Kunal uncut
He prefers to ride a bicycle to conserve energy, and would rather read a book than party hopping and posing with the 'right' people. Well, this one sure does not believe in wearing that starry aura around
Jasmine Singh

Speed thrills "I have driven umpteen number of cars, and I must say Logan Edge Connect has redefined luxury. The Bluetooth technology, unique driver information system, and other striking features, I can't wait to hit the road." Stage craft With a strong passion for theatre, Kunal Kapoor became part of Naseeruddin Shah's theatre group Motley and then worked as an assistant director for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Aks.

How much can you write about the actors, their upcoming projects, hits and misses? And, how much can you really peep into their personal life- what do they eat for breakfast, what fitness regime they follow, which school their kids attend, what do they eat on weekends, their favorite colour, their pet's name, ex-flames, new ones…? "How much do you want to know, tell me," asks actor Kunal Kapoor. However, he too, like us has heard the word 'duty'. So, we feel free to shot our questions, trying our best not to sound repetitive. And the thoughtful-looking actor, in white pants and blue jacket, is keen to help us out. He is definitely not an actor with air.

In the city for the national launch of Mahindra Renualts Pvt Ltd's Logan Edge Connect, Kunal shares that there is more to him than acting, posing with the 'right' people at parties and giving interviews. We get our antenae up. What is this 'more'? He flashes his famous dimpled smile, "I am a private person and I like to spend time in my own space, reading books, writing script on a romantic comedy, and doing other stuff. I would be trying out deep-sea diving soon and then I want to fulfill my dream of flying a plane. It feels awkward to talk about my exercise routine and breakfast menu all the time."

We give it to him. After all who doesn't want privacy? Come to think of it, we've hardly seen you in public. No rush of movies after Rang De Basanti and Laaga Chunari Main Daag, no flashing attitude for endorsements. "I'd rather talk and do something substantial, rather than raving about things that haven't even started," says Kunal, who loves the new Mahindra Renault’s Logan Edge Connect for its bluetooth technology.

Here is someone from a different school of acting? "Honestly, I don't think it's anyway relevant to talk about myself. Besides, the audiences should not have a fixed idea about the actor's acting skill. I should be able to amaze them with a variety of roles."

Kunal plays a young political leader from Kashmir in his upcoming movie Lamha and another movie on Punjab with Navdeep Singh. Justified. He sure believes in variety, which by the way, applies to the cars he drives, products he endorses and style he wears.

"I have three cars. On a leisure day I love to go on a drive. But, I prefer to ride a bicycle instead. We should save fuel," says Kunal. On endorsements? "I can't endorse everything that comes my way." And Fashion, for he looks groovy in short-cropped beard! "I desperately want someone to tell me to shave off my beard for some role. On the contrary, most of the people I work with accept me with my beard. So, it stays. I so want to change my look. However, I don't want anyone to tell me what to wear, which colour to go in for. Fashion is an individualistic expression and it should come from within." Like, the wish to explore man-women relationship. Says Kunal, "I am fascinated by relationships and how they change with time."

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Salaam Bombay
City girl Riya Sahni is one of the 25 finalists for the Gladrags Megamodel Hunt
Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra

Creating a frenzy, stirring emotions, moistening eyes and making waves, that's what beauty contest does to many. And when a name like 'Gladrags' it attached to it, you bet the flurry is going to be much more than what you thought. When we get to talk to this city girl, who has been chosen as one of the 25 finalist of the Gladrags Model Hunt, even over the telephonic line, the excitement in the girl's voice is simply overwhelming. Riya Sahni-the model in the making, makes it clear in her first statement that it is a dream come true. Further, she adds, "Its an achievement for me. All my life I have been dreaming of this." But read on for more, as the girl has some definite plans on her mind.

"Modelling is a platform for me to enter the big world of Bollywood," she says. Ask her, why modelling first and why not straight to tinsel town and she replies, "Modelling gives you the chance to groom yourself and face the camera. And if you are a successful name in the ramp world then Bollywood is not far from your reach." Good going girl.

Calling acting a complete profession, she says, "None can beat this profession. In this career one can live life king size, visit number of places, play diverse roles and the best, you get fame and everyone knows you." That's true; fame does bring a lot of money and power too (we are already witnessing a swarm of actors turning politicians).

Having taken her grooming lessons from city-based fashion choreographer Jeet Brar, we ask, has she taken lessons in acting? "No, I haven't taken any acting classes." And she has a reason for this, "I wanted to go to Mumbai first, as this is the place where there are professionals who can guide you right."

Having done her graduation from Panjab University, our girl has done her schooling from Scared Heart-26. We ask didn't she want to pursue any other career and straight comes the answer, "No", and we know why.

All of 24, she is inspired by Kangana Ranaut and says, "She is from the city and also started her career with modelling. She also chose the path that I am choosing. I hope to make big like her."

Last we ask, are mom and dad happy, and Riya, says, "They are, in fact, my mother always wanted to me to become an actor or join the fashion industry. She is my driving force."

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

OBJET D’ART
Bazaar buzz
For us the mall-culture generation, these paintings on famous traditional markets sure evoke nostalgia
Parbina Rashid

Amazing how one fails to see the obvious in his own surroundings until one looks at it through someone else’s eyes. This is exactly what happened to me. Having lived in the vicinity of Adalaat Bazaar in Patiala, all I noticed about it were the narrow galis, congested with cars and rickshaw-pullers, the crowded shops and hanging wires. Nostalgia was a word that never crossed my mind at any point of time.

But then I chanced upon Bheem Malhotra’s painting on the same market and it changed my way of thinking. The dilapidated walls of Qila Mubarak started looking majestic and dupatta shops, which lined the palace suddenly became objet d’art. Even the hanging wires added character to the scene. Well, that’s the magic of Bheem’s watercolours.

Other such paintings surfaced. Like the one of Lal Haveli in Lohari Mandi Bazaar. A vibrant painting capturing the aura of a typical house from mid 19th century with a big, boldly projecting jharoka is the highlight of the painting, surrounding which are numerous small shops and rehris. It is a vibrant painting with oodles of old-world charm. Then there is this one on Kotwali bazaar of lower Dharamsala by some unknown artist. The painting, which is executed with oil on linen, shows a woman wearing traditional salwar kameez and dupatta picking up fruit at the market.

So, what fascinates our artists to paint bazaars exclusively? “Bazaars are the nerve-centre of a place, which reflects a place’s cultural heritage. As an artist I found life, culture and colour in old bazaars, enough elements to inspire me to do a complete series,” says Bheem. Bheem’s series comprises scenes from the market outside the Golden Temple, the Chor Bazaar behind Lal Quila in Delhi and Jaisalmer market. And going by Bheem’s experience, such paintings do sell abroad. “I have sold quite a few such painting during my show at Nehru Centre, London,” says Bheem. “Foreigners like them because they are so truly Indian, and Indians living abroad grab them because they remind them of home,” he adds. So, commerce meets art here.

Artists are not the only ones to capture the vibrancy of traditional market places. Diwan Manna, the ace photographer of the city, has recently done a series on the bazaar of Benaras. What stimulated him to do that was blending of modernity with traditional and religious elements. “Benaras is not just another city. It is perhaps the oldest city and it has retained its characters, especially the crowded market places where so many things happen at the same time — people queuing up for an entry at the temples located within the bazaar, people buying and selling — here one gets to see civilization mixing with spiritualism,” he explains. His series is almost ready and soon will be ready for a show. “An artist’s work is complete only when it is shared with art lovers,” he concludes. True, and as for us art lovers, it is one event to look forward to. Having been accustomed to ‘indifferent’ mall culture, we sure can do with some nostalgia!

parbina@tribunemail.com

CREATIVE ZONE
Lukhnavi adaa
SD Sharma

Preserving and proliferating the rich family legacy of Urdu literary ethos in the Western countries is Sheba Lukhnavi, who comes from a family of erudite poets like Majaz Lukhnavi, Jan Nissar Akhtar and Javed Akhtar. Settled in Toronto, she is a frequent visitor to India and spends a few months in Lucknow every year. In the city on the invitation of poet and secretary the Haryana Urdu Akademi K.L. Zakir, she participated in a seminar on her uncle and mentor, poet Asrar Ul Haque better known as Majaz Lukhnavi.

“Aei gham-e-dil kya karoon, Vaihshte dil kya karoon, a timeless poetic creation immortalised by playback singer Talat Mehmood, is a point of reference when in all admiration I introduce my mentor Ustad and uncle Majaz Lukhnavi,” says Sheba. He had in fact chosen my name, Sheba, a wine he was found of. Living in the joint family, I grew listening to his poems and praise from persons of all walks of life, which also added to my status among friends, she adds. I tried to emulate his poetic profundity but it was all too complex. He was rightly the darling of the Urdu world, the most famous and loved poet of his generation. His nazm, Aawara Aye Gham-e-Dil, considered one of the most popular verses of Urdu poetry even impressed my cousin Javed Akhtar and his father Jaan Nisaar Akhtar, my uncle.

“With such great legendary names associated with the family, my poetic potential could hardly make any impact. However, staying abroad and visiting 65 countries with my husband Liaqat Ali Khan, an economist with the UN, gave me a better insight of life and close interaction with the people of different religions and nations. I had been actively associated with the editing of the UN Women Guild Magazine Newsletter for many years after I obtained proficiency in French, did my master and doctorate in English from London besides Urdu and Hindi,” she added.

She has three books to her credit but the latest Majaz ki Baatein has been widely appreciated in literary circles. This book is a veritable illustration of life and achievements of Majaz with his wit and sense of humour reflected in his anecdotes, best articles, nazms and her personal memoirs. “Like Sahir Ludhinavi or your Shiv Batalavi, he died young at the age of 44. Majaz was not only a romantic dreamer, but a patriot to the core and a strong proponent of patriotism, equal rights and parity for women. He was immensely popular among young men for his vibrant patriotic writings and also young girls for his romance- aden couplets. So much so, it was a past time for smart young college-going girls to play a draw of lots to decide who would ultimately marry Majaz, the most elegible bachelor,” recounts Sheba, in a lighter vein.

Working for the welfare of women and propagating the India’s rich treatise of literature has been my full-time passion. She recited couplets on women empowerment, which inspired her to keep up her resolute resolve. Tere maathe pe yeh anchal bohot khoob hai. Lekin tu isse ek parcham bana leti to achchha thaa’ Bahut mushqil hai duniyan ka sanwrna, teri zulphon kA pecho kham- nahin hai, KZamaane se aage toh bahdiye Majaz, Zamaane ko aage badana bhi hai.

lifestyle@tribunemail.com

SIDE LANES
Fraternities
Joyshri Lobo

When Vijai Vardhan rang up, asking us over for lunch, I groaned, as fraternal gatherings invariably tend to be ego trips with spoons full of nostalgic, mushy memories to which outcasts cannot relate. Our spirits sank further when the eminent guests asked if Oz and I were Stephenians, for that seemed to be the only criterion. Rao, a fellow journalist, seemed as lost as us, but then with Rev Valson Thampu’s gentle but firm presence and a few known friends gathered around, the day brightened. Sangeeta Vardhan’s educational class under Chandigarh’s magnificent trees is a well-chronicled episode. She has almost a hundred street children at this moment. Vijai and she have an interesting home, decorated with care and originality. That they managed to rustle up a huge gathering from the alma mater should be encouraging for other fraternities.

We listened to Rev Thampu, pincipal of St Stephens College, Delhi. All is not well with that historic institution. The college came into being on February 1, 1881 at Kashmere Gate with five missionaries lecturing four students, interestingly reminiscent of Vivek Nursery and Preparatory-Sector 9, Chandigarh, which had a similar ratio on its inaugural day. St Stephens moved to the new premises, which are now showing dangerous signs of wear and tear. Rev Thampu is meeting with alumni all over the country, exhorting them to give funds for a wall, a roof, a guesthouse, tutorial rooms and classrooms to accommodate new curriculums, air conditioners, a WI-FI system and quarters for the karamcharis. Arvind Malhotra suggested that the Chandigarh Charter donate Rs 5,000 per person. Rahul Mehta gifted a digital camera towards the Photography Club. Rev Thampu is likely to get results because he is dogged. After the Godhra massacre, he led a Pilgrimage of Compassion through riot torn Gujarat. I am sure St Stephens Journey of Resurgence will be equally successful in his capable hands. He has even persuaded Kapil Sibal and Shashi Tharoor to lecture as inter-acting professors and teachers.

I still had to find something, anything, to establish my links to St Stephens. The fading grey cells stirred and the results were there for those who were willing to listen. Dr Sushil Kumar Rudra, the first Indian principal of St Stephens, was a chuddi dost of my Dada, Priyo Nath Dutt. My father, Kashi Nath Dutt, wrote to ‘Uncle Rudra’ who corrected the letters and sent them back with suggestions on grammar and language. My mother-in-law, Ila Sircar did her Post-Graduation in Maths from there while her brother Satish Sircar was the principal. Reassured that I “did belong some how, any how” I did an introductory round with the guests. A freelancer clutches at any straw that may drop a few tid bits. Talking to Atul Khanna, Vikramjit Sharda, the Sukharchakias, Tiny Chopra (only 6’6”), Jasmine Sandhawalia, Pushy Singh, Robin Gupta, Wilfred D’Souza, Chandrasuta Dogra, Radha Sinha, Pamilla and Manjit was great fun and often enlightening.

Not very long ago, Ranjana Mallik described the 50 th Jubilee celebrations at St Thomas College, Dehradun. The batch of 1958 came from all across the world. Befittingly, the décor was gold and white. Ranjana and Ved said they had never seen such a carefully scripted, detailed and gracefully co-ordinated event. Apart from the bonding amongst 60 somethings, it was a-once-in-a-lifetime event. My perception of fraternities is changing. They seem to be coming down to earth and are now interested in the not-so-fortunate who live on the other side of the fence. At the next  “do” you shall see me with an out-stretched hand for my Basti at Janta Colony, Nayagaon.

Jumbo problem
Lack of fresh talent is pushing Indian circus towards extinction

Once a major mass entertainment, Indian circus is virtually on a tight-rope walk due to the difficulty in getting new talent to join the art and lack of institutional support for the profession.

A handful of companies now left in India are literally struggling to survive in the changed scenario, forcing most to cut short much of the pomp once associated with the art, according to managers of some companies that are still active.

However, contrary to the popular notion, curbs on exhibiting animals and birds is not a big problem in the way of circus as the troupes still pulling on have adjusted to the reality, says M. V. Sankaran, founder of Jumbo circus.

“The biggest problem in our way is getting the artistes, who require constant and vigorous training from a very young age,” said Sankaran.

The ancient mercantile town in Kannur district is considered the home of Indian circus as it provided most of the big artistes since the turn of the last century. Martial arts trainer and gymnast Keeleri Kunhikkannan Gurukkal, hailing from Thalassery, is considered the pioneer of the modern Indian circus.

“Circus is widely seen as a dangerous profession. So most families, even those who find it difficult to make both ends meet, are unwilling to send their young ones to join it,” said K. P. Hemraj, former manager of Amar circus.

They cannot be blamed as in real life a circus artiste is different from the vanity and glitter with which they turn up at the shows.

First day, first show
Explore the best at Jhankaar, the annual fest of PU, for a bagful of masti and dhamaal
Neha Walia

Girls showing off the best and the latest in their wardrobe, guys showing off the best and the latest in their garage. There was the usual rush, the usual geris and the usually stuffed Student Centre at Panjab University. Glamourous as it may sound, but the first day and the first show of Jhankaar—the Panjab University fest, was like a fashion preview of the rest of the days to come.

With over twenty universities participating in the four-day festivities, it’s like a student exchange mela, sharing everything right from experiences to glances, and a few numbers as well. And well, that made campus more than happening.

The center stage has been set up at the grounds opposite Student Centre, so the fun and food goes hand in hand.

The activities part starts from day two; day one was just heavy on checking out the side-lanes. While the ‘with-it’ crowd was busy making good use of their resources, the ones ‘without-it’ was struggling to find the ‘it’ so the next three days pass off easily.

Anyway, apart from the glam parade, the day also saw inaugural function at the Law Auditorium, an event where the participating universities and colleges presented their slice of the traditional flavour with singing and cultural dance performances jazzing things up.

The day followed with face painting and literary activities keeping the mood upbeat.

To add spice to the day’s happenings was Big FM with their big geri, which saw a huge gathering at Student Centre. So there were fun activities, a lot of gup-shup and well, chances of setting up a date with that someone special in the crowd. The evening took the glam quotient to another level and we had the campus eye-candies walking the ramp ozing style and attitude that is synonymous with PU. But the highlight of the evening was the laser show that made stars appear paler.

Watch on as the fun and frolic continues and grows with more on offer.

Women behind wheels

Time machine
Going back and forth in time Bollywood’s new craze
Joginder Tuteja

One often wonders what the future has in store for us and shrugs it off quickly, but Bollywood doesn’t seem content doing that. The film industry has quite happily grabbed the idea of getting into a time machine in as many as four forthcoming movies.

The films that are ready for release and bear a common theme of venturing ahead or back in time are Aa Dekhen Zara, 13B, Kal Kissne Dekha and Tasveer 8X10. While gazing at the future is a favourite topic, even the supernatural element around a non-living object in another time holds prominence in a couple of films.

In Aa Dekhen Zara, which stars Neil Nitin Mukesh and Bipasha Basu, director Jehangir Surti focuses on a camera that has the ability to look into the future and warn about what’s going to happen next.

Says Neil: “My character of Ray Acharya stumbles upon a camera that can show the future. No, it isn’t like looking 50 years ahead but still there is a slight futuristic element involved. The narrative is as interesting as that of Mr. India where there were gadgets and the invisibility element.”

The film, which has Neil crooning a number, is set for a March 22 release.

Kal Kissne Dekha also talks about the power of seeing the future, though this time it’s the lead protagonist himself and not a gadget that does the trick. The film by Vashu Bhagnani will be the debut vehicle of his son Jaccky.

“Nihal Singh (the protagonist) is a gifted boy. He realises after a point that he gets true premonitions. He isn’t sure about it to begin with but later settles down to this gift,” says Jackky.

Of course there is a lot more to the storyline, but that’s all the budding actor can reveal right now.

With a camera gadget and a unique gift of god being the central theme of two films, one wonders whether a conventional hero will get any limelight at all?

“Exactly the point,” quips R. Madhavan. “My 13B doesn’t have any conventional male lead in fact. Instead, I would say the TV is the main lead.”

In 13B, a TV creates havoc in the life of Madhavan by showing on screen real events that are going to happen to his family.

“It’s this TV set that ends up guiding our lives. In a way, it tells the real state of today’s families that have become so dependent on TV that they end up seeing only what it wants you to see,” Madhavan explains.

The thriller that releases Friday also stars Neetu Chandra and Poonam Dhillon.

The biggest of them all though is Akshay Kumar-starrer Tasveer 8X10 where it’s a photo frame that is key to the film’s narrative. This time around it’s a journey into the past.

“In the film, Akshay plays a character who is gifted with a special sense where he can go inside the 8X10 photograph and enter the past. His soul is busy re-discovering the past. He always has a secret related to someone’s life. After witnessing how his father was murdered in this 8X10 photograph, he sets out to take revenge,” reveals a source close to the film

The ‘future’ of these innovative ideas in the box office remains to be seen. — IANS

To Daddy with love
Big B in new ‘phenomenal’ look in Paa

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan is sporting a “phenomenal” new look in his upcoming home production Paa, the make-up for which takes four hours, the actor wrote in his blog.

“My rituals today were guided by the extensive hours at the studio, a major portion of which were in front of the make up mirror, getting the face plastered with silicon,” the actor said in a recent post on his blog.

“It took four hours for it all to come on and another hour to take it off. But may I say the results were simply phenomenal,” the 66-year-old actor wrote.

The film also stars Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan and Hurman Baweja in key roles. The star is relying on a team of make-up artistes from abroad for his look in the film. The film is being directed by R Balki of Cheeni Kum fame. The production of the film went on floors on March 2. “The team of make up artists flown in from Los Angeles and carrying huge and important credentials,” he said. — PTI

No more cameos for Madhur

KOFFEE BREAK
Here I come

HELLO! TUNEZ
Melody mix

13 B: This is certainly not Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s best offering. Neither is it the worst. Midway, it is still better than the products of many run-of-the-mill composers. They have been well served by their lyricist Neelesh Misra who is improving with every outing. At times, he reminds you of Javed Akhtar and Gulzar.

Shankar Mahadevan is as usual the mainstay both as the composer and singer. The film revolves around a TV programme called Sab Khairiyat Hai. To that extent, the all-too-brief song with the same title with which the album opens is the mainstay of the film. Shankar has set a lovely base, on which Kartik, a worthy find of Oscar maestro A. R. Rahman, then builds masterfully with Bade se shehar mein. Background voiceover by Shankar is a pleasure for the ears.

The best is to follow with Aasma odh kar by Shankar and Chitra, which is soothing as well as trendy at the same time.

The loudest of them all is Oh sexy mama with its catchy beat and sung with élan by Baba Sehgal, Anushka Manchanda and Loy Mendonsa. Its remix by DJ Shane is rocking.

As is the trend these days, remixes are a dime a dozen. Not only Oh sexy mama, but also Sab khairiyat hai, Bade se shehar mein and Aasma odh kar get the cover versions.

The album closes with 13 B theme (instrumental) composed and produced by Tubby and Parik. It is in tune with the theme of the suspense thriller.

Jai Veeru: No, it’s not a spelling mistake and Bappi Lahiri is not back. Bappa Lahiri is his son who makes his film debut as a composer with this album. He borrows the style of Pakistani composers and weds it with a bit of rock.

He has some good songs on hand and many lousy ones. It’s a matter of pick and choose. The beginning is promising. Both Sufi tere pyar mein (Tulsi Kumar and Saim) and Tennu le jana (Omer Inayat) make one optimistic about the shape of things to come. But Bappa is not able to maintain the same quality. Even the solo version of Sufi by Saim leaves much to be desired.

Teri dhun lagi (Mika Singh, Raja Hasan) has pace but not much of polish. Aisa lashkara (Hard Kaur, Rema Lahiri) reminds one of the downfall days of disco-king Bappi.

Agre ka ghagra (Mouli Dave, Javed Ali, Raja Hasan) apparently aims to do another Kajrare, but fails to score. And where was the need to use the Chak ke ley gaya refrain in this song as in that song Nagada baja from Jab We met?

After that it is all remix funda, with such names as progressive dance mix, rock and electro mix .Lyrics are by Sameer, except Tennu le (Omer Inayat).

The Stoneman Murders:

A film based on a true-life serial killing episode, which hit the headlines in 1983 does not have much scope for the routine song and dance liberties. Mercifully, this film has only three songs with vocals while all the other are instrumentals.Of these three songs, only one can be called mainstream. It is Qaatilaana hain zulfon ke naag re which has Sunidhi Chauhan in the item song mode. Others, Sooni-sooni raah pe  and Stoneman, are plot related talking about the killer.

 It must have taken quiet a bit of daring to come up with an album loaded with background tracks. How far they are able to sell it remains to be seen. — ASC