Diana Hayden on Bigg Boss and her close friend Ashutosh

Amongst the various artistes in the Chandigarh to delight the carnival crowd, one that makes sure to give you hearty dose of laughter is Khayali. Being a comedian is the most serious business in the entertainment world, feels the standup comedian: "One is a writer, director as well as performer on the stage. While usually the audience demand popular songs from singers, pressure on a comedy artiste to present something fresh every time you go on stage is immense."

Having worked with theatre for about six years in Rajasthan, Khayali is happy to have passed the screen test Bombay to Goa: "While many comedians got a chance to act in Bombay to Goa, I seemed to have passed the screen test."

The self proclaimed 'Rakhi sawant' of the laughter tells more about the projects in hand: "These days I am busy doing films and dance sequences. Singh is Kinng opened the door and now I am doing more item numbers."

What kinds of roles is he getting to do in Boliywood? "They are pretty versatile. In One Fine Monday I am playing a tapori with Shekhar Suman. In Padosan I am a bank executive that only gives credit cards to women. While in another I am a Haryanavi taxi driver."

Ask about plans for future: "While one Birbal entertained Akbar's ensemble I would be grateful if I succeed in entertaining my audiences."

Many hail him as the king of Asian pop. An epitome of crossover music, he has inspired a whole crop of British-Asian crooners in the last two decades. Meet Taz aka Tarsemm Singh Jarnail, lead singer of pop band Stereo Nation, a lyricist and Bollywood composer.

His music is a melange of bhangra, pop, rap and reggae. In town to mesmerise audience at Chandigarh Carnival, the man, clearly says music rules his head.

"I believe that music has a universal language. That's why I don't shy away from using Hindi, Punjabi, English, Spanish or even Swahili lyrics in my works, says the desi crooner who is also hailed as pioneer of pop fusion.

Raised in Warwickshire, UK, Taz's musical journey has been in his words 'a rollercoaster ride with lots of highs'. "But I have stuck to the principle of creating catchy songs about everyday life. Songs that make people forget worries and enjoy life," says the singer who first made waves with album Hit The Deck in 1989.

When asked what he likes being the most a composer or a singer, Taz says, "Albums are personalised. They give you plenty of freedom to experiment wherein in movies you have to take into consideration the story line and concept. Each song is to be created in a given situation which is pretty challenging."

Bollywood is keeping this talented British-Asian singer, who has a music background fairly international, very busy these days. He is composing working on movies Bechelor Party, a Tips movie and an untitled project with Sunil Shetty. Also on the roll is the next album. Ask him what kind of music will be there? "All my albums are stories with in stories. All I can divulge at present is that it's going to be as contemporary as my earlier work." Reality shows don't excite the man much. "They are more of 'unreality' shows," he laughs.

When Bollywood actor Zayed Khan had to slap Anil Kapoor for a scene in Subhash Ghai's Yuvvraaj, he felt insulted but carried off the act well, realising that it is all a part and parcel of his job — acting.

"I never imagined I would slap Anil Kapoor. For me, Anil is like an elder brother and is very experienced. On a personal level, I felt insulted for having slapped him. But that's what acting is all about," Zayed said. "Actors do things ordinary people are not allowed to do sometimes. It's the nature of the job," he added.

In Yuvvraaj, which is about sibling rivalry, Zayed has played the role of a materialistic man, who is driven by money and power. Despite the presence of industry bigwigs like Anil, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, Zayed said his presence would be felt in the film.

"Your presence must be felt by your performance, by how good you make it and how confident you are of yourself. I never felt their presence in the film was threatening. My biggest asset on sets is that I consider myself a student.

"Whenever I am working with seniors, I give them their space but once I am in my zone, I forget who is senior, junior, big, small, and I just come in to my own workspace," he said.

Barring films like Main Hoon Na, Shabd and now Yuvvraaj, Zayed has mostly acted in action films. He made his debut in 2003 with Chura Liya Hai Tumne and went on to do others like Dus, Cash, Rocky: The Rebel, Fight Club and Mission Istanbul.

With a family drama like Yuvvraaj, the actor says director Ghai has made him fall in love with acting once again.

"While shooting for Yuvvraaj, I was arguing with Subhashji over one or two things and then he came up, discussed the scene and explained it to me. When I saw the outcome on the monitor, I thanked him for making me love acting all over again," said Zayed.

He explained: "I am an actor. I have the ability to jump on a horse, scuba dive, jump from a mountain. I can do all of that, considering the kind of sporty guy I am. But I did forget the essence of acting between all this.

As an action hero, I feel one cannot really portray the full potential." For Zayed, Yuvvraaj has become a turning point in his career.

"When a director of caliber like Subhash Ghai asked me politely 'Zayed, I want you to do this role', I think it says something about my nature towards my job and of course I want the film to do so well that it becomes a milestone," he said.

After 40 years, a previously-unheard interview with The Beatles late guitarist George Harrison has come to light. The interview, which took place in 1967, was conducted by Miranda Ward, who worked as a journalist in the '60s and '70s.

Film director David Lambert, who has heard the recordings, said: "It was really the meaning of life according to George Harrison in 1967." Lambert said that the tapes, which have been stored by Ward, include George's talks on Eastern mysticism, politics, Britain's drink culture and drug use.

Harrison is often referred to as the 'quiet' Beatle and Ward was a friend of the group at the time. The tapes were heard while making a documentary about the Magical Mystery Tour film.

Lambert said: "It was only a brief chat about that, but he went on and discussed all aspects of life and the way he viewed it at the time. He covers all aspects of things, the Eastern mysticism, he was very involved at the time with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

"Then he goes on to talk about the drink culture of Great Britain. From how he describes it seems exactly as it is today. He talks about use of drugs and how certain politicians tend to rule the world and rule our lives." Lambert only used a small section of the interview in his film, The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour Memories, and said the rest of was pretty controversial.

But he added: "I think you'll actually look at George and think, 'The guy really is talking a lot of sense and people should have listened possibly at the time'. He wasn't one to talk about these things. If you listened to it, you would fully expect someone like John [Lennon] to be doing the interview." Lambert believes the full interview will see the light of day and could fetch hundreds of thousands of pounds at auction.

This year Chandigarh Carnival sees quite a few entries from foreign participants

After hearing so much about the grand Chandigarh Carnival, most of you, by now, have an idea as to what all to expect there. We too had a familiar picture in mind to begin with - people binging on makki di roti and sarson ka saag and chane bhature at CITCO da Vehra, chana garam from the Jail factory and lots of fun rides. And when we thought that we have seen it all on our visit to the carnival on the second day, something takes us by surprise.

Just in the centre of Leisure Valley, we see a foreigner gifting green bags to children with 'I can speak German' printed on it. Next, we are with her asking about the business, "I am trying to popularise the culture and language of Germany," says Friederike Klumpp, a member of the Max Mueller Bhavan. And how? "We are organising a quiz competition for kids in which they are asked 10 questions about Germany and its people. If three out of ten are correct, they get a prize and for the incorrect or unanswered questions, we give them the answers as well." Now, we understood the reason behind kids thronging the German stall at the carnival. A peep inside the bag, revealed a cool tee, a cap, a badge and a brochure on Germany. And this wasn't the only foreign stall there- we spotted one from France, one from Hungary and also from Japan.

While the French stall was also doing the same, popularising its language, Japan was doing something really different and laudable. Here was a photography exhibition, an attempt to celebrate century-old relations between India and Japan. Masako Azuma, a young lady from the Japan embassy explained, "The photographs complement the diplomatic relations between the two countries." On one wall if we see photographs of India's first Prime minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru with Japan's ministers, on another wall there is our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with his Japanese counterpart Junichiro Koizumi. Refreshing memories of the recent past, was a picture commemorating the historical moment when India's late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi launched the first Maruti 800 in 1984. "These moments are very special for the people of both the countries even now. The two countries have fought with similar problems during the world wars .”

Next is the Hungarian stall where the beauty of this European country is on show. A medium to encourage tourism, the photographs show heritage buildings of Hungary, Matthews Church and landscapes with all the lures to attract tourists from India.

Bulgaria. How many of you would be able to locate it on world map easily? Not many. But one meeting with the Bulgarian dance troupe is likely to change the statistics, at least for those who met them or who are going to see them perform tonight. A 13-member dance troupe from Bulgaria is here to perform at the International Children's Festival of Performing Arts 2008, organised by Ryan International School. Bulgaria? We are curious. And Dance? We love it. Let's get going.

All of them might not be able to converse in English but they surely know the universal language, that of dance. So, how different is it in their country? Answers Vanya Peshkova, the founder of the Folklore Formation Fountain, the name of the troupe, "Our dance is not like your regular music, rhythm and melody! It is a combination of highs and lows in music and dance is extreme.” The troupe, formed in 1993, has already performed at Patiala, besides Delhi, that also figures in their itinerary.

So, what all have they seen in the city so far? "Oh! we've been to the Rock Garden, Rose Garden and the carnival," they all chorus. And yes, they would like to tell us one more thing. The spicy food that they tasted here is not the way they do it at their place. Otherwise, what about their experience in India? Says Vesselin Davidkov, another member, "We've been to Patiala, Rajasthan, Chandigarh. It is all so different and varied and we are trying to put it together." So are we!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

He is young. He is eloquent. And he is living it up. Meet Ivan Borisov Biserov, the 12- year-old, who is excited about performing tonight. How does he like the city? He says, "The city is beautiful, it is also interesting with nature and all." He adds, "I sure am going to brag about my experience to my classmates when I go back." That's not it. Ask him about the mehndi applied on his hands and suddenly there is a lively response. "Oh yes I got it done and we don't have this sort of thing back home," he says. He is not alone. This particular mehndi enquiry draws the whole groups' hands out and spread in front of you! Male or female, almost everybody got it done!

Any natural ingredient that has a 4,000 year history of treating a wide variety of ailments is worth knowing about. Green tea falls right into that category. Green tea has been in use in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for centuries, as a stimulant, astringent and to improve heart conditions. It is an effective remedy for rheumatoid arthritis, and certain immune deficiencies. However, studies have confirmed its health benefits only about a decade ago.

Green tea also helps in reducing weight. It has been found to be incredibly diverse as an antioxidant, on par with vitamins such as vitamin C. Little wonder that green tea is selling like hot cakes, luring more and more people into trying it.

Green tea and black tea both come from the Camellia sinensis plant, but only green tea has been found to have these medicinal properties. Researchers believe this is because green tea is manufactured using a process where the tea leaves are steamed instead of being fermented like the other varieties. The fermentation process used in making black tea destroys the biologically active polyphenols present in the leaf.

Senior consultant, vascular surgery, Fortis Hospital-Mohali, Dr Ravul Jindal, says hardening of arteries and consequent loss of blood supply can severely affect organs

Millions of Brits read, text and chat to friends while in the loo!

For most people, it provides a time for quiet contemplation and a chance to study knees, but when it comes to Brits, they like to read, chat and text friends while in the loo, says a new survey released to mark World Toilet Day.

According to the poll, more than 14 million of Britons have admitted to reading a newspaper, book or magazine to pass the time in the smallest room.

The study, commissioned by aid agency Tearfund, found up to eight million also like to talk while on the toilet - either on the phone or to family - while one in five will send text messages, reports the Daily Express.

The Toilet Habit survey also suggested that men were more likely to look around for a distraction than women.

Also, 75 per cent of the 2,056 adults questioned complained about toilets being dirty or unflushed, the study revealed.

Charlie Mullins, who works for the London-based company, said: "We have more than 100 plumbers who get called out to help with around 20 toilets a day, helping with anything from a small leak to a pouring toilet bowl. When you get to the bottom of the blockage, though, you can sometimes receive an unexpected surprise." Strange objects cleared from toilets include hand-held video games, wallets, TV remote controls, paintbrushes and woolly hats. — ANI

Irish pop group Boyzone has drawn some flak from religious leaders for featuring a gay couple in their new music video. Reverend David McCullough, minister of Dromore Reformed Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland, is afraid that the band's single Better, which features homosexual singer Stephen Gately getting up close with a male actor, may deliver some wrong message to the public.

"This video, that will be watched by millions, is sending out a deadly message to young people," he said.

"It is stating that homosexuality is simply another norm. The video very cleverly interweaves softly lighted, black and white images of heterosexual couples with a homosexual couple.

"The message is plain and the often repeated drum beating of the homosexual lobby that says that homosexuality is a normal lifestyle," he added.

Actress Michelle Williams has slammed paparazzi for not letting her grieve in peace after the death of her ex-boyfriend Heath Ledger. In her first in-depth interview, the Brokeback Mountain star has said that she won't forgive and forget the disrespectful snappers who made her life a living hell in the past year.

Williams pointed out that the constant prying on her young daughter Matilda by some photographers was what disturbed her the most.

"It burns a fire inside of me, for the things people do to get at me or my daughter. I won't forget it, and I won't support it. I don't want my daughter growing up feeling spied on or threatened," she said.

And there was one instance when Williams got livid on meeting an over-zealous female paparazzo.

She explained: "I said, 'You're better than this. Look at you! You're young, you're able-bodied, you have brightness in your eyes. You're above this.' But you know what? She didn't go away." And she is so upset with the breach of privacy that she is seriously considering leaving her home in New York — and walking away from her acting career.

She said: "If it gets to the point where I can't situate my life in a way that they stay away more, then I'll drop a match on the thing.

"I'll be sad. I like to act. It's saved my life over and over again. It's given me a sense of self-esteem, self-worth. I have this thing that I'm in love with... and now it has this baggage."

English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse has earned herself the fury of her family members after she decided to pay for her hubby Blake Fielder-Civil's rehab treatment. Fielder-Civil had entered Life Works centre in Woking, Surrey, three weeks ago after serving a jail sentence for a year, and the cost for the stay is 30,000 pounds.

"Amy's nearest and dearest are exasperated by her decision. While Blake was inside it finally looked like she was getting her life back on track," said a source.

"Blake's influence is entirely destructive for Amy. A crisis meeting has been held and a number of options have been discussed to sever contact for good," the source added.