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Help at hand
It's all about 'How to…'. How to be a diva in a dime? How to impress people... Even how to be spontaneous! And are you a loser whose girlfriend doesn't care two hoots about you, the boss seems to be running you down and your sister wouldn't mind selling you for a few bucks? Perfect! From a misplaced identity whom everybody seems to trample over to a stunner reeling in success. Grab your copy! If quantification of their popularity's an issue, take this. "The sheer size of the self-help, motivational section should be enough signifier of their demand," says Ajay
Arora, manager, Capital Book Depot, while pointing to a huge wall. He adds, "They're quite popular and across age-groups." Indeed. Psycho speak
Here comes the 'why to'? The flood of attention doesn't seem to restricted to books. Google the very word you wish to be, rich, beautiful, confident, there will be souls over the world to telling you how. "One obvious reason being people want to improve on themselves, get better, that explains their popularity," says Harpreet Kanwal Chhabra, chairperson, Department of Psychology. She adds, "The breakdown of the joint family, where there's no one to share too account for their flying of the shelves. Rather why just books, the Net is extensively used for the same purpose." A glance is all it takes. There's one that promises success, then riches, love, happiness, peace. So, there're 10 ways to overcome anger, 101 things to do when you're getting bored, seven simple steps to success, thirty days is all it takes to change the way people see you. Perhaps, equally inarguable is the range, the reach and spread of subjects covered. So, Seven Habits of highly effective people, How to win, how to be confident, were heard of. Certainly not Learn to be Your Own Lawyer in 30 days, Laws of Happiness, 101 secrets a Good Dad Knows, Why Men Love Bitches (A woman's guide to holding her own in a relationship) to even How to Fossilize Your Hamster (and other amazing experiments for armchair scientists)! How effective is the genre in general or it's simply the placebo effect? Komaldeep Randhawa, bank executive and avid reader, feels, "I don't remember having picked up any self-help book. I partially read, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, if you count it among the genre, but couldn't read through it all." Err…but isn't it enticing to come across a cover promising changed life in ten simple steps? Adds Komaldeep, "Generally, it's like read and forget. One needs to carry these all the time, keep referring for them to be significant." Ok, so how about pocket self-help books? On how to begin a conversation! |
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Short take
Her maiden book draws upon her experiences during boarding days at Lawrence School, Sanawar. Commenting on it, Tishaa said: "I'm happy to learn that I have been shortlisted for the award for my maiden book along with veteran writers and I'm thankful to all readers who have made it such a success ".
At present in Los Angeles (USA) to pursue her Filmmaking Course at Universal Studios, Tishaa shared her views in an email interview: Long and short of
it Amitav Ghosh, Nandan Nilekani and Chetan Bhagat also figure among the 15 writers whose works have made it to the long list of this year's Indiaplaza Golden Quill book awards this year. While 15 writers have been shortlisted in the Fiction Category, 13 have made it to the list of Non-Fiction Category. While Ghosh and Bhagat have been listed in the fiction category for their works Sea Of Poppies and The 3 Mistakes of My Life, respectively, Nandan Nilekani's work Imagining India has been recognised in the non-fiction section. Excerpts: What do you think are the strengths of your book Pink or Black that could give you an edge over the other leading writers you're competing with? This is almost true story of the teens, by a teen, for the teens with which all youngsters and their parents can easily correlate, the simple teenage lingo makes it interesting and everyone thinks it as his or her own story. I have just turned 19 and feel scared sometimes as there are hardly any youngsters in this league to compete with, the youngest is Chetan Bhagat at 36, almost double of my age. Some of the works of young writers like Chetan Bhagat have been made into films. Have you been approached by any filmmaker? Would you like Pink... to be made into a film? Yes, I have been approached by few leading filmmakers and my publisher is already into the final round of discussions as it's prerogative of a publisher to negotiate commercial terms. But if I'm lucky and the publisher does not sell the rights for the next one year, I may make a film of my own once I'm back after completing my filmmaking course at Universal Studios, LA. Do you see this nomination bringing more visibility to the city's book culture? Surely, Chandigarh is a city of literates and the book culture is again catching up after a heavy dose of electronic media entertainment. I have been receiving fan mails from even 11-year old girls from Chandigarh, which shows the love for reading that the city's pre-teens also have. Who among the fellow nominees or other new Indian writers are your favourites? Amitav Ghosh and Chetan Bhagat are good, but I'm a diehard fan of authors Meg Cobot and J. K Rowling. What're the titles you're reading these days? Hardly get the time these days due to our hectic course schedules, I start my day sometime at 5 am and get back to my apartment at midnight. Yes, but whenever I get time in between shooting, I read the Princess Diaries as a stress buster. Any message for the city's young readers or budding writers? Believe in your dreams and chase them till you achieve them, hard work has no substitute. Thank God always that we took birth in such a lovely and peaceful
city. chetnabanerjee@tribunemail.com |
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RULES: Pyaar ka no superhit formula
Drawing inspiration from our habitat, usually relationships fall in three categories- they're so cute, it makes me want to puke, he's is an *******, I deserve better and the most popular category, Relationship? What relationship? Dating is a game, with rules that you define at your own convenience and availability of 'resources'. Call it chaos, confusion or creativity, but when it comes to the DTR talk, we have found ourselves very innovative explanations, or lets say complications. Sorry, for leaving you with that question mark, DTR talk means define the relationship talk. Now, its like either you are dating or you are not. Wait a minute; I must have lost my mind or something because that happened in another bygone era. Today, you never know when you may get lucky with the opposite sex and start 'going out', 'seeing each other' or 'hang out' together. Relate all three and you know what's my point. Anyway, if you are not casual dating, multiple dating or dating online, all of which allow you to exercise freedom of cheat, then you must be ‘dating’ dating. That's where the seriousness comes in, no not the marriage kinds but forbidding the other to 'see' other poeple. But there's another confusion here. How to decide whether it's the I-can-see-my-future-in-your-eyes seriousness or you-are-the-flavour-of-the-month seriousness. Moving on, there is also a stage called 'hooking up', that comes with exclusive and non-exclusive versions. Another fad that I fail to understand is of friends with 'benefits'. Carrying out a casual, sexual relationship with a friend needs no investment, of either kind (emotional or financial). May be the reason why all Celebs are 'just good friends' to each other's. Well, tiring, as the process of dating may seem to a poor single resourceful person, the fun is always there. Just that the mumbo jumbo reminds me of the days when you found your true love sitting two benches next to you and the lunch breaks saw your friends singing Susie and Johny sitting on a tree,
K-I-S-S-I-N-G! Love was embarrassing, but easy! lifestyle@tribunemail.com |
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Rain strain
Each season gets its positive and negative impacts, especially for the beloved pets and monsoons are no different. For pet owners they need extra care for their pets during monsoons. Parasites: With humidity and rain, everything is in a growth spurt, including mosquitoes, flies, ticks and fleas. Most of these small, but quite harmful beings attack the pets during the rains and bring with them undesirable diseases like Flea bite allergy, fever, and other diseases which could either harm the pets health or even threaten their lives. Pet owners should ensure that the pets are treated with regular worm medication, tick and flea treatments during these seasons. Regular visit to the vet is recommended. Protection from wild animals: Dogs have an uncanny habit of chasing wild creatures like lizards, frogs and the likes. With rains, these creatures come into the open and become a source of entertainment for the dogs. For us, the sight can be quite amusing and cute; however, something that pet owners should be careful off. Dogs love to either eat them or hold them in their mouth; these creatures are quite toxic and holding them have actually led to violent deaths of some of the dogs around the world. The best way to protect them from getting poisoned from eating lizards or toads is to be outside with them. Inspect your gardens and surroundings regularly, and not to leave them outside unattended for very long. Dogs tend to explore and inspect with their noses whereas cats with their paws. So, dogs are more vulnerable to getting bit on their faces by spiders and lizards. Storm anxiety: Interestingly, some dogs suffer from storm anxiety and can get pretty distraught during the monsoon season. Their symptoms can range from mild to severe shaking, pulling their own hair, hiding, biting, and excessive chewing. There are anti-anxiety drugs available with vets to help ease the pet’s stress and fear during a thunderstorm. Other remedies that seem to work have been to prepare the pets before the storms arrive with a storm CD played in the background during the day while you are away at work. Another, option is to be with the pet or have someone else there to comfort and console them through the storm. Whatever method you choose, your pet will be grateful and you will have a deeper bond having made your pet feel safer. Food: It is important to realise that with monsoons come infections, especially from fresh meat like beef and chicken. Ensure that you buy meat from shops, which maintain very high hygiene standards or feed them with good quality prepared pet food, (international brands like Pedigree, Royal Canin are widely available) which are 100 per cent safe for your pet. Even the pet food needs to be stored in secure air- tight containers so that it is not exposed to humidity or moisture. We love our pets, so why not make a little bit of an effort in creating a safe and comfortable environment for them. After all, they are dependent on us for their growth, development and mercy. — TNS
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Visiting rights
“With time I have learnt that you shouldn’t leash your pets when you have guests over, says Harpreet Rahi, a homemaker from Mohali, and owner of a Rottweiler Cheetah. “This increases the curiosity in the pet and for some reason he will develop a disliking for that particular person. Now, if you leash him each time you have guests over, the pet will develop some kind of hate syndrome for the guests.” Harpreet suggests take the pet to the guests. Let him sniff and smell and react accordingly (But before that request the guests not to start screaming). Ask your friend to pat them a little and see the magic work. “A loving gesture like a pat or a smiling Hi to the pet can work wonders. I have seen even the ferocious ones wag tails and become friendly.” It could be possible that the pet fears guests or gets over excited. Either of the two situations, you don’t have it to create ruckus. Subham Sethi, a Panchkula based model recalls an incident when his otherwise docile Labrador Alaska got ferocious with a colleague who had come to see him at home. “I don’t know what triggered that reaction. She is normally quiet and very happy to see guests. As a precautionary measure I make it a point to engage her in something else when I have guests over. In the meantime the guests also settle and when she sees them suddenly it’s not startling.” So, here it is. Next time you have guests over, just take your pet in another room and engage them in some task. Remember do not leash them, this doubles up the anxiety. Laughs Harpreet, “I have invented the mother of all problems. I have changed the ring tone of the doorbell. It is a an old song that Cheetah likes Rahein na rahein hum… jasmine@tribunemail.com
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PET THEORY
All the four types of abnormal behaviors mentioned above come under the category of aggressive behaviours. Aggression is the most dangerous of the behaviour problems in the dogs. Persistent barking is a kind of a territorial aggression when the dog becomes over protective of its territory. The seed of second type of behaviour lies in instinctive impulse to dominate. Dominance is also an inheritable trait in dogs and acute cases should not be bred. A dog chasing a bike is showing a predatory kind of aggression. Most of the dog bites to the strangers can be attributed to this type. Silent stalkers can be more dangerous in dogs with domineering predatory instincts. Infants, which are persistently crying at high pitch, with uncontrolled body moments can become victims of mauling by such types and should never be left alone with such a pet. Another ‘pure’ type of territorial aggression has been noticed in the dogs that are on the farms. They are tolerant but extremely watchful as you enter the premises, but only up to the point where you have not had a physical contact with the owner. An innocent handshake is enough for them to growl menacingly. However any dog reacting to a real threat to it’s owner cannot be labeled as aggressive. Changing the aggressive behavioural patterns is a challenging job. You can’t win by punishing an aggressive dog or prevailing upon him during a confrontation. All these tactics make the aggressive behaviour worst. Patient desensitisation of the aggressive dog under the supervision of your veterinarian is the only way out. Counter conditioning and reinforcement are other tools used by experts. Some times drugs may also have to be advised for such dogs. But proper restrain with a leash is one of the most important first steps, which you can take.
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PET PICK
One active female kitten, one month old with a grey and black coat is available for adoption. Three healthy, beautiful and adorable female and male pups. One month old with black and brown colour of Hindustani breed are available for adoption. For any information, contact: PFA-Chandigarh at 0172-2749080, 2749211 from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday - Saturday Or visit us at #1522, Sector 11 D, Chandigarh. www.pfachandigarh.com |
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Relatively speaking Separation pangs
Priyanka Khosla, city socialite Be positive
Anmol Sandhu, Entrepreneur and jewellery designer from A Jewels He comes first
Gaurav Sharma,
Advertising professional
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Sense & subtlety
A composed and relaxed Naidu was sipping tea at her Colaba residence on that breezy winter morning. She gave a warm smile of welcome and affection as she spoke, apparently keeping in mind my Bengali roots, "The naxalite movement of West Bengal started on an ideal note but later went haywire. The real seeds of Marxist Leninist culture were sown in the early days of the Naxalite revolution by the Left-oriented intellectuals of West Bengal. I was in Kolkata along with Dom Moraes, my second husband, during those turbulent days. The way the movement was wiped out was really cruel and had the essence of mass genocide. Thank God, those days are over." Leela Naidu's greatest regrets were not being able to work with Satyajit Ray and Chetan Anand. She remembered, "Ray complimented me for my brilliant performance in The Householder and wanted to cast me opposite Marlon Brando and Shashi Kapoor in an English film to be shot in India exclusively. It was to be produced by 20th Century Fox. Alas, the project never took off due to financial reasons and Ray lost his heart." Watching her in The Householder, Sir David Lean and Elia Kazan highly appreciated the classic beauty, well known for subtle underplaying. Leela recalled, "Chetan wanted me in Guide but as I wasn't a trained dancer, he opted for Waheeda, who did full justice to the role. "Chetan also wanted to direct me opposite Dev Anand in an English film The Vital Effect. Unfortunately, he did not find a producer for the project." How did she enjoy working in her maiden venture, Anuradha? Leela smiled and continued, "Hrishikesh Mukherjee saw my photographs shot by Kamalapati Chattopadhyay and offered me the lead opposite Balraj Sahni and Abhi Bhattacharya. The film was perhaps Hrishekesh Mukherjee's best but it missed an award at the Berlin Film Festival in 1961 as it was a take off on a German film which won a prestigious award at Berlin the previous year." When she appeared opposite Sunil Dutt and Rehman in Yeh Raaste Hai Pyar Ki in 1963, directed by R.K. Nayyar, she proved her forte in mainstream cinema very well. Remembered Leela, "The film was based on the Nanavati murder case. It had drama and I was very happy working with a sincere and cooperative actor like Sunil Dutt. Of course, my most favourite actor is Balraj Sahni and I remember Shashi Kapoor as an actor of Hollywood standards." Leela, whom Sophia Loren described as a fabulous conveyor of emotions, gave her last performance in Shyam Benegal's, Trikaal. She explained, "I was never interested in popular Hindi cinema and knew I would get very less opportunity to prove my talent in Hindi films. I liked the script of Trikaal and as Shyam Benegal was a progressive director who did not compromise commercially, I accepted the film. It gave me scope to use my facial veins and eyes to a good extent." |
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Time bound
After portraying a string of intense and serious contemporary characters on the silver screen, National Award-winning actor Konkona Sen Sharma says she would now love to act in a period film.
"I would love to do a period film now. I have portrayed different characters in films but have never been part of a period film," Konkona said on the sidelines of a recent event in the national capital. Known for her sterling performances in films like Mr and Mrs Iyer, Page 3 and Omkara, the 29-year-old actor from Bengal says the commercial aspects of cinema is not something she would die for. "This business, trade and money involved with films is one aspect of cinema I don't quite like. I just love playing different kinds of roles but not for profit and gains," Konkona says. "I am very particular about the films that I watch and want to act in," she adds. Acting in plays is equally fascinating for Konkona, who says rehearsing for plays builds up a great atmosphere for an actor. "I love rehearsing for plays as well as for films, it builds a very stimulative and creative atmosphere." Talking about her two upcoming flicks, Wake Up Sid and Mirch, Konkona says her character in the two films are distinctly different. "My character in Wake Up Sid is a very well-written one, where a simple girl meets her complete opposite, played by Ranbir Kapoor and how she faces the world when she comes to Mumbai to become a writer. In Mirch I play a double role for the first time and it is primarily a film about women and their desires," says Konkona, who made her debut in the Bengali film Ek Je Aachhe Kanya in 2001. Asked about being a part of any new project with her mother, Aparna Sen, Konkona confirms she is working on an untitled film with the veteran actor-turned-director. "Yes I am working on a film with my mother but that is untitled yet. We are still in the initialising stages," says Konkona.
— PTI |
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Voice of Priyanka
Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker has roped in his sister to croon a song that will be picturised on Priyanka Chopra in his forthcoming movie What's Your Raashee? He hopes audiences appreciate her voice.
"My sister Aslesha sang the song Aa le chal for my film. I could've brought her vocals out earlier, but there's a right time for everything. In What's Your Raashee? I had the right situation for Aslesha," Gowariker said. "The song appears when Priyanka plays Nandini, the Scorpio. I hope listeners like my sister's voice," said the director who made films like Lagaan, Swades and Jodhaa Akbar. The film's leading man Hurman Baweja was asked to sing few lines for the same song, but he didn't know who the female singer was. When he reached the studio for the recording, Gowariker and music composer Sohail Sen played him the track and he was completely bowled over by the beautiful female voice. "I was completely bowled over. My god! What a voice. And I couldn't recognise it. It was not Alka Yagnikji or Shreya Ghoshal and it was certainly not Lataji. I asked who it was and I was told it was a new singer. I recorded my portion with much nervousness. Imagine... catching up to a voice of that calibre," said Hurman.It was only later that Hurman got to know the singer was Gowariker's sister Aslesha who is a lawyer by profession. "I didn't know Gowariker belongs to a family of singers. His mother Kishori Gowariker is a trained vocalist. Gowariker sings and so does his sister. So I was basically asked to pitch my voice with a singer who knows her job," said the actor.
— IANS |
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Strip to success
The 24-year-old blonde who plays Khan's girlfriend in the much-awaited Imtiaz Ali film has stripped down to her underwear for High Street store Knickerbox, reported Daily Mail online. The aspiring actor who had formerly dated Formula One driver Jenson Button is seen in a series of images sporting the high-end brand's lacy wares. With smokey eyes and tousled hair Florence who had said in previous interviews that 'Race' is her favourite film, has captured public attention with the campaign. The former art scholar who has been modelling since the age of 15 had earlier featured in a swimwear campaign for John Lewis. — PTI
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"Sanju baba", as the macho man of Hindi movies is fondly called, is in Cape Town, South Africa, shooting for Anil Kapoor's home production No Problem directed by Anees Bazmee. He will have a quiet "working" birthday but a small get-together on the sets will take place. The actor's wife Manyata and close friends from the film industry and outside are already in Cape Town to be with him on his special day.Incidently, younger sisters Priya Dutt and Namrata Kumar have chosen not to be with their brother.Sources close to Priya said she was busy with the Parliament Session in Delhi. — PTI
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Dance of the Shadow
The item number also features Hrishita Bhatt and has been choreographed by renowned Bollywood choreographer Ganesh Acharya. "I was a little unsure about Ganeshji's temper, whether I would be able to perform according to his expectations. But it was a fantastic experience and I am very happy with my song," Sonali said. A trained dancer, Sonali insists that she always wanted to dance but was never offered such roles. "I am trained in Bharatnatyam for nine years and I always wanted to dance in movies but unfortunately I never got the chance. I even wanted to feature in the dance number in Taxi No. 9211, but they told me that being a taxi-driver's wife in the film you can't dance," Sonali, who played Nana Patekar's wife in the movie, said. It is Sonali's first attempt at an item number and the actor is thoroughly
excited about it. — PTI |
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When leafing through just 500 pages promises to turn you from doormat to dream girl, it isn't your fault! Self-help sections don't sell books, they sell optimism.
Kudrat Toor, commerce graduate, throws altogether another perspective, "It's just like theory written on those pages, depends who's following them and how they are put into practice." She adds, "I picked up a title on public speaking, it really did help. Not all the tips but a few of them. It's like hit and trial, you never know, what works for whom." No wonder, dos and don'ts for presentation might work magic or could spell debacle. Or is it even a question of being functional in the first place? Harpreet Kanwal Chhabra, chairperson, Department of Psychology, adds, "They may or might not be useful, but they make one feel equipped after a read." Curious as a psychologist, she picked up a few volumes on life's skills. 
Chandigarh girl Tishaa Khosla, author of teen chart buster Pink or Black, has been shortlisted for the Indiaplaza Golden Quill Books Award 2009. At 19, she is the youngest author to win a nomination in the fiction category along with top names like Chetan Bhagat, Amitav Ghosh and Shobha De.
Attraction is not a choice, but a big confusion. Whether it's knowing what the significant other likes, or how to push all the right buttons to get to the object of your affection, it is nothing but bewilderment. And dating is just another puzzle. I mean for the ones like me who suffer from acute dyslexia when it comes to lessons in love.
Anubhav, an RJ with Big 92.7 FM has friends coming over for lunch, but he has to quickly do something about Marshall. Marshall, the big bully bulldog who scares life out of his friends. He would either lock him in a room or let him walk freely, scaring friends. “I always prefer the first option. Marshall takes time to get friendly, but the whole process can be spine chilling for others,” smiles Anubhav. Introducing your pet to guests can be quiet a challenge. Not all pets readily take a liking to your friends or strangers. And you certainly wouldn’t see them squeeze in the couch or freeze for the rest of their stay. Pet lovers share some notes on how they managed to convince their pets to like their friends and guests.
Have you noticed your neighborhood pet pooch barking his head off night and day apparently without any rhyme or reason? Or another comely companion devolving into a snarling predator the moment you touch it’s feeding bowl or try to put a collar around its neck? And what about other ones who specialise in chasing bikes, snapping at the heels of the rider or silently stalking you as you enter anywhere near the periphery of ‘their’ house? All these actions, which pose a challenge to a happy canine – human co-existence, constitute the behavioral problems of a dog. It has been a fascinating subject for veterinarians and sometimes poses a challenge for the pet owners, as it becomes difficult for them to accept the pet as ‘one of the family’. In extreme cases a pet may even have to be discarded.
People for Animals, Chandigarh, has the perfect companion for anyone who is ready to be loved unconditionally.
A divorce means a lot of things for a child. If one of the parents is indifferent towards the kid, then the child finds his/her comfort with the other parent. But in case both parents enjoy good equation with the child, then it's devastating for him/her. It takes away the right to enjoy a healthy life from a child; it's a lifelong suffering, as he will feel the absence of one of the parents all the time. Parents often make the mistake of taking decisions, thinking that the child knows nothing. But it's the child who faces the after effects of a separation. 
I don't see divorce as a dead end for the child, nor the parent. I believe that if you give the child a positive environment, then he will not feel the need of another parent. It's a myth that children of a single paren do not have a normal childhood. If you, as a parent, have strong conviction to give your child the best, then a divorce changes nothing. If you don't make your child feel that he is lacking something in life then you are doing your job as a parent just fine. 
Divorce is no doubt a negative thing to happen for a child. But to bring out a positive from that negative depends entirely on the parent who is responsible for the child after divorce. The father or mother's attitude influences the child's attitude towards life. The child should know what's happening. A good and healthy life should not only mean giving him luxuries, buying tings for him but also giving emotional security and being open about things. Once by going for a divorce, you put yourself first but after that a child should not feel left out or get secondary treatment in your life.
When I approached her some months back, Leela Naidu was astonished that I was keen to interview her. "I belong to a bygone generation. Why should anyone be interested in me now?" was her reply. After a lot of persuasion, the reclusive actor did agree to speak about her illustrious career, now forgotten by the chill and freak-out generation who care to hoots about classicism.
British beauty Florence Brudenell Bruce who makes her Bollywood debut opposite Saif Ali Khan in Love Aaj Kal has caused a stir with a racy advertising campaign for a lingerie brand.
Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, whose real life could resemble a movie potboiler drama, turned 50.
Dil Chahta Hai star Sonali Kulkarni is finally moving away from her staid image with her first item number in Shadow-The Dark Side of Truth, which sees her donning the role of a cop.