Living on the edge
Stunt guru Alan Amin, on the lookout for a Stunt God, believes in living life dangerously
Neha Walia

A 300 ft jump from a cliff, freezing waters rushing beneath, blowing-up high-rise concrete structures, smashing cars, sometimes even burning cars somersaulting over the other, high speed chases in air, water and on road and action packed face-offs with dangerous creatures. For most of us, these are flashes of a worst nightmare, but for Alan Amin, India’s most celebrated stunt guru and the man behind the mindboggling stunts in Bollywood, it is everyday life.

“It is part of my job. When I design a stunt, I want every element to work, no matter how many times I have to blow up the building or smash cars, it is not a problem,” he says with an ease that is accentuated by a smile. Sure, we know the man has changed the face of action in Bollywood. “The change is very much visible, and with special effects, technology and change of attitude of stars, the action just got bigger,” he adds.

In the city, Alan is ready to get the action live on small screen. He will judge and train participants in MTV’s new stunt reality show, Pulsar MTV Stunt Mania, “The show will have participants who will perform extreme biking stunts and the winner be the Stunt God.” But the thrill-pill for him is, “The fact that I will be training people and not stars, with a potential to be bigger than any Bollywood stunts. Also, it is not just restricted to boys, push them a bit and girls are much in the game,” says the hardcore biker .

Back to Bollywood, he says that the current lot of actors is very much willing to get into the action mode, “Ninety per cent actors now do their stunts themselves. Even the ladies. They want to become heroes too,” jokes the man who made Ash, Bips and Priyanka ‘taste the thunder’ with high-on-action sequences. Any mental blocks involved? “Performing stunts needs a heart, not brain,” he replies. Ask him his favourite action star and he turns a diplomat, “I told you they are all good.” But nevertheless gives us a hint by saying, “It is easy to do a stunt with someone like Akshaye Kumar as he is well-trained.”

He is ready with more bike chases on roof-tops and planes crashing into trains. “My upcoming projects Luck, Prince and Action Replay are total action entertainers. One of the most dangerous stunts I did for Luck has Imran Khan and Shruti Hasan swimming with over 50 sharks, without any protection.” Exciting with a capital E. No wonder he declares Imran Khan as the next big action star!

lifestyle@tribunemail.com

Light, Camera, Action Love, hate, jealousy, bitching, fist fighting, mud slinging and a zillion beeps…that’s the recent definition of entertainment and we are loving it. But making room for some more thrills and chills is MTV, yet again taking entertainment to the fifth gear. With its new stunt reality show, Pulsar MTV Stunt Mania, the new terminology would be wheelies, stoppies, Flamingo, burnout, frogger, drama, speed and lots of unadulterated, mind-blowing, live action. The first ever stunt biking show on Indian television, the eigth-part series will have ten of India’s most passionate bikers performing stunts in a face-off, who will be selected and then trained by Alan Amin. So, another knock-out entertainer? “We area purists when it comes to entertainment. The youth wants thrill, and we are giving them just that,” says Ashish Patil, general manager, MTV India and Sr VP creative and content. “The weight will be on action and performance, not room realities and politics,” he adds. The show fills in the unserved need of stunt biking adventure in India. Well, if action and adventure are your siblings and biking your parent, you know where home is!

An actor and a gentleman
Romit Raj supports the cause of the girl child both in reel and real life 
Mona

Romit Raj, the Yuvraj and Jeet of Maayka and Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiayaan, respectively on Zee, got so much influenced by the portrayal of women issues on the small screen that he has joined hands with Kiran Bedi’s Navjyoti India Foundation to support the woman cause.

“When Zee started the campaign with the Navjyoti foundation to save the girl child through its new show Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, I as Zee cast was promoting the campaign. During that I decided to go a step further and support a girl child. I am much impressed by Rajnikant for the amount of social work he puts in, it’s a humble effort on my part,” he says in a web conference with Lifestyle.

Determined to be an actor, Romit landed in Mumbai in 2002. A year later he debuted with Shaka Laka Boom Boom. He acted in two movies Hum Dum and Yatra. With not many projects materialising on the movie front, Romit turned to small screen: “Though television is women-centric largely, I am happy to be Raaj and Jeet, two characters who are popular among women.”

While trying for substantial roles in films, Romit in the meantime chose to do meaningful roles on small screen: “It’s my struggle period. It took even Abhishek Bachchan 13 films to prove himself. For someone like me without a godfather, might take a little longer, yet I am hopeful.” And then, it’s not that easy to get a good break. “Out of the 10 movies made today I would not like to watch even five. Out of the remaining five, three have superstars. About the other two, I guess their directors have not been following Maayka or Betiyaan,” he jokes.

Known to be a perfectionist in telly circles, Romit tries to take work seriously: “I believe in rehearsing the scenes and giving my best shot. For me work is work whether for the big screen or the small. Sometimes my directors tease me by calling Aamir Khan, but I take it as a complement.”

How stressful does the telly work get? “Well, it is stressful. We have long shifts without many holidays but now I have gotten used to it. Bhagte bhagte bhagne ki aadat si ho gayi hai. Now a day off poses a big problem for me.”

Despite the hectic schedules the actor keeps fit with regular sessions of gym and yoga. A multifarious person, he is as much active in cyber world as in spiritual world. “Vipasana helps gain sense of balance in life.” He is in touch with his viewers through his website romitraj.com and into blogging for the past four years.

Talking about his new projects, he says: “I am definitely coming up with new shows this year. One of them could be an anchor- based show.”

This year is going to be notable on personal front too as Romit is dating Shilpa Shinde (Soni of Maayka) and the couple is planning to tie the knot this very year.

mona@tribunemail.com

Signature style
A book titled Michelle Style: Celebrating the First Lady of Fashion, will talk about the First Lady’s varied fashion sense

Guess what?
Italian fashion house Gucci sues rival fashion and leather goods label Guess Inc

“Rather than going through the effort and expense of developing and creating their own unique designs, defendants have chosen to target Gucci by knowingly and slavishly replicating Gucci’s world famous design elements and designations,” the lawsuit said. The Gucci Group is owned by France’s PPR SA.A spokesperson for Guess was not immediately available for comment. —Reuters

Taste bhi, health bhi
For the calorie conscious lot, iced tea has become a healthier option
Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra

Chilled, is the only word that sounds good in this blistering summer heat. It must have been on a hot summer day when Richard Blechynden, a tea plantation owner (during the 1904 World's Fair in St Louis), discovered an innovative way to serve tea—cold. While he poured the delicious beverage over ice to entice his guests, for the calorie conscious people of today, ice tea is definitely the preferred drink over the aerated colas. And more to what sets this tea apart from the usual cold drinks is a few health benefits it offers.

When we are talking of health, let's make a mention that iced tea can well be called as one of the healthiest summer beverages. Says dietician Madhu Arora from GMCH-32, "Iced tea is definitely better than a hot cup of tea which we people leave simmering for good 10-20 minutes. Though iced tea does not serve as a radical health drink, but yes flavours like peach and lemon are anti-oxidants and are a good source of vitamin C, which is needed in the body during summers."

She adds, "But one must remember it is a synthetic drink and cannot be replaced with the goodness of natural juice. But then it is a refreshing summer drink, better than a hot cup of tea."

To add to that we say, the best part about iced tea is that almost any garden herb can spruce up the drink. Try mint or any other herb that catches your fancy. Or, freeze some fruit in your ice tray and drop in the cubes into a tall glass of iced tea for that oh-so-delicious flavour.

Thanks to the growing number of people who dare to go beyond ek pyala garam chai, iced tea is now available in a bouquet of flavours. You can choose from green apple, pineapple and orange, besides the regular peach and lemon. Infused in lip-smacking flavours, a sip of this fruity flavoured tea can get you hooked.

Says, Jai Gulati, owner of Empire Stores-17, "Iced tea is definitely picking up and it's not only old people who like it, but youngsters too have developed a taste for it." Ask him what all varieties are available and he says, "We have the apple, lemon and peach flavours."

So far, so good. And branded iced teas, which till now could be taken home only in tetra packs, are now available in pre-mix powder form too. So, all you have to do is stir in the powder with ice-cold water and chill out!

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

Bon Appetit
The hidden agenda
Kandla Nijhowne

When we are about to transfer food into our bellies, we are tickled indeed when we find that the food itself is hiding some unexpected stuffing in its own belly! I was sorely tempted to name this column: "Get Stuffed", but it does border on abusive, doesn't it? At home, we will come across the ol'faithful kofta, stuffed with some crumbled cheese, or a dried plum, or a clump of tamarind. Fillings can be ever so intriguing, (unless they are the dental sort!) but somehow we are wary of attempting other stuffed fancies, apprehensive about the difficulty level and the neatness of the resulting parcels. Allow me, dear readers to take you on a conducted tour of the intrigue of stuffings and pointers to assured success! A rudimentary rule worth following is that the filling ingredients may be soft but the mixture that blankets over it must cook to a reasonable firmness, ensuring no breakage. There will be a dramatic element of surprise when a chosen stuffing is of a contrasting taste, texture and colour to the enveloping food.

Cheesy stuffed mushrooms

Ingredients

1 medium brinjal

4 tablespoons oil

½ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

½ cup mixed chopped fresh parsley, cilantro and dill (or use any one or a combination of any two)

8-10 large mushrooms

salt, to taste

ground black pepper, to taste

½ cup shredded cheese

Method

Clean the mushrooms with a damp cloth or paper towel. Remove the stems, chop them finely and reserve. Put mushroom cups aside. Peel and cut the brinjal into small cubes and arrange them in a colander with a sprinkling of a tablespoon of salt. Put the colander in a sink and place a weight, such as a plate or lid, on top and leave for about 15 minutes, to allow the bitter dark juices of the brinjal cubes to drain. Rinse and gently squeeze the cubes to remove as much moisture as possible. In a medium frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the brinjal cubes and fry, turning frequently until light brown on all sides. Add the chopped mushroom stems and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Preheat the oven to 350?F (180?C). In a medium, mixing bowl, combine the cooked mixture, chopped walnuts and fresh herbs. Stir and season with salt and pepper to taste. Using a teaspoon, fill each mushroom cup with a generous amount of stuffing. Sprinkle the tops with shredded cheese. Transfer the mushrooms to a baking sheet. Bake in the middle rack of the oven for about 20 minutes, or until the mushroom cups feel tender and the cheese has melted.

Stuffed chicken A la' King

Ingredients

½ cup grated mozzarella cheese

2 tablespoons chopped mushrooms or ham

1 medium sized onion, chopped

1 cup chopped spinach

2 teaspoons mustard paste

Salt and pepper to taste

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 egg white

½ cup plain dry breadcrumbs

1 ½ teaspoons olive oil (or any other)

1 tbsp melted butter

Method

Preheat oven to 400°F (190-200?C). Grease a square of foil and fit into a deep dish, ready to receive the chicken later. Lightly fry the onion and ham (or mushrooms) in a little oil. Add spinach and cook very briefly so you retain the green colour. Cool and mix with the mustard and pepper in a small bowl. Envelope each halved chicken breast loosely and separately in a length of cling-film and flatten with a mallet or a rolling-pin. Unwrap and place one-fourth of the filling in the center of the thinned out breast. Sprinkle a fourth of the cheese over the top and fold the breast flaps over the filling, pressing the edges firmly together to seal. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts, the filling and the cheese.

Lightly beat egg white with a fork in a medium bowl. Place breadcrumbs in a shallow glass dish. Dip each chicken breast in egg white, and then dredge in breadcrumbs, pressing all around the surface to ensure that the crumbs adhere.

Heat oil in a nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook quickly, turning once, until browned on both sides. The process should really only result in the parcels getting sealed and browned but not cooked through. Place the chicken, on the prepared foil, drizzle with some melted butter and bake until it is no longer pink in the center. Serve hot with a salad of your choice or warm, tossed veggies and potato chips.

To mom, with love
For moms with contemporary choices, arcades are brimming with youthful stuff with effervescent style and verve on Mother’s Day, says Saurabh Malik

Move over, predictable salwar-kameez with imposingly unimposing floral prints. Pave way for smarter and sleeker glam-doll moms sashaying down the enchanting ramp of life in versatile spaghetti tops, and boyfriend jeans. The ones brimming with effervescent style and verve!

Just in case you are wondering why this hullabaloo about mothers and their dressing styles, don’t look perplexed.  Mother’s Day is just round the corner and its time to grab some exceptional gifts for unconventional mommies.

That’s right, folks! Moms have, over the years, metamorphosised into trendy and fabulous glam-goddesses from dressing-just-for-occasion-housewives. Their style reflects class. No wonder, the presents too have to radiate fresh fashion and panache.

Well fellows, so many fashion malls across the city are already stocking up cool stuff for oh-so-hot mom-babes. Finding it hard to believe? Listen to Puja Jain of Meena Bazaar. She will tell you all about it. “This mother’s day celebration stuff is pepped up with exotic touches of embroidery and lace; it has defining cuts; it’s nice and it’s cool”.

Reposing on a comfortable sofa in the air-conditioned environs of her Manimajra showroom, Puja says the indulgent, relaxed collection, this time around, offers you a chance to pick-up “some good Indo-western kurtis in cheerful and bright summery colours. The detailing and the prints lend a unique contemporary touch to each garment”.

Puja says mother day special tunics are also dangling from the hangers in arcades lined with temptation especially for the young moms. “They can team the stuff with shimmery tights essentially having gold and silver touch,” she asserts. “Embroidered achkans reflect amalgamation of the traditional with the contemporary and also look chic on youthful mothers”.

Explaining the trend, she says, “When you are young and beautiful, you need not allow motherhood to stand between you and your enhanced looks. The damsels of the world are fast realizing this. They pick, and expect the presenter of gifts to pick, stuff that’s essentially feminine and playful”.

This is not the end. Celebrate her. Indulge her. Love her. Acknowledge her presence by picking up some alluring jewellery with youthful overtones. “Okay, diamonds are a mom’s best friend! But, are out of your pocket money’s reach,” says Shruti of Raga-22. “Worry not! Go in for some glistening silver and kundan knick-knacks.” Something less expensive? Hop into your car and drive down to card, gift and chunk jewellery shops across the city for picking up the souvenirs of affection your mom received in her maiden days, but has forgotten in the grind of life.

“You have a complete series of special mother’s day gifts that exude youthful exuberance,” says Raman of the Jewels-11. “Up for grabs are key chains, refrigerator magnets, and even mugs. You can also return a bit of caring warmth by picking up nice talking teddies that sing in praise of moms, and even coasters specially designed for the occasion”.

Alright, you have been punching holes in her purse by borrowing money. Now make up for it by buying a good leather handbag. “You can choose from branded ones, or else go in for the not-so-expensive local ones,” says Raman. “The price varies between Rs 595 and Rs 1,000”. So folks, what are you waiting for? Make her feel all the more young with your little gifts of affection. Happy mother’s day! 

saurabh@tribunemail.com