Back to the roots
Ashima Sehajpal

These celebs might have settled in tinsel town for good. Yet, it's the festival spirit that they have taken along from Punjab

Let's recall our traditions. Every year we celebrate Lohri for some really logical reasons. It hints at the coming of sunny bright days and promises to take away the hazy winters. The ignited bonfire connotes warmth that goes beyond its literal meaning. It here signifies celebrating life with the loved ones. It is probably this warmth that connects people to their roots even after years of shifting their base to a far off place. We talk to such people who make sure to indulge in festivities on Lohri, irrespective of the place they are at. These people have taken this North Indian festival into the heart of India and even abroad. The reason they cite is, "It gives us the feel of our birthplace and reminds us of our childhood."

Role reversal
Ashima Sehajpal

We saw them in town just a month back and here they were, once again on Sunday. The cast of Kash Mere Hote seems to be making every possible effort to promote the flick.

So, as expected we had Kumar Sahil, male lead along with Labh Janjua, who has lent his voice to couple of songs in the flick, doing the talk. But hold on, this time they had somebody else too taking the initiative. We raked our mind and recognised the music director Sharavan of Nadeem-Sharavan duo endorsing the film. But why, he hasn't lent music to the film? "I am associated with the movie for very special reasons. The first one being, this is my first venture as a producer," he reveals.

For tinsel town's veteran music director-turned-producer, the change in the role was quite a surprising one. "If every actor can become a producer, why can't a music director?" Sharavan then goes on to give a more logical reason. "I wanted to take a break from music direction but didn't want to move away from Bollywood."

There's another reason too behind his spending big bucks for the movie, "With this movie, my sons have made their debut in the industry as music directors." Now, that's a proud father. But do we get to see the duo of Nadeem-Sharavan once again? "Of course, yes. In fact, Nadeem and I are working on two movies, Do Not Disturb being directed by David Dhawan and Bhanwra." Nadeem is now settled in Dubai, working together hasn't been easy for them. "He cannot come to India that often now, so I have to go to Dubai, but it's good to be back at the job," he says.

Having done music direction for 200 movies in a span of around 20 years, the duo got separated four years back. Sharavan was quick to end speculations on this and clarified that there were no disagreements, "Life became too mundane for us and we mutually decided to do something else for a few years." With hits like Aashiqui and Pardes in their kitty, the pair now wants to focus on giving only quality music. "After all these years, the quantity of work doesn't bother us. Our priority now is to give best of the music for lesser films." Other than this, he has plans to produce more movies in the coming future.

And even after a dozen new generation singers in the industry, Sharavan still swears by his all time favourite Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik for his upcoming films. On his choice of music directors he says, "AR Rahman and Pritam are a tough competition. Himesh Reshmaiya is also a good music director but not a great playback singer."

Daddy's darling

Kumar Sahil is all smiles these days. The all India release of Kash Mere Hote is the obvious reason but there is something else too. The Ludhiana lad just cant stop raving about his would be godfather in the industry in the form of Mahesh Bhatt. "He saw my film and is very happy with my work. He wants to cast me in the lead role". Certainly it is something to be proud of. Hold on! He didn't tell us who'd be the producer of the film. Well we know it, who else than daddy Gulshan Kumar, a Ludhiana biggie.

ashima@tribunemail.com

Photos by Pradeep Tewari

It’s in the jeans
Mona

Branded as the most popular and versatile fabric available on the planet, the denim was born in the 17th century, when the sailors felt the need for a tough stuff, which could bear wear and tear. Soon gold miners took fancy to it. But it was Hollywood that gave this timeless fabric a major fillip. From being synonymous with cowboys in 1930s, the symbol of teenage rebellion in 50s to the experimental clothing of the 60s, denim finally got assimilated into high-end fashion in 80s with biggies like Gucci, Chanel, Dior, Chloe and Versace adding it to their collection. The 90s is considered a rough patch for the fabric, which gave way to cargoes, khakis, capris and linen pants. However, it reinvented itself and made a comeback on the catwalk in 2000, making it clear that it would be never out of vogue.

Be it jeans, jackets, shirts or skirts, denim rules. Jeans are eternal part of our wardrobe— light, dark, skinny, baggy, torn or faded. If sometime back we witnessed trend of rolled up jeans, the latest is Hollywood celebrities bagging boyfriend jeans— little looser, in a more relaxed fit. Katie Holmes, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Aniston and Lindsay Lohan were seen donning them. Brands like DKNY, Diesel, Levi's, April 77 have rolled out their selections of boyfriend jeans, shorts and trousers.

We check out how our city copes up on keeping up with the latest trends: "Well, thanks to media - TV, magazines and movies, the awareness about the latest happening in fashion circle is there amongst the city fashionistas but alas, there is lack of availability," shares Ritu Kochhar, founder director of INIFD-8. "It takes some time before the stuff reaches store shelves here. Though Delhi is the nearest option if you want pick up latest stuff," she adds.

"In Chandigarh, it's TV that dictates fashion," tells, Payal Sabu, a city based designer. "The trends move on from Hollywood to Bollywood to the small screen and then it becomes the style statement in the city. By then the stuff is available in local stores too," she adds.

mona@tribunemail.com

Beauty studio
Eye spy
Pammy Kaul

Applying eye shadow is an art and takes years of practice. If you are not aware of the know how, you are always checking and re checking the application time or for mismatched eye shadow application. Your worry is often if it is too dark and not blended to perfection. Or you have extended to the upper reaches of your eyelid. There are numerous tips and ways to spread eye shadow. There are certain ways that you must know this festive season. Always play with your make up before any big do or party.

Blend it right: Blending is the key you must now how to blend for that perfect professional application. Start with the base that is very light and then go on to the highlighter for the crease and a main colour for the lid. The trick is to merge them like colours of the rainbow. The secret is to go from light to dark. Being heavy-handed does not help at all; use the feather touch for applications.

Choosing the right shade: Go for a shade that make your eyes pop out. Something that matches your eyeball shade is what brings the colour of your eye out and gives that complimenting look.

Browbone Shades: Deep colours should never be used on brow bones. It is a different story if the eye shadow shade is of neutral colour or unless you are using a highlighter on your brow bone. That will add a sparkle to your eyes.

Dark eye shadow: When using a darker shade of eye shadow, make sure you blend it on the outside edge. Eyes start looking teeny if you get to blend the colour too close to your eyes.

Base: Always use a primer to make your eye shadow shade last for long.

Bright eyes: A tiny hint of white pencil/ shimmer close to the tear duct will make your eyes look brighter and bigger.

I love using shimmer on my eyes but somehow I feel it does not compliment my eyes. I am middle aged and love to play up my eyes especially when I am going for an evening do. I use dark shades of lipstick and feel can never carry the look with shimmery eyes. Please suggest.

Shimmer can really make your eyes pop but unfortunately it does bring out your wrinkles, fine lines and heavy lids. The best way to use shimmer is to create a nude lid and add a feather touch of gold shimmer on the brow line.

You can never pair dark lips with shimmer on your eyes. The beauty rule says ' Thou shall not play up the lips' when carrying shimmer on your eyes. If you must, then add unsightly blue lines on the lid with a concealer. If you have colours that are too bold for you then try mixing them, an electric blue with taupe can turn out to be the best colour on your eyes.

Short today, long tomorrow
Manpriya Khurana

Let's discuss hair extensions. When the likes of Victoria Beckham, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are associated with something, it becomes a the ‘fundamental duty’ of Lifestyle to inform you of it even if it's wearing neon orange with electric magenta! All the more, in case it's a new cosmetic craze on the block. That latest thing in the city, the buzz of the beauty industry and the staple of Hollywood divas. What's more? We even do your painful job of researching, investigating, even dissecting hair extensions and finally, share the fruits of labour with you.

Hair integration or hair extensions, as they are popularly called, is a cosmetic process of adding length to hair. Either braids or glue is used to attach the commercial hair to the natural ones and the attachment is invisible to the eye. At Tress Lounge-8, they claim to add up to 24 inches to one's hair using the procedure. Harry, the hair extension expert, says, "It's an alternative to give volume and length to one's hair. We fix locks using machines, which don't damage the hair." So, gone are the days when one had to sweat and wait all year to flaunt long locks. As Harveen Kathuria, clinic head, Cleopatra-8, says, "Hair extensions are basically for people who want instant transformations." Result? Shoulder length by day, in a few hours, can be converted to hip length hair for an evening function. At Cleopatra, the extensions can be from permanent (that cannot be removed at home) to temporary (using clips). The option might be enticing but certainly not inexpensive. Says Harry, "Per strand costs around Rs 350-400." So if one wants to have 100 strands, it can set you back by anything from Rs 35,000 onwards. With the artificial attachments barely recognisable from the original ones, it's still catching the fancy of city women. So, how popular are they? Says Harry, "We get at least five to six appointments a month." While Harveen answers, "Till a while ago, it wasn't a craze but now it has become really popular." She adds, "However, it's mostly women in the age-group of early twenties to mid thirties that go for them." What else? Perming, ironing, and everything else is possible with artificial strands. As Harveen says, "In fact, you can have a new hairstyle every month." One need not even take elaborate care to maintain extensions. A good shampoo, conditioner and the right comb suffice. However, Harry says, "Oiling and steaming should be avoided."

However, everything comes at a price. A recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, says hair pieces can lead to thinning of hair and even permanent bald patches. Dermatologists also say that hair extensions put too much tension on hair roots or follicles in the scalp that can become inflamed. As Dr. Sonia Gautam, trichologist, Richfeel Trichology Centre, says, "Injudicious use of hair extensions can lead to condition called traction alopecia which is baldness." She adds, "If at all they have to be used, it should not be for prolonged periods." Didn't we know? Quick fixes never come without flipside. Extensions are no exception.

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Take me seriously

Lindsay Lohan says she works as hard as Scarlett Johansson, but is still not taken seriously by directors due to her bad reputation. The Mean Girls star has said that she doesn't win as many film roles as the Lost In Translation star because the last few turbulent years of her life has ruined her image as a serious actor.

The 22-year-old star has been arrested for drunken driving and spent time in rehab, which has been keeping her in constant media spotlight for all the wrong reasons and now she's adamant to shed her party girl image.

And Lindsay is determined to prove that she is as hard working and deserving of as many acting roles as the other actors of her generation.

"It's so impossible for me to actually do that (escape the media attention). When I was in Dubai, there was still press lined up around the hotel. So I find it close to impossible to actually do that," Lohan was quoted as saying.

She added: "This is what I asked for, and in this day and age that's what actually goes on. But what hurts me the most is that I work just as hard as any other actor around my age, like Scarlett Johansson, but I just don't get the opportunities that they get because people are so distracted by the mess that I created in my life. But that doesn't mean it's going to last forever." — ANI

Old player

Clint Eastwood set a new personal best at the North American box office on Sunday as 'Gran Torino sped to No. 1, hoping to grab the attention of Oscar voters a day before nomination ballots are due. The light drama, in which the 78-year-old actor/director plays a grumpy old man who takes on some neighborhood thugs Dirty Harry-style, earned 29 million dollars during the three days beginning Friday, distributor Warner Bros. Pictures said.

Eastwood's previous best weekend was Space Cowboys with 18 million dollars in 2000. It was the first weekend that Gran Torino was in wide release across the United States and Canada. It spent the past four weekends in fewer than 100 theaters and has earned 40.1 million dollars to date.

Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc, hopes Gran Torino will score with Oscar voters even though it has largely been ignored by other award groups. Ballots must be received by the close of business today, and nominations will be announced on January 22, a month before the awards ceremony takes place in Hollywood. — Reuters

Love lost

Following the tragic death of his 16-year-old son last week, actor John Travolta cancelled his planned appearance at the Golden Globes.

The actor's spokesman said that Travolta will not appear at the awards programme in Beverly Hills.

Travolta has been nominated for the song I Thought I Lost You from the Disney movie Bolt. He sings the song as a duet with co-star Miley Cyrus.

The film, in which he lends his voice to the animated dog Bolt, is also nominated for best animated feature.

The star was also tapped to serve as an award announcer.

Travolta, his wife Kelly Preston and their family held a private funeral service Thursday for his 16-year-old son, Jett, who died last week after suffering a seizure while on holiday in the Bahamas. — IANS

Angelina Jolie quitting Hollywood?