|
|
|
|
|
Stars shine down
Some are stars and some are actors. And it's raining stars these days - some big, some small. This Wednesday we saw the cast and crew of Nishchey Kar Apni Jeet Karoon in the city for their muhurat shot. Present there were director Puneet Isarr, lead protagonist Gulzar Chahal, lead female actor- Brooke Johnston and our own gossamer beauty Tulip Joshi. Playing Sara
Her name sure reminds one of the lovely flower, but Tulip Joshi is much more her than just beauty. The lady has sure grown as an actor. As she says, "Every actor learns from her or his mistakes. And I have grown as an actor." After having done some hard-hitting roles in films like Matrubhoomi and Dhoka she was not seen on the 70mm for some time. Why, we ask and comes her reply, "They were very realistic movies with intense scenes. Both the movies saw me playing a strong character, but I didn't want to be typecast. So, I was waiting for a breather and it came with this flick and two others that I am doing." Ask her about the role she plays in this one and she says, "I play a Muslim girl named Sara. Though it's a coincidence, but it's the third time that I am named Sara." Back to the character she plays, "The movie is about post 9/11 attacks and I play a strong headed girl who is born and brought up in the US." Talk about her entry into Bollywood and she says, "It sounds clichéd but I was modelling and met Yash ji at their son Aditya Chopra's marriage. I was from the girl's side and it was there that he asked me to give an audition. The camera loved me and I was working in their film Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai opposite Uday Chopra and Jimmy Shergill. And rest is history." Coming down to regional cinema, she says, "Language is not a barrier. I have worked in a Punjabi film Jag Jiyudya De Mele which is releasing next month and down South I worked in a Malayalam and a Telgu movie." She has pinned her hopes in her forthcoming projects. "I am looking forward to Daddy Cool. This is a light-hearted movie, my first comedy. I am also working in Runway. In this I play a bar dancer, a happy one. This character has nothing to do with bar dancing." Well, apart from acting our lady loves sports and spends some quality time mountaineering and travelling. Jane of all tread
Brooke Johnston, our lead lady of the film is a blonde from the UK. A model, journalist, actor, activist and an archeologist. Yes, you read it right. She is all in one. Been there, done that, this lady has lot in her kitty. Playing a Human Rights lawyer in the film, she says, "I am a Hindi- speaking blonde in the movie and help the hero out of his problem and then fall in love with him." How so typical Bollwyood! Anyway how did she land there? "I was covering the US elections and it was through some common Indian friends that I bagged the role. And yes, my Miss UK crown and participation in Miss Universe-2005 and Miss Earth in 2003 was an added benefit." Well-versed in studies, Brooke has a degree in archeology and mass communication. On her experience of covering the US election she says, "It was fantastic. I was covering the elections in May and have met all the presidential candidates." Smitten by Hillary Clinton, she says, "As a woman candidate, she was impressive and very interesting, but Obama is inspiring." Been part of the television production crew, she has worked with the kinds of Heath Ledger and knows the nuances of film industry. She is an activist too. "I have done charity work, taken up environmental issues and animal rights. I am a member of PETA and have done a campaign with them wearing a lettuce bikini and a photo shoot with Pamela Anderson," she says. In India she wants to work for abused children and women. Good going girl. Last but not the least, we ask her on her balancing act and she says, "I live in the moment and I hate getting bored, so I love lots of things up my sleeve." jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com
|
|
|
Director’s cut
Known for his robust body and fondly remembered as Duryodhan, Puneet Isarr is the man who has donned the director’s cap for movie Nishchey Kar Apni Jeet Karoon. Well, this is his fourth project as a director and he says, “ I am into direction since 1995. I have made tele-serials like Hindustani and Jai Mata ki and my first directorial debut was Garv—Pride and honour that starred Salman Khan and Shilpa Shetty.” Talking about his latest venture he says, “This is my baby. I have written the movie and it took me four years to script it all.” About the subject he says, “It’s a story of mistaken identity and hate crime that some Sikhs in the US were subjected to, together with innocent Muslims, after the 9/11 tragedy. Though the core subject addresses the emotional trauma from the events, the film is inspired by true incidents and there has been a lot of research work for the movie.” He adds, “Apart from this the film incorporates the embodiment of magnificent spirit, dominating heritage and the magical culture of Punjab and Punjabis.” On why not some better-known names in the industry in the star cast he says, “The image of the star would come as a hindrance. I wanted a fresh face who could play a sardar and Gulzar Chahal is apt for the role.” The movie is scheduled for a Diwali release. jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com
|
|
Sand and sensibilities
Folk music and dance are two integral part of any musical culture which reflect one’s heritage and life styles,” believes Nritya Shiromani Pandit Shakuntala Panwar. The noted kathak and folk dancer guru Shakuntala had the rare privilege of being honoured by five former Presidents of India from time to time besides the Shah of Iran and President of Indonesia. Shakuntala with her troupe ‘Shaakuntalam’ has made Rajasthani folk dances popular in 36 countries and all regions in India. “Though I am based at Udaipur but my heart belongs to all those places wherever people love and appreciate Indian classical and traditional dances, especially the Rajasthani folk dances,” she says. To popularise this art form, she conducts lectures, demonstrations and workshops in all regions. She is here in the city on the invitation of Anu Preet Dance Academy and conduct a 15-day workshop at the IMA Hall starting from January 15. Originally a classical dance exponent, Shakuntala learnt kathak of Jaipur Gharana from Pandit Parsad and gave performances at top venues. “But my heart beats for the vigour and vitality, the compelling charm and fascination for Rajasthani folk dances,” she shares. “My in-depth training in classical dances proved fruitful in imbibing, performing and disseminating the variety of folk dances to the dance aspirants which counts over 20,000 so far,” she adds with pride. Says Shakuntala, “The folk music and dances of any region are emotional, passionate and forthright because it deals with the life and living and believe me, unlike classical dance genres you need not explain the thematic details of the performance of folk dances to the foreign audience. They will relate these to their joys, sorrows and traditional fervor.” Her collaborator in the ensuing workshop Anu Preet, a disciple of Bollywood’s choreography icon Saroj Khan, says Shakuntala will impart training of Rajasthani folk dances like Kalbelia, Gorbandh, Khanjari, Chari, Sawan Surangio, Bhawai and many more with a touch of modernity to the otherwise traditional compositions. lifestyle@tribunemail.com
|
|
On the centenary of Claude Lévi-Strauss, known as ‘astronomer of the human constellations’ whose work had radical influenced Western thinking, Alliance Française in association with the French Embassy is organising a lecture in Punjab University. The lecture is by Vincent Debaene, assistant professor of French, Columbia University, New York on the anthropologist’s works’ relevance today. Strauss’ Tristes Tropiques, ‘intellectual autobiography’ published in 1955 brought him immediate fame. The book was so magnificently well written that the jury of the Prix Goncourt published a communiqué expressing its regret at not being able to award it the prize because it was an essay and not a novel. More than a prize, it is very literary honor that marked the centenary year of “the greatest anthropologist in the world”: his entry into the prestigious Bibliothèque de la Pléiade with seven books chosen by him and accompanied by many previously unpublished notes. The philosopher Catherine Clément, his pupil and who devoted a volume of the collection Que sais-je? (What do I know?) to him, defined him as ‘the greatest living intellectual’ who ‘cut the ties between ethnology and colonialism’. — TNS
|
|
ITC’s Wills Lifestyle presents a new range exquisite collection for this winter season. The nationwide chain of specialty stores offers a complete fashion wardrobe comprising Wills Signature Designer wear, Wills Classic formal wear, Wills Sport relaxed wear, Wills Clublife evening wear and complementing fashion accessories for both men and women. Men’s collection includes Avner sweaters with stunning pattern and vibrant styling, Gerard sweaters with stylish mock neck. The kenway tweed jacket with premium Italian wool comes with a stylish appeal. Other options include enrique sports jacket with stylish stitch detailing and premium corduroy shirts. Elegantly designed shirts add to the style quotient. For women , casual wear represents a folk story incorporating tribal prints and hand techniques. The collection includes Sweden quilted jackets with exquisite quilting details with chic appeal. The range of sweaters offers the new Gisella sweater with chic cowl styling. Women can also choose from fine fitted city cord capris and knit tops in striking structures. — TNS
|
|
The Tribune (Lifestyle January 11) had a heart-warming photograph of a group of a-day- old-Emu chicks. Their eyes so trusting of the world they behold! Then followed the long and chilling text of how these “Avian Guests” will first be fattened and then slaughtered. Guests indeed!
|
|
Beauty and the beast
WE have seen couples marrying outside their caste, race and religion, couples that find it hard to bear the pressures of discrimination. But to break the monotony of some age-old traditional biases, more contemporary ones have surfaced. Well, say about marrying outside your looks. Marriage as the union of two souls and well…two people belonging to different categories in matters of physical beauty. Now, who wouldn't want a spouse who has 'killer' looks, a Greek god personified or a femme fatale who can put Cleopatra to shame? But, before you go gaga over your prized love catch, there are some issues of an interfacial marriage that are inevitable. For guys who marry a sun-kissed beauty are either rich, read Donald and Melania Trump (and look where it got them!) or plain lucky. But flaunting an arm candy called wife can skyrocket your rock star factor. So says Samarpreet Singh, a businessman from city, "Well, you feel that you have something the world envies. Moreover, it ensures you have good-looking kids too!" Talk of a long-term investment. But he is quick to add, "There are times when you stand on the opposite ground, envying people who extend their hands to have what is yours." On the contrary, when it comes to the fairer sex, marrying a Greek god means double jeopardy. Either they are seemed to be fallen prey to a gold digger or their husbands' areas of interests are suddenly termed otherwise. And so are the standards set for judging a person on the basis of their spouse's hotness factor. "The moment people notice that your husband is more good looking, their first reaction is, Oh! What a mis-match! Though one feels good with all the appreciation and compliments, but that means a lifelong insecurity too." feels Neha Vig, a media professional from the city. Of course, add to that the pressure of spending a lifelong fortune on beauty care to match up to the standards of your spouse. Did we say marriage means hard work? Apart from these challenges that these scummy-yummy couples face, there are some bigger issues too. How will the kids be categorized- attractive or plain looking? Or somewhere between cute. Or a disagreement on how many mirrors should be in the home? Your family photo album having more pictures of your spouse. If your spouse buys you some beauty products, do you take it as a kind of warning? Or do you ever encourage your spouse to be casual about his/her looks, read looking like a rucksack. Phew!!! Feel exhausted already… Well, it's not that having an attractive spouse is like committing the biggest crime, but just empathising with those who, for no fault of their own, have to wake up every single day to a drop-dead gorgeous human being on the other side of the bed. And out of all the questions and reactions they face, one stands out- how did you score such a hottie? lifestyle@tribunemail.com
|
|
I vow to…
A recent survey undertaken by the leading remarriage portal -Secondshaadi.com revealed various reasons for remarriages in India. The poll revealed that the maximum people decide to remarry to start a family (53 per cent). The second most accepted reason for remarriage is a yearning for 'companionship' as reported by 38 per cent of the members. The results were obtained from an online poll conducted amongst 1000 members of Secondshaadi.com. The poll consisted of two sections: my reasons for remarrying and my reasons for divorce.
Unlike the general perception, financial security was not the determining factor for many when it comes to remarriage as only 3 per centof the members chose this as their reason for remarriage. Commenting on the survey, Vivek Pahwa, CEO, Secondshaadi.com, said," The top three reasons cited for remarriage, which constitutes of 97 per cent of the votes, clearly states that the prime motive for a second shaadi is desire to have a companion be it in form of a family (kids) or a spouse. With this survey we aim to analyse the common reasons for separation and remarriage and help our members accordingly to overcome their inhibitions and start afresh." Also while conceptualising the survey it was discovered that the reasons for remarriage may vary from reasons for a divorce. Therefore Secondshaadi.com simultaneously conducted a poll on reasons for end of the previous matrimony along with the poll on reasons for remarriage. Almost 2 out of 5 persons, that is, 36 per cent people cited emotional incompatibility as their reason for separation; followed by demise of their spouse (21 per cent). While the other popular reasons include change of attitude from pre marriage days, extramarital affair, sexual incompatibility; career move and incompatibility with in laws were the least common reasons for divorce, with just 4% votes.
—TNS Emotional incompatibility plays the spoilsport |
|
Restless girl
At 26, I have a wonderful job, nice parents and yet I am a restless girl. After engineering, I went to the U S for my masters degree and now I have come back to work. I am not able to decide whether to work here or the U S. My family and friends are all here so I do not want to leave country and yet in terms of money and job satisfaction I feel our country does not offer much. As I have never really been a materialistic person, I was wondering what is it that makes me restless and dissatisfied with life. Please help me to find some new avenues that could make me feel more interested in life and my surroundings. Help. Raveena Dhanda, Feeling a certain level of restlessness is only natural. Put your mind on to something that interests you immensely. An art class or social work, music or theatre, whatever pleases your mind and heart, only that can truly calm your restlessness. Of course there is a world of difference between the life one leads here and in the US but now with the new global connectivity scenario things are changing at a very fast pace. Materialism is the whiff of the day. So if that does not really interest you, you'll have to find more emotionally and spiritually demanding pursuits to fulfill. Diametrically opposed
I'm 32 years old, married and a father of a 3 years old daughter. Mine was an arranged marriage and my wife is really not my kind of girl. I only married her because my family thought that she was the right one for me. We share nothing in common neither a taste in clothes nor music. I like buying few but classy things, she wants loads of cheap things. She loves desi movies whereas I go for the English flicks. Even about bringing up our daughter, we disagree on everything. Inevitably everyday we are in an argument and I feel my daughter is getting very psychologically messed with all this. Also, I feel that life has lost its joy and meaning it feels like a huge burden. How should I deal with this? Randhir Singh, You are unnecessarily confusing yourself. The problem is that you and your wife are diametrically opposite humans. But then marriages are not all hunky dory, for that matter no relationship is easy to deal with. You have to have the will to make it work. Your decision to marry your wife was a conscious one, I'm sure nobody forced you into it, so now you have to learn to accept the responsibility that comes along with it. Every relationship needs nurturing and patience. Try and make your wife see your point of view. This shall make the situation better. Once you have learnt this all else will just fall into place. Learn to find joy in the simple things of life. Everything will work itself wonderfully if your will allow it to flow. Animal lover
I am a 23 years old animal lover. I particularly love dogs and have 7 of them in my house. Recently I met this absolutely wonderful girl with whom I am friends. During one of our chat sessions I discovered that she hates animals. It was like a huge shock to me. Here I was weaving dreams around this girl and she seems not to share my one and only extreme passion. I am wondering how to express my feelings to her. Also, I am beginning to wonder if one can actually have a good relationship with someone who does not share our llike and dislikes. The thought of not being with her breaks my heart, but the thought of her hating my dogs makes me completely unhappy and miserable. Please tell me should I be with her or not. Sachin Dubey, I absolutely appreciate your passion for dogs and love the fact that you are willing to sacrifice your hearts desire for the same, but may be you need not take such a drastic step. People can be tolerant about their loved one's fetish for animals. Of course if it is an extreme case of love and hatred, then things would be a bit difficult. But in case it is just a matter of dislike, the situation is far easier to handle. Discuss with your girl friend the reason for her not liking dogs, may be she had an unpleasant experience with them, and this can be just stowed away. One must never be disheartened in life over any issue. Pray to God for love and guidance and everything will just come along your way. |
|
No arguments please!
Love hurts, they say. Loved ones mean the world to us, but it's with them only that we end up arguing. Having different views on some issue, we try aggressively to persuade the other to buy our point of view without giving a thought to his or her perspective. Ever found yourself fretting over an argument that could have avoided had you been little considerate. Once it's over, only then realising things that could have been left unsaid or those that were never meant to be said.Worry not, we have a handy list to avoid the avoidable: w
One thing that one misses while arguing is to listen. In order to prove our point, we end up speaking endlessly, often not bothering to understand explanations offered. w
Leave the 'I' and 'you' out of the talk, and lo - you can talk like sane and solve situations. w
The other person blaming you without any rhyme or reason? Don't react. Respond. After all, that other is your loved one and soon after the argument you will be back in love like ever before. w
Empathise, it's a major part of emotional intelligence. Putting yourself in other's shoes will give you his/her perspective and you might realise that there is nothing to argue about. w
Be humble. It's a sure shot way to avoid many who are always looking for an argument . w
Know your weak points. People around us know when to push them. The very knowledge that you react badly at certain sensitive issues will help you not to react unnecessarily. w
Be honest. We all run low on patience when under duress. Be extra watchful before starting/reacting during such times. w
Arguments happen when there is lack of communication. Let it flow. mona@tribunemail.com
|
|
True love stays on forever
If you thought true love was something just restricted to movies and soaps, then here's a piece of information: brain scans have revealed that couples can respond with as much passion after 20 years as most people exhibit only in the first flush of love. Shakespeare once said that "Love is an ever-fixed mark / That looks on tempests and is never shaken". Now, it seems, he was telling the truth, at least that's what researchers at Stony Brook University in New York think.
Scanning the brains of people who have been together for 20 years, the scientists found that about one in 10 couples still display elements of 'limerence', the psychologists' term for the obsessive behaviour of new lovers. They enjoy 'intensive companionship and sexual liveliness' but without the anxieties and tensions of early love. They are generous, calm and deeply attached. The scientists call them swans (swans mate for life). The reactions of the swans to pictures of their beloved were identified on MRI brain scans as a burst of pleasure-producing dopamine more commonly seen in couples who are gripped in the first flush of lust, reports Times Online. "The findings go against the traditional view of romance - that it drops off sharply in the first decade - but we are sure it's real," said Arthur Aron, a psychologist at Stony Brook. Aron said when he first interviewed people claiming they were still in love after an average of 21 years he thought they were fooling themselves: "But this is what the brain scans tell us and people can't fake that."
— ANI |
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
