so is the character. Minute details like which state or city a character belongs to or what his/her profession is to be kept in mind. In Jab We Met, Kareena was playing a Punjabi girl so I couldn’t have dressed her in fitted silhouettes or smart dresses. Her character had to have a little Punjabi thadka, so it was there.” Talk of Priyanka Chopra and her sexy look in Dostaana and he says, “I had to give her a fashionable look. And the character is a fashion journalist so there was a chance to play up with lots of colours and silhouettes. Though Priyanka was apprehensive about wearing bright colours, but the role demanded that and I must say the end result is
stunning.” Ask him about his long cherished dream to direct a movie and he says, “I always wanted to direct a movie, but one needs a lot of time to make a movie. And I have everything but time to direct. But hoping against hope I am still hopeful to make one.” Manish was also associated with Nerolac and launched ‘Nerolac Colour Styles’ with a fashion show depicting the moods with the drapes of various hues, on his association he says, “Colours excite me. As a child I would paint and sketch, and it was because of my interest in colour that I associated with them.” Global repute
On Indian designers gaining a global reputation he says, “There is a huge change that the fashion industry is witnessing. There is a lot of demand for Indian glamour, colour and culture. We have too much to flaunt and I think that is being noticed.” But lamenting that Indian designers have no company backing them, he says, “We guys are doing all the things ourselves, right from designing to managing the show and even making payments to tailors, designers abroad have international brands backing them and all they need to do is concentrate on their designs and creativity.” With hands full of work, Manish is presently working for Karan Johar’s, My Name is Khan, Main aur Mrs Khanna, Hadipa, Shortcut and Robot, for which he would be
dressing Rajnikant and Aishwarya.” jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com |
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Singing Queen, after Kinng
Year 2003. A teen singer created sensation by getting nominated for all the possible awards in the best female playback singer category. And she went on winning the whopping eight titles, including the national award. That’s how the beautiful and extremely talented young crooner Shreya Ghoshal announced her entry in Bollywood. Five years on, she has the same child-like innocence and that ethereal voice. In the tricity to perform in the Carnival organised by CITCO, Big FM and Sahara Care, Shreya is pretty excited: “Earlier Chandigarh has been a transit for me, but this time is special as I get to entertain city audience.” Talking about her latest projects, Yuvvraaj, Singh is Kinng and soon to come Ghajini, Shreya is happy to be the leading lady of Bollywood playback singing: “I love it. Whenever I have to record a song, I sing with the same zest as if it was my first song. When sung with heart and soul it definitely strikes a chord with the audience. And then Bollywood provides a platform to experiment with various forms of music.” Talking about reality shows she says: “ Well, I am a small town girl and TV gave me an opportunity to present my talent to the world. But that’s not all, a lot of other efforts have been put in too.” How about being a participant and later a judge on the TV? “I judged a reality show almost a year back and it was fun since it was a kid show. I gelled well with them.” With Punjabi music making it big in Bollywood, Shreya is happy to have recently recorded a Punjabi number, “Punjabi music has been a part and parcel of hindi cinema. What I really like about it is its rich folklore. Modest Shreya, despite all the fame considers her the black sheep of the family, “Every one in my family is so academically inclined. To be honest, even if I want to, my schedule will not permit me to pursue further studies. I can only hope to do that after I retire from singing,” signs off the singing queen. mona@tribunemail.com
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Cavalcade, colours & carousel
Whoever thought chaos, clutter and confusion are not good things will certainly reconsider their view after a visit to the ongoing Chandigarh Carnival. For here, there's a chaos of toddlers, school-kids and the teen brigade; clutter of rides, swings and food corners and confusion. Which one of these to enjoy? The much-awaited event, inaugurated by S.F. Rodrigues, Governor of Punjab and administrator, UT, began like it always does, with frills, fanfare and frenzy. The tableaux flag-off, too colourful and too much for the eye to take in at one go was every bit what it ought to be: loud and screaming. We give you a first-hand experience of what to expect, to skip, and not to miss at the annual affair. Catch up. Fun, food and feathers
We know your priorities! And there's a lot to cheer for. Rides, swings, columbus, giant wheel, mini-trains, face painting, tattoo art, huh! You name it and you got it. What's a carnival without food? So, there are plenty of roadside appetisers, candies, cream and sugar floss (they make it right in front of you), corns to Chinese, Punjabi, Haryanavi, depends on what all you can take.
Host to hierarchy
What stand out are the twin attractions of the Haryana Tourism Chaupal and CITCO da Vehra, that promise to be a date with tradition and brush with the roots. At CITCO da Vehra, expect to begin with mannequins and statues dressed in authentic Punjabi wear carrying a dhol et al “that’re meant to evoke an ethnic ambience,” as one of the members of the decor team Suveena Bains puts it . A little further and a miniature well, rustic earthen cots (manza), traditional vessels, charkha, prat, hand fans, phulkari, everything that reminds you of an era gone by, welcome you. "We've been collecting the stuff and everything for three years now. Like the, paraat, on display, for example, is from Patiala and weighs more than 30 kgs," said A.K. Malhotra, GM, tourism. This is, apart from the delicacies, of course.
Green stands out
The efforts need not be lost in the din and noise of frivolity. The carnival, apparently, had a green tinge to it and that stood out. The Government Museum and Art Gallery's activity corner had collages made out of waste paper, so materials replaced colours, with a result just as beautiful. Then, there was the Art Out of Waste corner. Here, you can bump into frames out of cardboard waste paper, flowers out of plastic waste and displays consisting of old newspaper.
What we admired
Move on, and there's a commendable effort by Chandigarh Traffic Police to sensitize the obstinate rogues to road safety. Indian Air Force, aiming to give information on how to join the force. State Aids Control Society, out to teach to the A-B-C of aids prevention. Who can miss the souvenirs and memorabilia by Chandigarh Tourism and Le Corbusier center where you can catch the original open hand sketch as made by the architect himself. Since there's always room for improvement, here's to the criticism. The security arrangements were sufficient (though could have been a little more tighter) with observatory in the middle, men in khakis all over the place and adequate fire arrangements. The dust, might be adding to the rustic charm of the event, but also inconvenienced. Lastly, the description and narration was not exhaustive and by no means a substitute for actual visit!
manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Tale of two cities
Two different cities in two different parts of the globe, yet what baffled us were the striking similarities between the two. When one of them is swank, with ultra modern architecture—Brasilia, the other one is more basic and beautiful—our very own Chandigarh. But look beyond rather underneath the apparent, just as Stephane Herbert, a photographer from France did and you will realise the connection between the two modern cities. “The two cities induce a reflection on the lifestyle of its inhabitants. One round of the cities and you will be able to decode the way people live here,” avers he. And you will consent to what he says next, “Chandigarh is a city with soul. Its architectural structure and lay out is distinct to it, which probably no other country in India has, just as Brasilia has in Brazil.” In town to hold an exhibition of photographs of the two cities, he lets us know what he likes the most about our city, “It is a wonderful reconciliation of modern lifestyle, which we often refer to as urbanism with nature. A perfect blend that makes its people enjoy life amidst nature.” The pictures clicked by him second his thoughts. Those of Chandigarh show how there is a balance maintained between green space and concrete structures. Of course, we know that and a similar equilibrium prevails in Brasilia too, he tells us how. “In Brasilia, all buildings are made on pillars, so that the ground can be used for greenery. It also creates more open space for people to move freely.” A superficial difference between the pictures of the two cities is, Chandigarh has earthy hues and Brasilia’s has shades of blue. In spite of all this, there is something that he feels is depleting the beauty of two cities. “People of these cities have a lavish lifestyle and this is also an unfortunate similarity between them. Like Brasilia here too, instead of walking down or pedaling the bicycle, people go by a car or bike,” says Stephane who has worked with several publications as a photojournalist. Other than the mentioned connection between the cities, what made him eager to frame Chandigarh is its recommendation to World Heritage List. And he supports the cause avidly, “Brasilia entered the list twenty years back and it had the same eco friendly lay out as Chandigarh has, so the city too deserves to be there.” On a lighter note, we then asked him the thought process that goes into taking a picture. “Needless to say, the backdrop matters, but what is equally important is things in the forefront should convey a message,” he adds, sharing how at times it takes him hours to click one photograph. The exhibition will be on from November 26 to December 12 at Alliance Francaise Art Gallery- 36. ashima@tribunemail.com
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Aishwarya Rai took time off from her busy shooting schedule in Kochi for Mani Ratnam's Ravana to fly back to Mumbai for dad Krishnaraj Rai's 70th birthday. Krishnaraj got the surprise of his life when Aishwarya showed up for a very special family reunion on Thursday. Son-in-law, Abhishek Bachchan was also expected to attend but couldn't do so. "It's exactly what he (Krishnaraj) wanted— to be with his closest ones. There was no party because he couldn't take it. Only the immediate family and ofcourse his daughter's, in-laws- Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan, who were expected to drop in to wish him," a close family friend said. Abhishek and Aishwarya are in the jungles of Kochi shooting for Ratnam's tentatively titled Ravana. Abhishek said, "I'd have loved to be there because Aishwarya's parents are not just my in-laws, but second set of parents that God has blessed me with. Unfortunately, I tried my best but couldn't get away from here even for a few hours." It's a known fact that Ratnam likes to shoot in complete isolation and at a stretch without any interruption. But when the maverick moviemaker came to know that it was Aishwarya's father's 70th birthday, he quickly gave his leading lady the consent to zip back to Mumbai. "Aishwarya has always been a thorough professional even when her father was undergoing treatment for a serious sickness. But she was concerned for him. "When Mani heard it was her father's birthday, he let her go without a second thought," said a source. — IANS
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Just when seasoned filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is all set to expose the media through a film, comes news that director Atul Pandey is planning to explore the dearth of quality content in the fourth estate. While Varma's film titled Rann will star known names like Amitabh Bachchan, Paresh Rawal, Rajat Kapoor, Purab Kohli, Manisha Koirala and Gul Panag, Pandey's Jalebi Culture will star newcomers. Pandey says his film, though on a similar subject, has nothing to do with Varma's flick. “Jalebi Culture is my take on the state of electronic media today. It has nothing to do with Ram Gopal Varma's film on the media. The title of my film is quite intriguing, but very relevant to the current situation. One piece of news keeps going round and round just like the shape of a jalebi (an Indian sweet)," says Pandey. "I am ashamed to watch any news channel nowadays. There's music, spiritual gurus, yoga teachers, tarot card readers, numerologists, supernatural shows. They show everything, but news." he adds.
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Picks & piques
The maverick's magic is withering. That's why the saucy storyteller and master craftsman, who once churned out hits like Karz, Vidhaata, Hero, Pardes and Taal, is now struggling to play to the audience pulse. After giving a hattrick of box-office duds (Yaadeen, Kisna and Black & White), showman Subhash Ghai makes a lavish attempt to salvage his image with Yuvvraaj. But unfortunately, this time too, he runs out of luck.
The movie, which was being touted as the grandest musical extravaganza of the year, is nothing more than a big, boring moral science class, which gets interrupted by some song and dance. Choir boy Deven Yuvvraj (Salman Khan) is a bratty dude who needs moolah to romance his cellist girlfriend (Katrina). The duo is a part of an orchestra group in Prague. Deven, who is virtually living pauper-like, is in reality scion of a London billionaire. He was kicked out of the royal mansion because he had treated his elder autistic brother Gyanesh (Anil Kapoor) with disdain. Understandably, Anushka's affluent dad is against the couple tying the knot. In his father's demise, Deven finds a perfect opportunity to stake claim on the ancestral wealth. He rushes to London, only to realise that he is not alone in the treasure hunt. Those eyeing the property pie are Deven's younger, roguish brother Danny (Zayed Khan) and a battery of parasitic kin - mama, mami and their offspring. However, the will of the deceased declares Gyanesh the sole heir to Rs 15,000 crore empire, leaving peanuts for the rest of the family members. Stunned, Deven and Danny become unwilling partners to hatch a plot and grab the whopping wealth. Under the plan, Gyanesh is flown to Austria where Anushka discovers rich, musical talent in the former, who with his honest intentions and child-like innocence wins over the heart of conspirator-in-chief Deven. With Danny following suit, the brothers finally bond together, realising the importance of family ties. Soon, the evil designs of the schematic kin are exposed and they are given a befitting reply. Lousy screenplay straightaway puts the story on a backfoot. With narrative meandering, the viewer cannot do much than twitching and turning on his seat. Also, the film lacks fresh appeal. The theme of family feud is a passé. And who is bothered about the banter " Individual we live, united we stand". The director seems to be totally out of sorts here. Regarding performances, it's Anil Kapoor who stands out with his kid act. But he comes alive only in the second half. Salman looks haggard with his limited emotive abilities. Katrina is okay- looking pretty, acting can wait. Zaayed tries too hard to impress. The rest of the cast is average. The only respite comes from Rahman's score. It's classy and adds splendour Gulzar's poetic elegance. Kabir Lal's top-notch camera captures the opulent hues of Europe to perfection. Watch it strictly at your own
risk. mona@tribunemail.com |
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Heavy metal rush
Zip, zap, zoom. If you have flagrant disrespect for vehicular etiquette, this one is for you. In Death Race, you can't decide who is driving whom—men taking over the metallic monsters or vice-versa. The ultraviolent, supercharged, high-octane thriller is quite a treat, till you keep your brain in a freezer. The moment you start applying your head, the speedy flick begins to crumble. Writer, director Paul W.S. Anderson updates classic Death Race 2000 (1975) and weavs a violent world post economy collapse where prisons have been privatised and tormenting, brutalising or even slaughtering humans in the name of game is a norm. Jensen Ames (Jason Stutham) is a former con who is trying to be an able family man. One day, he loses his steel mill job. Dejected, he enters home only to find his wife murdered. Worst, he's convicted for the killing and dispatched to a high-security prison, The Terminal Island, where the villainous jail warden Hennessey dangles a juicy carrot that he finds hard to refuse. Soon, our muscled hunk finds himself on a bloody track where everyone is competing to stay alive. The prison plays host to a deadly car chase wherein racers have to kill each other to win the title. Ames is promised freedom if he dons the mask of four times champ Frankestein, who has secretly died, and eliminates his adversaries, with Machine Gun Joe (Tyrese Gibson) topping the list. The going-bald hero gets an able support from voluptuous female convict navigator (Natalie Martinez) and Coach (Ian Macshane). Death… scores primarily in keeping the adrenaline up. The action, many a times, is incoherent but has the raw appeal. There is lots of noise, of roaring engines, twisted metal and screeching halts, which shootes up the heart rate. Full marks to Anderson for dishing out a bloody meal. The flipside is everything else. The movie doesn't make a sense for even an average viewer. There is no screenplay, no characterisation and no motives. Style has been traded for substance. Stone-faced Jason does what he can do: Beating everything to pulp. Allen as cold-hearted, sadistic vamp impresses. The rest of the crew is for visual augmentation. Strictly for overgrown kids.
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SIDE LANES This is one of the few cities where horse-drawn carts are prevalent. Sometimes, while driving around, I stop next to these horses and wonder what a bizarre world it must be for these creatures. Now that the chowks have traffic lights, all of us have to stop. So, does the poor horse. Standing bare feet next to so many vehicles puffing out exhaust must be baffling. When the light turns green the humans honk at them. Horses are well-trained animals. My knowledge of horses is very limited. I have only seen them as formidable creatures-standing erect and tall with mounted policemen atop-even when a freshly erupted football riot is swirling around or on a polo field cooperating with their riders with utmost discipline. They seem to understand order and duty very well. Sometimes, I see them abiding by the traffic rules much better than the vehicles and the two-wheelers. They don't display a penchant for unbridled pushy-ness as many drivers do. They stick to their place of footing with quiet grace rather than burrow themselves into every inch of open space that is visible. They swing left when intending to turn left rather than swerve violently. They don't clip and cut and squeeze you into a corner. And the nicest thing is they don't honk. I never liked watching King Kong while growing up. I thought it was a cruel movie, showing an unfair victory of humans over King. We tend to think of ourselves as a superior species, able to attain great heights. Yet, we are unable to share space with others on the road in a dignified manner. Chandigarh drivers seem to be in a frenzy most of the times, yet it is a city with a diameter of maybe four miles. Lots of people say we need more traffic police. I don't see why - in consideration of the fact that this is a city with a good education rate - many self-driven cars and well laid out roads. We inherited the concept of roundabouts from the British - sans the order and decorum. We are gleeful when we boast about how the Curry has invaded Britain. We somehow think that a cool movie has to be shot in the West with the hero driving a BMW roadstar on the right side of the road. How come we don't show anyone behaving in a manner that would be commonplace in Chandigarh? Like driving on the wrong side of the road or stopping bang in the middle to finish a mobile conversation or to gawk at a scene of an accident? Why aren't those constituents of - "Kya Kool hain ham?" As for the poor horse, the less he knows, the better off he is.
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LAUNCH PAD
Fenesta's new range of UPVC windows are precision engineered to counter wind loads up to 3000 Pa (249 km/h), a commonly faced problem in high-rise buildings during extreme weather conditions. They can also withstand the brunt of heavy monsoon showers. The system is made unique by a special "Hurricane Bar" to resist heavy winds and a "Rain Track" that drains rainwater outside thereby effectively preventing it from seeping indoors. According to Ajay S. Shriram, chairman and senior managing director, DSCL, " Fenesta UPVC windows are made up of materials that do not deplete precious natural resources. Fenesta's eco-friendly concept is now a huge rage among people looking for houses with unique, stylish and user-friendly architectural designs." Fenesta offers latest styles like Slider-Casement combinations and Tilt & Turn windows in addition to the design options of Sliders, Casements, Bays, Arches and French doors in the existing range.
— TNS |
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TAROT TALK
Aries: Your card "The Moon" says don't worry. A female colleague is difficult on Wednesday. You should tread cautiously in matters directly involving career and business. Socially a high tide. You can expect support from friends and parents. Lucky colour: White. Tip of the week: Do not expect too much from others.
Taurus: " The Chariot" brings light into darkness. Progressive changes are on the cards. Financially you may have expenses as much as there is income. Professional people may have to go slow, lest they may incur losses. Lucky colour : Crimson. Tip: Don't waste an opportunity by not exploiting a contact even if it is from your past. Gemini:
"The Star" is a benevolent card, symbolic of the charm and tact that characterise your attitude on Sunday. Expect everything to go your way till Monday. Finances turn around and friends are supportive. Lucky colour : Wine red. Tip: Do not get disheartened victory comes after surmounting obstacles. Cancer: "The Queen of Cups" brings love and romance back in personal relationship and friendship flower. You meet someone who is dependable and loving. Thursday is a great day for travel. There's no cause for anxiety on the money front. Lucky colour: Cherry. Tip: Take care of health and avoid stress. Leo: " The Temperance" inspires you to climb new heights and actulise creative ideas. A small sum spent now will allow you to make big profits later. You have a tendency to be overly generous and forget that you have a budget to respect. Lucky colour: Jade. Tip: Must learn to accept responsibility for self and for others. Virgo:
You draw " The World" so this is a good time for relaxing and rejuvenating yourself and do the things you most enjoy. Travel towards the seas likely. You will be juggling your finances well. Problems on account of opposite sex is on cards this Wednesday. Lucky colour: Burgundy. Tip: Capitalise on your strength and do not trust others. Libra:
"Seven Golden Cups" full of light and blossom greet you with happiness on weekend. Drive carefully and give attention to any odd symptoms of your vehicle on Tuesday. Focus on investment on Wednesday and Thursday. You delegate responsibility and allow others to flower and grow. Lucky Colour: turquoise. Tip: Versatility and a quicksilver mind will bail you out of a situation. Scorpio:
Your card "Ace of Swords" shows overall a prosperous week. You will be especially attracted to things of beauty and may have a yen to travel to distant places. You could be revisiting a previous relationship and enjoying the connection. Lucky colour: Crimson. Tip: Win the war with honesty, not by distorting facts. Sagittarius: There is a mixed bag of ups and downs throughout this week. You are the recipient of help or resources from those who care about you. Relax and adopt a light and playful attitude on Thursday. You may not conform to social norms. Lucky colour: peacock blue. Tip: Meditate and spend time in natural surroundings to rejuvenate your energy. Capricorn: "Ace of Pentacles" reveals the seed of prosperity and material gain, perhaps as yet unseen. You are thinking seriously about important relationship during this period. New ideas backed by good networking will increase your profits. Lucky colour: Golden. Tip: Be articulate to prevent people from making their own conclusions. Aquarius: "Six of Swords" card indicates land deal may come your way on Tuesday. On the relationship front, things are totally breezy, though you may find yourself worrying about your mate's health. Revel in all the peace and happiness as the planets form a girdle to support you. Seek help from a Libran for money matters. Lucky colour: Peacock green. Tip: Capitalise on your strength and do not trust others. Pisces:
"The Wheel of Fortune" card is good for closing a financial deal, but go carefully over the paperwork. You will be bold on Monday and meetings with bigwigs go well. Get enough exercise and don't skip meals. Pack your bags for a trip abroad. Lucky colour: Crimson. Tip: Dare to accomplish those tasks, which normally take up a lot of time. |
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There are many stalls that intend good, aim to make a difference and thus deserve a separate mention. On exhibit were creations by inmates of Model Jail Chandigarh. Looking at the recliners, chairs, desks and tables, one wouldn't know the difference unless told, because they looked every inch a product of professional carpenter. "We've put such exhibition earlier also twice at other places, this time we are just displaying, any body who wishes to buy them has to come to our center," said Paramjit
Kaur, the matron. 
The evening with live bands and performances promises to be even more exciting. 
Winters season signals the onset of one of the prettiest times of the year. However, blustery winds accompanied by heavy downpour play havoc with the routine life during this season, but not anymore as Fenesta Building Systems, a division of DCM Shriram Consolidated Ltd (DSCL), promises to provide protection to lifestyle conscious households and office inhabitants with its new hi-tech range Series 3000 Rain-Proof and Wind Resistant UPVC windows.