His has been a tale nearly as old as the Bollywood. While most of his peers and contemporaries have hung their boots, this flamboyant veteran is still going full steam ahead. At 85, he epitomises energy, exuberance and ebullience. That’s the legendary Dharam Dev Pishorimal Anand or simply Dev Anand, the man, who knows no stops.

Role call Well, politics is one arena where acting comes handy. While Amar Singh is the latest entrant , there are some who have made appearances on the small and silver screens. One politician who has made an appearance both on big and small screen is Lalu Prasad Yadav. He played ajudge on reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, a celebrity contestant on Kya Aap Panchavi Paas Se Tez Hain and also made a brief appearance in the beginning and ending of film Padam Shree Lalu Prasad Yadav. Politician Sanjay Nirupam stayed under the scrutiny of public eye when he participated in reality show Bigg Boss.

Chargesheet checklist Dev Anand is producing, directing and acting in a stellar role in his present film, Chargesheet, a murder mystery, which highlights corruption in the present police force.  The film also stars, Jackie Shroff, Riya Sen and Divya Dutt. He also introduces a couple of new comers with a bang in Chargesheet and three brand new music directors, who have composed, five sizzling tunes for the film.  The getup of Dev Anand in the film is a surprise he holds for his fans and has not yet disclosed it.  Shot at Mahabaleshwar, Mumbai and Delhi, Chargesheet is Dev Anand’s prize film on the occassion of his production concern, Navketan’s 60th anniversary, which is this year. Dev Anand intends to release Chargesheet on September 26, 2009, his 86th birthday.  A coffee table book on his Navketan’s 60th anniversary is being brought out by Harper Collins.

A recipient of innumerable national and international awards, the fabulous filmmaker, in a hurried chat with Lifestyle, talks about his penchant for message movies, fresh faces, and his upcoming project Chargesheet. Currently in Delhi to shoot some major portions of the film at SP leader Amar Singh’s residence, he spells out the role of the real politician on reel and more.

Quiz him on his latest venture and he’s all bubbly. “Chargesheet is a murder mystery, a suspense thriller. Like all my films, it too will have new faces. But the surprise package is the Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, who will be playing the role of a home minister. ” he informs.

“Our country is brimming with youthful talent that needs to be brought to the fore. If a person is truly talented, I give him a break, even if it means taking some risk,” says the dream merchant who has launched many lovely faces, from Zeenat Amaan to Tina Munim.

A firm believer in making movies which are contemporary and even ahead of their time, Dev Anand has churned out cult hits like Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Des Pardes which talked about the then prevalent hippy culture and illegal immigration.

“I don’t believe in recycled stuff. It signifies creative bankruptcy. Originality is the first and the foremost quality of any true filmmaker. I like to make films on topical issues. I pick up themes from the latest happenings, from the newspaper headlines or something that touches my heart,” says the evergreen star, who has delivered some memorable cinematic performances in Guide, Baazi, Taxi Driver, and Johny Mera Naam. The man, whose illustrious career spans over six decades, released his autobiography Romancing With Life two years back.

It’s time for bhangra, giddha, saron da saag te makki di roti, lal prandi or whatever is synonymous to Punjab. For all you die-heard Punjabi, cheers! Because Punjab-centric movies release left, right and centre. Well, that leaves us with no other option but to say— Punjabis are certainly dominating Bollywood releases this season.

Vansh Bhardwaj

Jimmy Shergill

Baba Sehgal

Three films to be released in the next fortnight have one common theme — Punjabi background. Aloo Chaat, Ek - The Power of One and Videsh all have either a Punjabi or someone settled in Punjab as the main protagonist. It seems there is this entire culture drive revolving around Punjabiyat in tinsel town. No wonder Punjabis are feeling on top of charts, but they certainly feel that it’s not for the love of the land.

Sarson da sagas Aloo Chaat film promises to feature Punjabi celebrations in full fervour. There are Yash Chopra style “ladies sangeets”, mustard fields and lot more of apna Punjab. Ek - The Power of One features the mustard fields of Punjab. Director Santosh Sivan was quoted as saying that this brings an altogether different look and feel to the film. Videsh, of course, is a serious film that has been highly acclaimed well before its release in India. The film features Preity Zinta in the role of Chand, a young woman from Ludhiana who moves to the US with her husband (Vansh Bhardwaj). She immediately faces challenges in her new household with immense family pressure and lack of living space turning out to be the core problem areas. With more Delhi-based films like “Love Aaj Kal” and “It’s My Life” releasing soon, there may be more portrayals of Punjabi culture on offer this year.

“As a Punjabi, I definitely feel wonderful to see Punjab and Punjabis as the centre of mainstream cinema, but here in Bollywood what sells is screened,” says actor Mangal Dhillon. He adds, “In our industry it’s a rat race, people follow whatever sells, and it’s a coincidence that movies that have Sikhs, Punjab and its culture, are doing well. Ask him it is not for the love of the culture that these filmmakers are making movies and he says, “Bollywood maya nagari hai, love does not stand much chance here,” He explains, “Amitabh Bachchan is a brilliant actor, but he was presented as an angry young man in almost all his early movies. Why? Because they became a hit and directors and producers tagged him with action and anger. Same is the case with Punjab and Punjab-centric movies, they are becoming a hit so they are making it.”

Vansh Bhardwaj, who is playing a Punjabi man in Deepa Mehta’s Videsh, says, “It’s the rich and vibrant culture that is drawing filmmakers to Punjab.” Ask him if the portrayal was different from what we saw in films earlier and he replies, “No, not really, Yash Raj banner has been showcasing Punjab in almost all of his films, but the difference these days is we have Punjab all over the silver screen.” He adds, “It’s not only in movies that we Punjabis are making the mark, but it’s also on the international music scene that Punjabi music is topping the charts. Thanks to the hip-hop beats and international liking.”

Actor Jimmy Shergill says, “Punjab has always been there with characters quite prominent. So, we can’t say it’s a new trend.” But he adds, “Storyline is an important factor and these days we are seeing a strong Punjabi wave; courtesy Punjabi directors’ foraying into mainstream cinema.”

Not happy with the Punjab’s portrayal in Bollywood movies, Iqbal Dhillon, director, says, “Bollywood is going the Punjab way only because we have a lot of NRIs. They give business to Bollywood directors and that is why they make sure to have a scene or two of Punjab.” Talking about Yash Raj Chopra, who is hailed as Punjab promoter, Dhillon says, “He is not a Punjab advocate, in fact his movies have always represented Punjabis as fools.” He adds, “It was only in Border and Pratigya that Punjabis were shown in the right light. Otherwise Bollywood is just making buffoons out of Punjabis. Singh is Kinng is one great example.”

“Punjab-centric movies have always been saleable, courtesy the NRIs,” says singer and actor Baba Sehgal. He adds, “Directors make movies keeping the international market in mind and Punjab sells, so they make movies that has Punjab.”

Talking apna Punjab, actor Kulraj Randhawa says, “Punjab is definitely the buzz these days and it is because of the beautiful locales, lush green fields and the rich culture. In this era of concrete jungle, where do we find such beauty?” Well, in the end we can surely say balle balle!

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

Zazen Art Center, the name may sound a little exotic (Zazen is a Japanese word for meditation) but the two people behind the centre are very much homegrown — Tirthankar Bhattacharya and Anju Pasricha in the capacity of director curator and patron, respectively. And the idea, which brewed over a cup of tea, is now a reality with its inaugural group show on at this gallery in Sector 47.

Most of the names featuring in the list of participants are a tad too familiar — Mahesh Prajapati, Ambalika Sood, Ananad Shinde, Anjali S Aggrawal and so on, except for a few like Praveen Tewari and Vikas Bhardwaj who are from Delhi. But it is the curator director who grabs our attention. Not because of his surname Bhattacharya (yes, he is the son of eminent art historian D. C. Bhattacharya) but also this young man has a Ph D in Iconography and teaches art history at the Department of Art History and Visual Art.

Like father, like son. So, how much was the genetic factor and how much was the environment that decided his career path?

“I don’t know about genes, but the environment definitely did the trick. It was art for breakfast, art for lunch and art for dinner. And, in between, interactions with father’s friends and great teachers like C Shivramamurthy, S. K. Saraswati and Alka Pande enriched me,” he says.

Now that he has decided to step out of his academic gambit and help art to reach out to the masses, how much advantage his background provides him? “Not that I am actively dealing with art for the first time,” says Tirthankar who has been organising get-togethers for city artists ever since his father started the trend when he was the chairperson of Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi. “But yes, now we have a platform for both known and unknown artists,” he says. “And, apart from idealogy, I want to sell art,” he adds. Tirthankar wants to do away with the notion that art do not sell in the city and he plans to do that by targeting corporate houses, hospitals, banks and even schools as his clientele.

And guess what are the advantages we as buyers are going to enjoy from Zazen? “I have kept tab on practically all artists of the city, who are the potential ones and which are the names worth buying if one is thinking from an investment’s point of view,” he says. Well, Tirthankar wouldn’t give away the names of the bankable artists of the city, but he helps us with a few tips for first-time buyers — “First the painting you chose should appeal you visually, for you are going to live with it. Second is medium. You may like a collage, but that is difficult to preserve. In terms of longitivity oil on canvas should be the first preference, followed by acrylic on canvas. The third point one should consider is the space for which you are buying a painting. And, the last but not the least discuss with the curator for his opinion. You will be benefited,” he concludes. We sure are counting on him for the last one!

Exhibition is on till March 28.

parbina@tribunemail.com

Can smile be defined as the mere movement of lips? Or, frown as the curl of forehead? Should pain be called just a throbbing sensation? Can you describe love, fear, hope, life? It’s in description of the abstract where words fall short and picture speaks the proverbial thousand words. Just as in the ongoing photographic project The Roots People by Pierre de Vallombreuse at Alliance Francaise-36.

Not many fortunate folks in the developed flourishing nations spare a thought for the ethnic minorities, those at the helm of turmoil and conflict zones. The collection of photographs is the perfect excuse to do just that. Pause, probe and ponder. Whether it’s the old man staring in the lens, a child tugging onto the edge of a boat or even the rural kids playing cricket, each frame forces the viewer to reflect, introspect.

Thirty-six photos taken in black and white obviate the use of colour, almost rendering their function as distracting. Speaking on the subject, by the author’s own admission, “Working on the subject of ethnic minorities is first of all an exploration of the world and its inhabitants. It is a question of one’s self regarding the diversity of responses to life on earth.” A part of the project dealing with India took place at the end of last year itself.

Moving on, there’s a dense jungle reflecting shadows and silence, somewhere a cow at the end of a cliff that appears both eerie and soul stirring, and there’s the mundane of countryside scene like rural kids playing cricket against the backdrop of the sunset, eternal transcending horizon. Yet, it speaks volumes, just like another frame in which there’s a man going about his work in an auto, while yet another climbs a wall adjacent to a person sitting in his shop with one more staring into oblivion. The four men symbolising directions. So connected, yet so different. If some are thought provoking, others outright freeze. Like the first one itself of a boy and a girl sinking into the sea, or the one of a chef cooking with countless sea-fish hanging above. Worth a glimpse!

On till April 3

manpriya@tribunemail.com

The prize distribution of the SJOBA Thunderbolt rally was held on Monday at St John’s School and the prizes were distributed by India’s Ambassador to Iran Manbir Singh.

How did we learn about different colours and combinations? It all came from the nature. Still, can we repeat nature? No way, we can only imitate to some extent and not recreate. But still we can enjoy the sight.

When most of my friends ask me what time is a good time to visit Chandigarh, I say it’s the first half of April. The city renews itself with colours with the onset of spring. One can draw inspiration to select trees and other flora for plantation, especially in the new colonies where there is tremendous scope to select and plant.

Most of the trees start blooming in the month of April, spreading colour. The effect is the most when the flowers appear on trees that are leafless and the canopy is completely filled with colour. The foremost in the category is the Tecoma argentia, known by its first name by the nurserymen. The bold deep yellow flowers appear on the leafless tree in April and completely fill the canopy. The beauty of the tree is the most due to contrast with the blue-sky background. The tree grows to a height and spread of 20 feet. The tree is propagated through seeds.

It is not only the contrast that gives distinction. Surprisingly, the violet-blue flowering Jacaranda mimosifolia (Nilli Gulmohur), when in flowering, gives equally good effect against the sky. Flowers like Tecoma appear on the leafless tree and start during middle of April. They turn the ground blue when the flowers are shed. This tree is also propagated through seed. Due to the ‘miniature’ foliage, this tree has also caught the fancy of bonsai freaks.

And if you thought it was only the flowers that mattered for colour, then you will have to change your concept. There are trees when put forth new growth give a range of colour. This is the time when the new leaves emerge in Pilkhan. The colour range is from red and pink to light green and deep glossy green. Being at the different stages of growth now in an avenue, they present the complete range during this period. The tree, however, is essentially the avenue tree for very wide roads.

Another tree that dots long avenues in Chandigarh is Kusum. They are also valued for deep red foliage that appears around this time. The tree has thick foliage and is suitable for avenue plantation and also for big parks. When planted in a group of three or four in a park, it can break the green monotony, declaring the onset of spring with ‘red’ display.

You can also look forward to the flowering treat from Lagerstroemia rosea that gives pink mauve flowers during this time. Seeing this spreading and medium sized tree in flowers, one may call it the ‘Pride of India’ in a trance and that is its name too.

It’s bit hard picturing a car lacking the all-essential audio system. A car audio system is an inseparable part of the investment that comes with the road ride. Car audio systems these days are actually getting broken down into more and more specialised parts like head units, amplifiers, speakers, auxiliary input device and an USB input port. All this sophisticated work comes together to bring a solid audio experience.

The head unit is similar to the brain or the controlling epicenter of a computer. It mixes and handles the tuning, volume, and bass. Some devices are capable of physically storing numerous CDs which are called CD changers and allow you the convenience of shuffling between the CDs to look for tracks without the need to take out the disk. CD changer is now replaced with a USB drive which can store more music too. Still some fans get a CD changer installed cause CD’s produce better sound as compared to a USB drive.

Let’s roll to the speakers now, which are certainly the most awesome and well, the most important factor in a car audio system. The different styles vary from cone versions to ribbon version, with their own share of pros and cons, and which you will need to keep an eye out for. And when talking about essentials, we can’t pass up discussion about the amplifiers. This allows the system to boost and intensify the signals from the unit to enhance their audibility. Lots of models can be found in electronics stores, available in styles like the mono, the stereo and all the way up to the multi-channel.

As an aside, a few shopping tips for you now. A basic system does not need to cost a real pile of money, and the sound quality will turn out to be quite good anyway, if the components come from a quality and trusted brand. To see it from another angle, plan and picture out how you will use it. An example would be to just get yourself a pure CD MP3 player if you really are not after frills.

There are also some speaker positioning issues that you need to be solved. For example, if you are interested in a basic system, then what will work for you is to acquire front speakers and skip the rear ones.  

Those in the car audio market right now are more sophisticated, more compact in size, and are supported by a multiple sound format, aside from the more awesome technology features.  

In any case, whatever you end up bringing home at the end of the day will be determined by your budget and your own car audio taste and whether you think you are better off with a do-it-yourself, or an out of the box system. Unsurprisingly, most of the premier brands are still pricey, but the perk is that they do come with a guarantee and service on parts comes smoothly. For such things as speakers it is always advisable to purchase speakers a reliable and tested manufacturer.

Haute pick Shot cut The Fujifilm Z33WP is a 10-megapixel every day Life-Proof camera, which can withstand depths of 10-ft, but it is not shockproof. Some other features include a 3x optical zoom lens, Face Detection Technology, Automatic Red Eye Removal, Auto scene recognition and blog mode, which automatically resizes images to 640×480 for quick net upload. The Z33WP will reach India in the next month or two, and would be tagged below Rs. 15000. It will come in three colour schemes including black, green or pink with a rechargeable Li-ion battery, which would give you enough power for up to 200 shots.

amitpalsinghgrewal@gmail.com

In recent years, online social networking has created powerful new ways to communicate and share information. Most social network websites provide ways for users to interact, such as emails and instant messaging services. Social networking websites are being used regularly by millions of people, and it now seems that social networking will be an enduring part of everyday life.

Google’s social networking service – Orkut, which kicked off as just a 20% time project of Orkut Büyükkökten- its creator, has come to be known, as the world’s most popular social networking site. What started in 2004 as a mission to help users connect by building online communities of people who share interests and activities and organise information, today has gone to become one of the biggest social network giants in India. 17.06% of Orkut members are Indians, making us the second largest nation on its network.

 According to the latest comscore estimates, in India Orkut has reigned as the most visited social networking site with more than 12.8 million visitors, an increase of 81 per cent from the previous year. Orkut has been facing stiff competition from Facebook in the recent past, where it managed to lose its share to the social networking site. One of the key reasons for Orkut’s success is a belief that good ideas can, and should, come from anywhere, be it the users themselves, and the stress is always on creating something new and innovative.

To begin with, Orkut has introduced a number of privacy features, giving users the right to decide on accessibility to individual profiles.

Then came the “Open Social”, a set of applications that extended from games to programs to help you invite friends to a particular location that you marked on a map.

With dial-up connections still very slow in India, and the mobile infrastructure limited to 2G, Orkut responded with a low-bandwidth version and a mobile version, which could preserve the experience even at low speeds..

To cater to its Indian members, the site also introduced an application so users could use Indian languages (Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, to name a few) to manage their accounts.

 Over a period of time Orkut once again saw that its audience graph go up three times the size of its nearest competitor in the category. Other social networks like Facebook, which captured the second slot with 4 million visitors, up 150 percent versus year ago, followed by local social networking site Bharatstudent.com with 3.3 million visitors (up 88 per cent) and hi5.com with 2 million visitors (up 182 per cent). — Agency

With million of new cars hitting Indian roads every year, high-end car gizmos are making a zipping entry into Punjab, where people are extremely enthusiastic about using sophisticated gadgets. The trend is gaining momentum as Punjabis get interested in devices that allow not just listening to music but also watching TV, playing video games, charging laptops and talk effortlessly on the phone while driving.

Devices like central locking, leather upholstery and paint protection systems have become the order of the day. GPS navigation systems, multimedia systems and car PCs are gaining popularity as well.

“Now we are getting a lot of varieties. Ladies are more interested in car accessories then men. They want their cars well maintained. It has become a status symbol,” said Mandeep Chaddha, a car accessory distributor. The car accessory market is estimated to be worth 250 million dollars, and is expected to double by 2010 witnessing around 25 per cent growth year-on-year.

To provide genuine accessories to clients auto-manufacturers are tying up with manufacturers of car accessories. MapmyIndia Navigator, the recently launched in-car GPS navigation device now comes as a standard accessory in all variants of General Motors’s premium cars in India. Such collaborations ensure that there is exchange of technical know how and market knowledge between the foreign companies and their Indian partners . — ANI

Unnerved by the failure of his last release Chandni Chowk to China, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar today said he was confident about forthcoming super natural film Tasveer 8x10, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, will do well.

“I did Nagesh’s film because I liked the story and went by the director’s instinct. I am confident it will do well,” Akshay, who has taken a break from comedies to feature in thrillers in 2009, said.

The actor said he was used to ‘over the top’ performances in his last few films but Nagesh wanted him to be restrained. “I got irritated for the first four days of our schedule but on the fifth day we understood each other and I decided to go by the director’s vision,” he said adding that this was the reason for rumours surfacing about him walking off the sets after fighting with the director.

“I would never do that with any director. I am satisfied with the end result and happy that I followed his vision.” Asked about the huge money riding on his shoulders, Akshay, whose upcoming films in 2009 includes big budget movies like Blue, Kambhakt Ishq, Houseful and De Dhana Dhan among others, said, producers have earned money through his films from 2006-08.

Tasveer 8x10, that releases on April 3, is the last release before the producers bodies’ ban on screening films in multiplexes comes into effect from April 4. —PTI

Deepika Padukone has had a dream-run in Bollywood with just three releases, but the model-turned-actor says her dream is to play the elegant Audrey Hepburn, her style icon. “I would like to play Audrey Hepburn, my style icon, in movies like Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Roman Holiday,” Deepika said on the sidelines of the Wills India Fashion Week (WIFW), where she walked the ramp for Ranna Gill and Rina Dhaka’s collections sponsored by luxury brand Fiama Di Wills.

After debuting opposite Shah Rukh Khan in 2007 hit Om Shanti Om and doing Chandni Chowk To China with Akshay Kumar, Deepika’s next is Love Aaj Kal alongside Saif Ali Khan. And she is all praise for filmmaker Imtiaz Ali of Jab We Met fame.

“I enjoyed working with Imtiaz Ali in his movie Love Aaj Kal, where he cast me opposite Saif. It was a dream working for a sensitive director like him. Imtiaz just seemed to know the kind of person we were and brought out the best in us. He guided all through the movie,” said the leggy beauty who was dressed in a simple black halter-neck.

Deepika is now looking forward to begin work for newcomer Vijay Lalwani’s Kartik Calling Kartik, which also stars actor-director Farhan Akhtar and Boman Irani. “It is an offbeat movie, a psychological thriller. But I am not going to talk much about it,” she said.

The actor admits she has a soft corner for action movies, though all genres appeal to her.

“An action movie is something I have always wanted to do, but I cannot specify any real genre that appeals to me. Cinema today is changing. And as an actor, I will never throw my hands up... will never be happy saying this is the best character I have portrayed. I am critical of myself, rarely happy,” said Deepika.

As Indian cinema changes to adapt new formats and contents, Deepika feels the role of women in cinema is also changing.

“It is becoming more challenging. Even in the past, there were movies where women did not have to run around trees. An actor could opt to show off her talent.”

eople, she explained, have this strange notion that if a woman wears make-up, she cannot be taken seriously.

“Take off your make-up and only then you can do serious cinema. But glamorous roles and a glamorous screen presence do not make one a non-actor. The content of cinema is also changing, evolving... it is no longer the regular boy meets girl,” the actor said.

Deepika usually decides on the projects she takes up after reading the scripts.

“The movies are my call though I run my parents through what I am doing. But they are new to movies, hence unfamiliar. But after Om Shanti Om and Bachna Aai Haseeno, I have matured,” she said.

The actor confesses that she is not much of a bookworm. “But I am reading the Kite Runner now and it might turn out to be the best book I have ever read. I have grown up listening to all kinds of music - from Kishore da to Mohammed Rafi,” she said.

Deepika, who is former badminton player Prakash Padukone’s daughter, says she was good in other sports besides badminton as well.

“Apart from badminton, I played state-level basketball, baseball and was an athlete,” she said. —IANS

Fanaa, Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par, Delhi-6 and Ghajini fame lyricist pen weaves magic with poetic words. His lyrics are evocative and inspirational but this time lyricist, dialogue writer and regional executive director of Mc Cann Worldgroup India, Prasoon Joshi was inspired by the film Sikandar and decided to write a song for it.

Sikandar, a film jointly produced by BIG Pictures and Sudhir Mishra is what got the multi talented Joshi, to write the promotional song, Dhoop Ke Sikke composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. We talk to Prasoon Joshi on his take on the film, children and terrorism.

Writing lyrics seems to be more of a passion for you. So how do you select a film?

It is very instinctive I don’t really have a set of rules to select a film. But yes, I do make sure that the song I am writing has a role to play in the film.

Dhoop Ke Sikke in Sikandar gave a second opportunity to write a song for children after Taare Zameen Par. Is there any special bond you have with children that inspires you to write?

Taare Zaamen Par is very different from Sikander for more than one reason. Dhoop Ke Sikke speaks about the tragedy of a child and Taare Zaamen Par was about this one special child. I write lyrics for films that inspire me.

Your lyrics are very descriptive. How easy is it to describe the simplest of the beauty in an illustrious way?

I am a simple man and I like to simplify things in my life as well. So I guess my simplified life, simplifies my poetry too. And also it makes it easier for people to relate to the songs.

Can you tell us, what was that one thing that moved you the most in the film Sikandar?

One thing that struck me the most was the basic thought of the film.

What is the one message or one emotion that you tried putting across with the lyrics of Dhoop Ke Sikke?

When you look at these young terrorists killing so many people it is very easy to blame them but do you really think they are wholly responsible for this? If not, who do you think is responsible? Society, religion or may be us. That is what I have tried to put forth in this song.

Shakar-Ehsaan-Loy and you are already a dynamic combination after the super success of Taare Zameen Par. How does it feel to be back with them?

One thing that I have to say is I was honoured that Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy agreed to do this song on my request, and I cannot thank them enough. And as far as our working chemistry is concerned we get along really well and most important, they understand the meaning of my lyrics very well.

Your upcoming projects

London Dreams and a small message-oriented film for which, I wrote only the theme song.

— Dharam Pal

Despite finding commercial success as Chanda in Dev-D, debutante Kalki Koechlin is in no hurry to join the rat-race of Bollywood and hopes to make a career out of doing meaningful roles.

“I feel settled in life and at peace with myself. Life changed after Dev D, but I am not keen on commercial cinema or any rat race of such sort,” Koechlin said.

Koechlin was a part-time model and theatre actor before getting her big break with Dev D, which saw her portray a school-girl who turns prostitute to support herself after being disowned by her parents post a MMS scandal. The debut was a daring choice for Kalki, especially in a industry that is quick to typecast its actor.

“The role was so special, it had to be done. It just could not be refused. And I am not looking for a career in commercial cinema, so it does not matter,” said Kalki, who was in the capital to attend Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. The former model enjoyed the stint on the ramp as she modelled for designer Preeti Kapoor.

“I had attended fashion week last year. I was doing a hair show, but it was very low profile then. I enjoyed the experience as the clothes are very bohemian, a lot like my personal style,” says the actor. —PTI

Over the last decade she has held cinegoers enthralled with her ‘’bubbly and vivacious urban girl’’ acts in films like Kya Kehna, Dil Se, Koi Mil Gaya and Armaan.

Of late, barring her critically acclaimed act in The Last Lear and a brief appearance in Heroes, one has not seen much of Bollywood actor Preity Zinta on screen, something that one would tend to attribute to her association with the IPL tournament in capacity as the owner of the Punjab’s XI.

Preity, however, insists that she has always been choosy about her films.

‘’All through my career, I have done the least amount of films compared to all my contemporaries. In fact, if you look at the number of films done by me and those done by other actors who started their career at the same time as I did, you will find that I have done just half the films done by other actors,’’ Preity said

While admitting that some of her time had been taken up by the IPL, Preity said that even otherwise she had never signed films left right and centre.

‘’Yes, my time has been divided by the IPL matches. But then I have never signed films mindlessly. I have always been choosy about the films I do. I usually do only one or two films at a time. In fact, something has to really excite me for me to do it. If I am not 100 per cent interested in a film, I am the greatest devil to have on the sets,’’ said Preity, who will now be seen in Deepa Mehta’s Heaven On Earth in the role of Chand, a girl born and brought up in the small town of Ludhiana who moves to Canada with her husband Rocky only to find herself locked in a loveless marriage and a life of beatings and torture by her husband and in-laws.

Preity said one reason for her being seen in fewer films could be the fact that what inspired her, say, five to eight years ago no longer interested her.

‘’Actually what inspires me today is not what inspired me five to eight years ago. I still get a lot of films offers where I wonder whether there is something for me to do,’’ Preity said.

At the same time, the actor said considering the position she was in today, she had more than enough films in hand. ‘’Where I am today, I have more than enough films. In 2000 or 2001 I had one film a year and this year I have three films coming up,’’ the actor said.

Currently, the actor is really excited about Deepa Mehta’s Heaven On Earth, which releases in India on March 27. ‘’It has been one of the most interesting and intriguing roles of my life. In fact, it is going to be among the top five films of my career,’’ she says. — UNI

They didn’t spend the expected period of time with her in the Bigg Boss house but her Indian co-stars are sad and upset at the news of her demise. They fondly remember the lively and always smiling Jade Goody.

“I am feeling extremely sad to know about it (Jade’s demise). We were hoping that some miracle would happen and she would live for many more years,” TV actor and one of Jade’s Bigg Boss 2 inmates Ketaki Dave said.

Added another inmate and music reality show winner, Debojit Saha: “I can’t believe she is no more. It all happened so fast and suddenly that I am not able to come to terms with it. She was so lively and she always kept smiling.”

After scorching headlines for making racial comments against Bollywood actor and inmate Shilpa Shetty in Britain’s reality show Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, Jade came to India to participate in the second season of the Indian version Bigg Boss August last year. But she left the reality show after she was diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s a very sad news. I was shocked to hear it despite knowing that she had to go eventually. I am all the more worried about her kids now as children (Bobby, five, and Freddie, four) at that age need their mother the most,” said Raja.

Jade is survived by husband Jack Tweed, 21, and her two sons. — IANS