|
|
|
|
|
In a class of his own
Harleen comes and presents
the bouquet... Like every student customarily does to anybody who’s
somebody in any field. "When Harleen presented the bouquet... I
think I’m yet not out of the Love Aaj Kal mode." Someone
please tell Imtiaz Ali nor are we. No wonder, the conversation
started, steered and surrounded his latest hit and, in between, the
previous ones. Hey, what was he doing in the city on Wednesday? Imtiaz
Ali, director, Love Aaj Kal and Jab We Met, had a date
with students of Panjab University. Mind you, nowhere did he sing the
typical, stretched out ‘How happy I’m to be here’ line! Once
again, what brought him to the city? "Well, for one, Kamal Tewari.
There are very few occasions in life where you get to be among people
who look up to you and it’s a great feeling." In between, we
heard him saying, "I feel I’m an honorary Punjabi. "Haven’t
all his movies had an essential Punjabi touch? "It’s the most
progressive state of the country, agricultural hub, if you look at the
land prices here. But I feel there’s an irrepressible splendour,
colour in the culture of the place." He hasn’t run out yet.
"I think since centuries, this region by virtue of being the Indo-Gangetic
Plain has been through a lot of upheavals and then terrorism." And
yes! Why only love stories? "It’s like whatever comes to my mind
or I find interesting. The whole thing is all very random."
Probably that’s where and how he gets his ideas. He says, "It’s
all from what I observe, what I see around, from watching people,
otherwise I’m not a movie buff." The walk’s ended, we’ve
reached School of Communication Studies, PU. He takes over the
microphone... "You guys are media students, I think you can see
beyond statements like ‘How excited I’m to be here’." We told
you. He continues, "I think if I were a student and was to meet
anybody from the industry, I’d be happy to be able to ask
anything." Looks like, so they are. Out of all his movies, which
are... He cuts in, Love Aaj Kal." Ok, in the movie which is
the favourite scene? "I like the way the movie begins."
Inevitably, the Kareena of Jab We Met and Harleen of Love Aaj
Kal were mentioned. "I chose Kareena, one, because she’s by
lineage also a Punjabi. Second, it had to be someone who looked
interesting rather than irritating by virtue of being
over-talkative." But the Brazilian Harleen was by no means
Punjabi by lineage, right? "I auditioned for a lot of girls for the
role, including this part as well, but couldn’t find anyone. Rather
she came to audition for the role of Joe and..." Yeah, sure you can
fill in that blank. As for new projects, a story’s there and he’s
not in a hurry. As of now, he is! manpriya@tribunemail.com
|
|
A Wednesday
The city’s got plenty of acting talent, says actor Nirmal Pandey on his second visit to the city in two months
Ask him do we see real talent here and he says, “Without doubt, this city’s got talent. And especially as beginners, these guys are much more aware than aspiring actors in other cities.” And who are these aspirants—more boys or girls? “For this audition, the number of boys was more than girls.” With a crowd of students waiting to audition, we ask the actor, are youngsters really serious about cinema. He says, “Gone are the days when parents stopped kids from joining movies, these days its parents who are promoting kids. And for youngsters, they know this is the only medium where they can achieve fame, money and power.” So, is it the need only for fame that takes them that far, and he says, “Yes, the desire for anything surely makes a man work hard for it, but other than that, talent and destiny play a great role. And these days one has to be multi-talented to be successful.” That’s true, but destiny: does he believe in it? “Yes, I strongly believe in fate. I know so many actors who are much-much better than me, but circumstances have been such that they haven’t achieved much in life.” Back to the auditions, do all students who come for acting classes want to become lead heroes? “A movie is no more about a lead or second lead, but about an actor. And with the kind of movies we have these days, there is no one single character around whom the movie revolves, but around a good actor who can justify his role. And in the coming times, we would have talented actor bag the limelight than the hero of the movie. So, the concept of lead actor is not going to stay forever.” Ask him what next and he says, “Apart from movies, I am doing television these days. I have a project called Seeta Geeta and another one with Balaji telefilms.” So, is television really paying better that cinema? “Yes, it is, but then, it keeps you busy 24/7,” he sums. jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com
|
|
Damsels in defence
The recent eve- teasing incidents once again highlight the need for women to take lessons in self-defence
Case 2: A guy misbehaved with a girl at Leisure Valley and later a case was registered. Case 3: A woman was molested by a bunch of rowdy guys at Food Street in front of her husband. And these are not even the tip of the iceberg. The so-called protected City Beautiful is no longer a safe haven for the fairer sex. An increase in the eve-teasing, molestation and sexual harassment cases are enough to make us cry for help. Or should we? The law showing its inability to check such incidents, the only help that we get is from ourselves. At least, that's what the female brigade of the city feels. "The recent incident in Sector 42 market is proof enough that such incidents will not stop until girls take a stand. Most cases happen at crowded places and nobody responds to the rescue call. And, those who believe in ignoring, should be held equally responsible for such acts," feels Priyanka Ohri, a student from Shimla. Going by the statistics, in India every 51minutes a woman is sexually harassed; every 21 minutes one woman is molested. Eve teasing is something that a woman has to deal with everyday. The recent blow came when a BPO employee was drugged and raped by her boss. "The actual number of such cases are higher than reported. Even in case of sexual harassment at work places, things get sorted out at the organisational level and not taken up to the court. So, the best way to tackle the problem is to create social and psychological awareness," says Amit Chaudhary, assistant advocate-general, Punjab and Haryana High Court. Studies also show that 32 per cent of the eve-teasers are students. "At the university and college level, we have help at hand with student organisations shouting and pleading girls to come out and speak. But they get dissuaded by teachers or friends not to take up the matter or suffer humiliation," feels Nitin Goyal, an advocate and president of the NSUI. Talking about the Sector 42 incident, he lauds the effort of the girl who confronted the two guys. "I am happy that she, at least, raised her voice. Rather than getting exploited, you exploit the available options that help you fight your battle against your tormentors," he says. An increasingly large number of college-going girls and other women taking public transportation in all metropolitan cities in India have resorted to carrying pins, penknives and even daggers as a deterrent. Others have taken self-defense classes and don't hesitate to hit back. So, why not show the demented minds at work that the damsels are not in distress anymore. "I would suggest girls to learn to protect themselves. Sometimes an outright reaction works, like a slap or a punch. But then equip yourselves with a pepper spray or a small knife, to get the message across that we are ready for a combat," says Rubina Singh, another student from the city. So, while the police and Administration plan to start helpline for women or deploying female police at various crucial points (God only know when these plans will actually be implemented), it's time for girls to take up the matter in their own hands. After all, it's the age of the Alpha Female! nehawalia@tribunemail.com
|
|
Daddy Cool doesn't mock funerals, says director of the movie
Forthcoming laugh riot Daddy Cool is about a funeral gone wrong, but it doesn't make fun of the solemn ceremony, says Hyderabad-based director K. Murli Mohan Rao who marks his return to Bollywood with the film. "We have woven the story around a funeral in our comedy, but it doesn't mock the serious occasion. It is not meant to hurt people's sentiments at all. I'm sure once people see the film, they will not take it in a bad taste," Rao said. "The film is not just about the funeral...there are a series of underlying situations. It is a lighthearted family drama with a lot of laughter in it," he added. Starring Aarti Chhabria, Ashish Chowdhry, Tulip Joshi, Aftab Shivdasani, Javed Jaffrey and Prem Chopra, the film is releasing August 28. Rao, who has so far directed 15 Telugu movies and 10 Hindi films, has returned to Bollywood after seven years with Daddy Cool. "I was busy with my personal life and some family problems. Also another reason to take the long break was that I didn't want to jump at any opportunity that came my way. I was waiting for the right subject to make a film," said Rao who started his career in 1983 with a Telugu film, Sangharshana. Rao's last Hindi venture was Kya Yahi Pyar Hai that had Ameesha Patel and Aftab Shivdasani in the lead roles. He also made films like Prem Qaidi and Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaaye, but says this is his first comedy. "I did not face any problems in directing Daddy Cool, even though this was my first comedy ever. It was like being on a picnic," said the director. "Comedy is not my forte but one has to change with time. Now cinemagoers are mainly youngsters and they like watching lighter films. They want laughter and no burden attached. They want something that will entertain them completely. That's why I ventured into this," he added. But hasn't the audience received an overdose of comedies in recent times? "I dont think people are overburdened with comedies. Comic capers do well, if they are made well. And, I think people will never get bored of them. As long as you can make them laugh for the given two hours, audiences won't complain," he said. When asked whether he would like to venture into the same genre again, pat came the reply: "I'm a professional; so I am ready to dabble in different genres and new subjects. I will never confine myself to just one thing." — IANS
|
|
Miss management
Women who hold supervisory positions are more susceptible to workplace sexual harassment, according to a new study. During the study, nearly 50 per cent of women supervisors, but only one-third of women who do not supervise others, reported sexual harassment in the workplace.
In more conservative models with stringent statistical controls, women supervisors were 137 per cent more likely to be sexually harassed than women who did not hold managerial roles. While supervisory status increased the likelihood of harassment among women, it did not significantly impact the likelihood for men, the study found. "This study provides the strongest evidence to date supporting the theory that sexual harassment is less about sexual desire than about control and domination," said Heather McLaughlin, a sociologist at the University of Minnesota and the study's primary investigator. "Male co-workers, clients and supervisors seem to be using harassment as an equaliser against women in power," McLaughlin added. The researchers examined data from the 2003 and 2004 waves of the Youth Development Study (YDS), a prospective study of adolescents that began in 1988 with a sample of 1,010 ninth graders in the St. Paul, Minnesota, public school district and has continued near annually since. Respondents were approximately 29 and 30 years old during the 2003 and 2004 waves. The analysis was supplemented with in-depth interviews with a subset of the YDS survey respondents. The sociologists found that, in addition to workplace power, gender expression was a strong predictor of workplace harassment. Men who reported higher levels of femininity were more likely to have experienced harassment than less feminine men. More feminine men were at a greater risk of experiencing more severe or multiple forms of sexual harassment (as were female supervisors). In a separate analysis examining perceived and self-reported sexual orientation, study respondents who reported being labelled as non-heterosexual by others or who self-identified as non-heterosexual (gay, lesbian, bisexual, unsure, other) were nearly twice as likely to experience harassment. Researchers also found that those who reported harassment in the first year were 6.5 times more likely to experience harassment in the following year. The most common scenario reported by the respondents involved male harassers and female targets, while males harassing other males was the second most frequent
situation. — ANI |
|
Mum’s not the word!
How do you strike a balance between your mother and your girlfriend?
Since our culinary history is full of dedications to mother's love, the Maa ki dal effect, women will not hesitate for a moment in declaring that all men are mama's boys (and how we hate that!). Although, we haven't for once heard or seen a guy taking his mother out for a candlelight dinner or enjoying a game of cricket or football over a beer with her, sharing anecdotes from mommy dairies at the office. But what we mean is that their parameters of defining their life rests heavily on the motherly pillars. So, unless you are from the outer space or a woman, what's wrong in being a mama's boy? "Nothing. I think there are positives points of being a mama's boy," says Munish Dhiman, a media professional from the city. We count the laundry, cleaning, cooking into that. "Apart from that, I believe a mama's boy would be more cultured, social and respect women more," he shares. Sure, but what about a nagging girlfriend or wife, the possible fight for supremacy over the man in the house and the sandwich status? "Oh, that you have to balance. You have to build confidence in your girlfriend and sense of security in your mother to keep them happy," says Gaurav Sharma, who works with GE company. So, a good son and better husband funda working, sometimes it becomes a little tough to set demarcation, or knowing when not to go overboard with your mama's boy status. We don't need to tell you the consequences of situations where you loose your sense of balance, like comparing your girlfriend's culinary skills to your mom's or getting too worked up with your feelings towards your mom. Well, stick to basics, not too much of a mama's boy nor a hen-pecked boyfriend. Whatever the feminist's blood may shout from the rooftops, remember you are the man and put that chauvinism to best use.
|
|
Big B's blog to be published as a book Amitabh Bachchan had set a trend in Bollywood with his blog and with thousands of his fans from around the world following his daily updates, it was but inevitable that Big B's online musings be turned into a book. Bachchan, who expresses his opinion on everything from Australian racism row to the swine flu on the blog, broke the news about the planned book deal in his latest post. "During one of my meetings with BigAdda.com the people that matter said that they have a desire to convert the blog and my posts into a book and release it. I would find that terribly embarrassing, but if they were to persevere, I would want to suggest that the book also contain some of the responses from fans," Amitabh wrote in recent blogpost. The megastar who calls his readers the extended family, said that he wants their thoughts and responses to be included in the book as the interaction has been a learning experience for him. "I have found that during this long journey of ours there have been incredible inputs from those that have so liberally contributed to every blog of mine. Many among them have had a most lasting effect on me. I'm sure they must have on you as a reader too. "Some of the discussions and points of view have been so engrossing and valuable that it would be a pity if they are left out to dry," he wrote on his blog. Given the popularity of the blog, the book to is bound to be a bestseller. — PTI
|
|
|
Make simple changes, save environment, says Priyanka Chopra Bollywood beauty Priyanka Chopra, who is the latest celebrity to join the green movement, wants people to make simple changes in their lifestyle to save the environment. "All of us know and understand that, yes, the environment is troubled, but what do we do? I am asking people to make simple changes in their lives not drastic ones," Chopra said. "Our country has a huge youth population. I think the youth drives us. I am a part of this generation which questions everything, like how can we get involved?," Chopra, who is the brand ambassador of NDTV Greenathon II, said at a press conference to announce the second chapter of the initiative. "Its the little things that matter, you start with little things and they become bigger over time. "When Mumbai was going through a major water crises, I sat and thought, water? That's something you take completely for granted. I was shocked to see people getting killed over water. Being told that I am not going to get water in my house really shook me," Chopra said. — PTI
|
|
I've reasons to believe I was discriminated against, Emraan Hashmi
"Yesterday at the hearing in the Minorities Commission, I stuck to what I had said a week back about having reasons to believe that I faced discrimination on religious grounds," Hashmi told reporters here. He said the commission wanted to resolve the issue peacefully and that he would abide by its decision. After a hearing at the commission, Hashmi had yesterday said that the dispute between him and suburban Nibbana housing society in posh Pali Hill in Bandra had arisen out of a "miscommunication" and that it has been resolved. The 34-year-old actor and his lawyer Majeed Memon had yesterday said that the broker had told him that the society had refused to sell the flat as he was a Muslim. On July 31, Hashmi had approached the Commission accusing the housing society of religious discrimination by not providing the NOC to him to purchase the flat. "There were also a few other issues that were cleared yesterday. There was an accusation that my parents barged into the society meeting. The society members stated that they had not said this," Hashmi said. "The society members and the flat owner said that may be there was a miscommunication and they had not denied me the flat on the basis of my religion," he said. — PTI
|
|
Relatively speaking The recent incident of violence against a student by his teacher is a matter of concern both for parents and educationists in the city. For, such incidents are sure to leave a mark on a child's psyche. What can a parent or teacher do to increase confidence among the children? Soft and subtle
Mona Shri Friendly approach
Opinder Sekhon Trust issues
Anmol
Sandhu |
|
Happy Years
People get happier as they age and exert more emotional control than younger adults, say researchers. "Life expectancy changed because people changed the way they lived. Now that we're here, we have to keep adapting. We are in the middle of a second revolution and it's up to us to make adulthood itself longer and healthier," Dr. Carstensen said. Dr Susan Turk Charles, of the University of California, Irvine found that except for people with dementia-related diseases, mental health generally improves with
age. She said the research has also shown that older adults exert greater emotional control than younger adults, meaning older adults are more likely to actively avoid or limit negative, stressful situations than do younger adults.
"Based on work by Carstensen and her colleagues, we know that older people are increasingly aware that the time they have left in life is growing shorter," said Charles. "They want to make the best of it so they avoid engaging in situations that will make them unhappy.
—
ANI |
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Been there, done that. For actor Nirmal Pandey, Chandigarh has become a second home. On his second visit in a month’s time, he says, “This city has become home for me. I keep coming back for one reason or the other. And this time, it is for the auditions of Gurkul Acting Academy that I am here,” says the actor, who has played diverse roles in movies like
Bandit Queen, Desh Drohi, Yeh Koi to Hai and more. 
Case 1: Girls teased and assaulted at a market place in broad daylight, guys who came to her rescue were thrashed too and the police on duty lived up to the image of 'not doing anything' perfectly on this one.
Ask any man what his favorite food is and the answer comes at a supersonic speed, “Maa ke hath ka khana." His idol woman will be an exact replica of his mother. Even the phrase, 'Behind every successful man, there is a woman' takes favour of the mother rather than any other 'woman' in that successful man's life. No scientists or studies are needed to throw light on the fact that men are tied strongly with their mother (and her apron too). When it comes to claiming a man's affection, the first and the fieriest competition comes from the mommy dearest. No wonder Maureen Wadia said she didn't care if Ness married a Zinta or a zebra. While not many mothers will share the sentiment, but they know that they do enjoy an advantage over the girlfriends and wives in being the favorite in her son's life. 
A day after claiming that the flat controversy arose because of a "miscommunication", Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi today insisted he was denied an apartment by the housing society because he was Muslim and said he has reasons to believe for the discrimination.
Children should be dealt with softly, especially in their formative years. As a parent and a teacher, you have to come down to their level and understand them rather than expecting them to take decisions. Hitting or treating a child aggressively makes him stubborn. I make sure that I sit with my daughter and ask her how her day went, if she is not being able to understand certain things and try to sort her out. A child maybe reluctant to open up, but teachers or parents should not. 
In such cases, the responsibility lies more on the teachers. The children are innocent; they don't have any grudge against anybody. It's the teacher's attitude towards them that forces them to hate or admire him or her. In their growing years, they have behavioural problems and the parents and teachers should tackle them keeping it in mind. Parents' interaction with a child should be friendly and on everyday basis. One should also know that age is no benefiting factor. The problem is the same with grown up kids as with younger ones. With kids who live in boarding schools or hostels, the problem is even difficult to tackle, as they are more under the teachers influence. 
Such incidents shake parents's trust in the teachers, who spend the maximum time with their kids at school. The effort should be more on building a confidence between parents and teachers, which will eventually help the child. The school should provide special counseling sessions for teachers and student as well, and teachers should keep in mind that a child is dependent on them to shape his future. One should neither be impulsive nor aggressive while dealing with children and this stands for both parents and teachers.