This Mumbai-based group of seven believes in presenting devised dramas which evolve through interaction among its members

Theatre connoisseurs of the city wouldn’t have had it so good. The Mumbai-based group Working Title is here with two of their productions, 60 Seconds Deep and Mahadevbhai, on the invitation of the Durga Das Foundation. The group of seven, discusses devised form of theatre, the themes and yes, the two plays in question with us. Let’s get going.

There is hardly any art form that has not succumbed to the temptation of urban life. The former one, 60 Seconds Deep, premiered at Prithvi Theatre last October, too revolves around the same. As Jaimini Pathak, the director, says, “We had a theme in mind, which was exploring the urban life.” He adds, “But then, every concept had been explored.” The play uses the devised form, where the script originates from improvised work by a group of people.” So, how did it orginate? Nayantara Roy, an actor from the group, says, “It took us four weeks of exploring and a week for writing.” She adds, “This form is often abstract, so we tried making it very accessible.” Adds Jaimini, “Devised pieces are especially interesting for an actor. We had a lot of our own beliefs, though that does not mean it is an indulgent piece.” The play also has many performance styles in it. As Nayan Tara says, “It was liberating for us actors as well as engaging for the audience at different levels.”

Coming back to the other one, Mahadevbhai, Jaimini says, “The reason we did this was there were a lot of anti-Gandhi plays happening at the time and we did an analysis of what was happening in the country.” Based on the character Mahadev Desai, secretary and onlooker to Gandhi, the script comes from the diary maintained by the protagonist.

Any cause they are trying to take up? Says Nayan Tara, “In 60 Seconds Deep, the focus was on the eroding of morale of the people in the urban structure.” Cause and the medium seem to have been closely connected. Where does the edge or power of theatre lie? “I would say it is in the live part of theatre,” she signs off.

At Strawberry Fields School-26 at 7 pm

Actor Deep Dhillon's take on Punjabi films

Sirf pagadi banan naal hi sardar ni bande, sardar has a walk and an attitude that are unmatched. This is how Deep Dhillon, an actor, who has seen the best of the film and television industry, defines a true sardar. And while he talks about the rapid corporatisation and huge market for Indian cinema, his passion and calling came with Punjabi film industry and reviving the khushboo of Punjab di mitti.

"Every region has grown in terms of media, but we have been lagging behind because there is not enough dedication and loyalty towards our own land," he says. "While the Bollywood is cashing on the rich culture of Punjab and we have Rani Mukherjis and Shahrukh Khans walking in sarson ke khet, the projection of real Punjab is missing in our films for the Punjabis living abroad," he adds. And the reason? Despite having so much talent and passion? "Lack of charm, money or big banners," he answers.

Having done seven Punjabi films and worked with directors like Manmohan Singh, he feels that bringing the audience to theatres and making them fall in love with their cinema is very important. "Jee Ayan Nu was a challenge, but it changed the face of Punjabi film. With Bollywood coming in, money is pouring in too and so, now villages in Punjab are the most sought after places," says Deep. Then why is still hesitation from investors? "Everybody can't afford a SRK, so you need to give them alternatives in terms of actors, technical staff and film makers. And, the need of the hour is one independent channel for the Punjabi film industry," he says. To sum it up - dedication along with a good market.

And on the personal front, he has taken the responsibility upon himself to revive the Punjabiyat. "I want to make a film on

Punjab jo hun nahi reha," he signs off.

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To Katrina, it is of utmost importance who the director of a film is

Having worked with established directors like Vipul Shah, David Dhawan, Anees Bazmee and Subhash Ghai, Bollywood's reigning queen Katrina Kaif says although it is risky to work with new directors, she is open to the idea.

"The first thing that I see before choosing a film is definitely the director. If a new person comes to me with a script and says 'let's go for it', I should be really willing to take risks to agree but I guess that will also happen sometime. Working with new directors is risky," Katrina said.

The actor justified her stance by narrating how she agreed to her role in recently released Yuvvraaj, in which she was cast opposite real-life beau Salman Khan.

"I knew that I was not the protagonist in Yuvvraaj, but I wanted to be a part of it since an established director like Subhash Ghai was making it," she said. Katrina says most actors admit that the script excites them, but for her, right director is priority.

"If a director who can't pull off a good script comes up to me with a fantastic script and I love it, it is still a meaningless and futile exercise to go ahead with the film. For me, who directs the film is of utmost importance," Katrina said. Katrina's forthcoming projects include films with directors like Prakash Jha and Rajkumar Santoshi.

Mixed response to Shah Rukh's moustachioed look in Rab Ne...

He may have bid adieu to films for over a decade now, but even at 86 the charisma of Dilip Kumar lingers

He is a ''Living legend'' of the Hindi film industry, having enthralled cinegoers for over five decades with a wide range of characters played in films traversing diverse genres. He may have bid adieu to films for over a decade now with his last screen appearance in Qila, but at 86, the charisma of Dilip Kumar still lingers. In his career, the veteran actor with his fine performances has earned a distinct place in the world of Hindi films.

One of the greatest actors ever to grace the Indian silver screen, Kumar rid like a colossus in the Bollywood for over four decades, from the 40s to late 80s. His unique style of acting has inspired many upcoming actors and hopefuls but none have even remotely been able to match his natural one and only style.

Born in Peshawar (now in Pakistan) in 1922 in a Pathan family of 12 children, Kumar aka Yusuf Khan was initiated to the world of films in the 1940s by leading actor of those days Devika Rani, who was also the proprietor of the famous studio Bombay Talkies.

Yusuf, who was re-christened Dilip Kumar by a famed Hindi novelist, made his debut in the film Jwar Bhatta in 1944. He became successful as a hero opposite singing actor Noorjehan in Jugnu (1947) followed by Mela (1948) in which he played the doomed lover and Mahboob Khan's Andaz (1949), a love triangle opposite superstars Nargis and Raj Kapoor which became a big hit and elevated him to a superstar level.

The release of a number of tragic films in 50s likes Babul, Arzoo, Jogan, Deedar, Udan Khatola and Bimal Roy's super hit Devdas earned him the title of the ''Tragedy King''.

His continuous tragic roles gave a high handedness to his characters that he consciously tried to break his image and began to accept more light-hearted films in which he excelled as well. His versatility shone through in films like Ganga Jamuna and the comedy Ram Aur Shyam, two of the best roles in his career.

Raaz-The Mystery... deals with the issue of 'evil within'

Bhatt's latest thriller deals with the issue of 'evil within' and highlights superstitions and myths prevalent in the country today.

The film starring Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, Adhyayan Suman is scheduled for release on January 23 next year.

Written by Shagufta Rafique, the film revolves around a successful model, Nandita (Kangana Ranuat), who is in love with the creative director of a TV programme (Adhyayan Suman).

After her power-packed performance as supermodel Shonali Nagpal in Madhur Bhandarkar's film Fashion, Kangana Ranaut once again portrays the character of a model.

Nandita's life takes a dramatic turn when she meets an artist, Prithvi (Emraan Hashmi). He tells Nandita that all her paintings made by him are getting disfigured which spells the impending danger for her.

Initially, she does not believe him but then she begins facing horrifying situations herself. After this, hell breaks loose and an unstoppable storm begins.

With a budget of over 25 crores the film is said to be one of the most expensive horror films in Bollywood.

"When you will see this film, you will realise that how much effort we all have put in. I firmly believe that all the sequences of this film are such that they will keep the audience glued to their seats and terrified thereafter," said Mukesh Bhatt, Chairman, Vishesh Films.

When future generations open their history books, two infamous images will assail their yet-to-be-formed-minds: the body of a young honeymooner, thrown out of Indian Airlines 814 and an ancient dome with what looks like a troop of frenzied monkeys doing a war dance. Kandahar and the Babri Masjid opened a new and grim chapter in our country's 'tryst with destiny'.

Today, we still bear the brunt of those mindless acts. Our chosen government sacrificed a young man as it did not have the guts to deal with terrorists, who slunk away, in the dark like jackals, returning again and again to prey on our people. The dome was the culmination of one man's ambitions towards a chair he could never sit on. It evades him to this day. Bal, Raj, Advani, Modi, Togadia and their ilk are cowards who prey on common people exactly as the terrorists do. One of the enduring images of the past week is of birds, spiralling restlessly into the air with each blast of two pigeons hanging desperately from telephone wires as NSG commandos rappelled from helicopters onto the roof of Nariman House. Later, flocks of pigeons surrounded a soldier who lay on the ground, gun poised to finish a ghastly operation. But is it over? When the perpetrators of the Masjid demolition in December 1992, the hijack in 1999, attack on Paliament in 2001 and Godhra in 2002 still roam our streets, can we see closure of this dark chapter?

Going through a litany of criminal time lapses, indecisiveness and unpreparedness a few solutions are called for. The Defence chiefs, should immediately be given charge of the situation with the Intelligence, internal and civil authorities under their command. In fact our Defence chiefs ought to be chosen on the basis of capability, not as weak yes men of a ruling government. This would also end wrangling about seniority and be best for our soldiers. A hurrahing mob that demonstrates its relief at being safe is a picture of catharsis, not future trust. Why do we not follow every lead till proven false? Surely a trawler was reported missing? What did the coast guard or police do about it? Time and again, before any attack, state governments have been warned of RDX, arms and ammunition entering the country. No preventive measures are taken. How could ammunition be stored at the Taj? How could terrorists, disguised as guests, map the whole area? Does the management condone such lax security in the name of hospitality?

We, the ordinary Indians, carry on with our lives after such incidents, because we have to eat and have a roof over our heads. It is not our indomitable spirit but a fatalistic attitude. If we were richer, with enough food in our bellies, governments would have to answer, not just with monetary compensation, but protection as our constitutional right. As a citizen, I need to tell my children that religion should be practised at home, not by destroying a dome or killing a member of a minority community. Do I really want to know which country harboured the killers while the people I voted for exchange threats and rhetoric across our various borders? I just want to feel safe and have my family around me. Can my leaders offer me this? At the moment they certainly can't.

Even after 150 years, the Levi's ® brand will not replace the button fly on its iconic 501 ® jeans with a zipper. One of the most distinctive features of the Levi's ® 501 ® jeans, the button fly gives volume where volume matters.

The Levi's ® brand takes inspiration from the streets of Japan, introducing a limited edition button fly customisation kit that turns the button fly of its 501 ® jeans into a real work of art in seconds. Snap-on button covers, available in a set of five, feature the works of artists from around the globe.

Six Limited Edition sets, designed by renowned artists and purveyors of modern cultural expression-Giuseppe Demaio, MHAK, Ezra, Danny Sangra, Oeil, and Brian Barneclo are available now. In edition to these artists, there's also a whole set of Fly humour buttons available to button fly lovers simultaneously.

In addition to the six limited edition button fly customisation kits, 'Fly Humour' button cover kits are also available for those who are looking for some fun and humour via button customisation. Printed with tongue-in-cheek graphics these button covers will definitely leave the jean wearer exuding much attitude and even mischief! — TNS

Woodland is all set to woo its discerning customer with its elegant range of jackets and pullovers to wade you through the cold winters.

Woodland's exclusive range of winter collection comprises of wide variety of sweater and jackets. The colours available include earthy hues of -brown, black, white, ecru, navy and fashion colours like fuchsia, purple and pink etc.

Jackets are priced at Rs 2195 to Rs 5495 and the price range of sweaters starts from Rs 1495 to Rs 3495.

The new collection is available at woodland's wide spread chain of exclusive stores and leading multibrand stores countrywide. The product range offered by Woodland to its young , mobile and well aware clientele is totally up market and trendy. —TNS