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Power drive
Jagtar Sandhu, 29 from Panchkula, working with a MNC, earning Rs 2 lakh per month has one point agenda every month. “I keep a check on the latest and swankiest car models coming in the market every month. I have an Audi, a Mitsubhishi Pajero and I wish to buy a BMW pretty soon. I look at cars as an investment. Besides, cars are a status symbol. People give you a second look when you drive a swanky car. They wouldn’t come to know about your property or house looking at you,” he justifies in his own way. The passion finds a new meaning with Hafeez Anwar-Ul-Haq, a local politician, Audi Q7, Mercedes, Ford Endeavour and a burning desire to buy a Phantom. “I cannot explain my passion for swanky-looking cars in words. I see them as a part of fashionable living. They are an investment too. I wouldn’t think twice before spending on cars.” jasmine@tribunemail.com
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The genius behind world famous Rock Garden, Nek Chand released his memoirs Rock Garden, A Vision of Creativity. V P Mehta's long interaction with the artiste Nek Chand resulted into the book that narrates his life, struggle and memories. Deeply troubled by partition, Nek Chand could get over the trauma only after the creation of the Rock Garden. The memoir tells the story of its creation from the very beginning. The book was released by Chief Justice Punjab and Haryana High Court Tirath Singh Thakur. On the event Nek Chand Foundation also gave Medal of Friendship in the Arts to the publisher Arun Publishing House (P) Ltd, author V P Mehta, photographer Suresh Kumar and Roohi Kalia. This 100 page coloured book also has pictures of the Garden and is priced at Rs 795. mona@tribunemail.com
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Koffee
break Actor Sharman Joshi says, his character in the movie 3 Idiots is closest to his real self Coming from a family of actors, Sharman Joshi who debuted with Godmother, is rocking with a comic college caper 3 Idiots produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Raj Kumar Hirani. Son of a Gujarati theatre actor Arvind Joshi, Sharman is married to Prem Chopra's daughter Prerna. Loosely based on Chetan Bhagat's best selling novel Five Point Someone, Sharman Joshi talks to Lifestyle and says his role in the film 3 idiots, is extremely important. What did you like about 3 idiots? 3 idiots, a comic caper has the best story and a wonderful screenplay. With Aamir Khan and R. Madhavan in the film, how much scope does your role have? This was the same question I had to face when I did Rang De Basanti. I leave it to the viewers to decide about my role. Tell us about your role? I play Raju Rastogi, a student of Imperial College of Engineering. I along with Farhan (R. Madhavan) embark on a quest to find out our friend Rancho (Aamir Khan). It is one of the best roles of my career. How close is Raju Rastogi to you? You could say that from all the characters I have played so far, this one comes the closest to me in real life. What is special about working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Raj Kumar Hirani? Both are great and genius. The specialty lies in the way they threat the actors. I got equal amount of importance. How challenging it is to work in a comic genre? It was very different and interesting at the same time. What memories do you have of 3 idiots? The biggest thing while doing the film was feeling of a comic adventure. I will always remember the teamwork of this film. Your future projects? Kedar Shinde's Toh Baat Pakki and Farookh Kabir's Allah Ke Bande. — Dharam Pal
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Matka Chowk The advent of a new year is viewed with joy - somehow we are optimistic about a new year. We make personal resolutions - we also formulate wish lists for the unfolding year. On this New Years Eve, I spoke to many Chandigarh residents and gathered a motley collection of their wishes. Let us hope, 2010 will be kind to all of us. Many of the residents wanted to see a fall in the prices of food items, justifiably so, since the price of grain and vegetables as well as all other edible items seems to be engaged in a game of snake and ladders, with snakes eliminated all together. Many thought we need more parking spaces. One resident was apprehensive that the entire city would turn into a paid parking zone in 2010. Some of the newer residents offered a new perspective. One young professional informed me that he would like Chandigarh to have a better public transportation system. He was tired of taking overpriced autos. He knew about city buses but those were limited in routes and usually crowded in rush hours. Another young gentleman who has moved here from the South wished that Chandigarh had more restaurants of different types. He wasn't happy with the solitary franchise of South Indian restaurant we have here. He also wanted juice bars, more sandwich places and better service. I guess we are now competing with Bangalore. A few of the long-time residents expressed a desire that Sukhna should be left alone and wanted all new projects terminated. These projects, they felt would eventually ruin the soul of the lake and damage the environment. One college girl I conversed with was very hopeful about the New Year. She felt that in the coming year, more NGOs will get involved with the various social projects that go on in the city. She felt that more young folks are now inclined to join these non-profitable groups, which would empower these NGOs to do what is really needed. One lady expressed a vehement desire that the city should ban all rickshawallas from driving on the busy thoroughfares. One resident did not want the Nanos to fill up the roads in 2010. Since 2010 is the year of the Tiger accordingly to the Chinese calendar, one gentleman hoped that we will be able to do a better job of saving this majestic animal. Strangely, very few wished for growth and prosperity in the New Year. Very few also mentioned terrorism or global warming. They wanted their children to be safe. They wanted public officials to stop misusing the power of their office. They wanted clean air, more stringent traffic regulation, and better health. I think it will be a good year - 20 is a wholesome number, so is 10. matkachowk@gmail.com
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Picks & piques
TIMEPASS The way Chaturvedi tells it, the relationship between mother and son appears provocatively incestuous. Ram is said to be simple minded and quick to anger and as a result has made many enemies including a cop, Khan (whose daughter takes a shine to Ram). With so many people baying for his blood Ram finds himself locked-up for murder of his mother. Not least because he is found lying beside her body, knife in hand and blood splattered all over his clothes and face. Om Puri is the resident top-cop who carries on with the probe into the events that led to the murder, despite convincing incriminating evidence about Ram's involvement. Naseeruddin Shah is the Psychiatrist who is called upon for his expertise because Ram is not speaking at all. Chaturvedi is not very good at building-up the story. He goes off-track while trying to establish the close mother-son relationship. But once Ram is imprisoned and the investigation begins, Chaturvedi manages to steady the boat moving the narrative along at a brisk pace and allowing the mystery to get resolved in slow and steady fashion-leaving the best for the end. The film has quite a few clumsy and clunky moments but the director does manage to convince to some extent. He is smart enough to knowingly focus on Rishi Butani's brawn. Butani has a wooden face and Chaturvedi keeps the camera focused on his aggressive body language using the characters edginess to drive home comviction. Padmini kolhapure looks far too young to carry-off the role of mother to strapping Butani. Naseerudin Shah has very little to do other than give weight to role of psychiatrist. Om Puri and Govind Namdev carry the film on their able shoulders. Their performances alone give the film some bite. Definitely worth Chewing on. Off track
Avoidable This could have been a path-breaking film if only the director and screenwriters (adapted screenplay by Mahesh Nair and Siddharth Parmar) had concentrated on developing the characters and asked pertinent questions regarding human nature when confronted with illogical fear. But alas, that was not to be. Instead we get a narrative that seems to be obsessing with a skimpily clad Celina Jaitley and her oh-so-serious (laughable really) attempt to act. The story is quite simple and the narrative deals it in a back and forth manner. So you have flashbacks to explain why the narrative takes weirdly curious turns. Farooque Shaikh plays the accident victim who is in shock after the death of his wife when he gets run down by a car driven by a heavily intoxicated Celina Jaitley. He is stuck in the windshield and cannot get out but Celina is in no mood to get him to a hospital. She is so petrified of the authorities (fearing that the inevitable course of law would prevent her from taking up a position in the Red Cross abroad) that she drives the car straight into her garage and falls asleep for the night in her cosy bed. Nair's attempt to create a noir atmosphere comes a cropper because there is very little teeth in the screenplay and the narrative is far too loosely put together to amount to something that strong and sharp. Even the drama that is played out appears far too phony and at most points illogical too. The performances by Abhimanyu Singh (of Gulaal fame) and Farooque Shaikh are not of the high standard that they themselves set with their previous films. Accident on Hill Road is an accidental film, it never comes alive, and should have gone the straight to video route. Nari Hari should have known better. After all he has been the pioneer of video films in India. Big Screen cinema doesn't seem to be his cup of tea! Best forgotten
Avoidable The story he wants to tell begins at an all-night party to celebrate the launch of a new book. The protagonist Rajat Kapoor blacks out after a night of heavy drinking and heavy petting- wakes-up the next morning and finds his wife (Irawati Harshe) expressing her displeasure with glacial calm. From thereon the narrative tries to unravel the mystery behind this marital
hijink. The film basically tries to explore the relationship between husband and wife and the temptation (Neha Dhupia) that comes in the way of their commitment and fidelity to each other. Shukla takes the long-drawn and boring route to develop the story. It is extremely slow paced and the narrative lacks development. There is not much happening other than a lot of meaningless conversation and loud vacuous laughter. The performances though competent, are not exactly engaging. There is absolutely no tension in the film and the humor (purportedly the film is a relationship comedy) is so light that it is almost non-existent. The lack of pace and the flimsy nature of the content are
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Tarot Talk
Tarot advice: Donate rice at the place of worship. Taurus: "The King of Pentacles" blesses you with an inner flowering . Don't let anyone make you feel guilty. Do your thing with friends even if someone wants to ruin your plans. Stay calm and refuse to let anyone get the better of you. Tarot advice: Offer water to rising Sun. Gemini: "Five of Cups" takes you through difficult speculative situation. Emotional relationships are temporary as you come out of them. You won't be able to count on any one, so if you are going to go out, prepare to walk or stay home and have friends visit you. Listen to what others have to say. Stay away from legal matters. Tarot advice: Avoid blue colour on Wednesday. Cancer: You draw "The World" so this is a good time for relaxing and rejuvenate. You are on a winning streak. Play the odds, but don't bet what you can't afford to lose. Having fun is what it's all about. Tarot advice: Donate almond on Shivlingam. Leo: "The Temperance" inspires you to climb new heights and actualise creative ideas. A small sum spent now will allow you to make big profits later. Recent professional setbacks can easily be turned into triumph. Don't yield to temptation; be responsible. You will not get away with wrong doings, so don't even try. Tarot advice: Donate vegetables in temple. Virgo: The Card "The Devil" reveals that you will be running late on everything you do this week, as a result you don't have any time to spare. It's time to clear the air and rid yourself of all the burdens you've been carrying. Move into the New Year with everything behind you- fresh and without baggage. Tarot advice: Avoid non-veg on Tuesdays. Libra: "Nine of Pentacles" reveal family pressure and responsibilities. Be careful, as you are sufficiently distracted to run into trouble if you don't pay attention on Tuesday. Your mind should be on money and making more of it in the New-Year. Attend any event that will place you with people you find stimulating. Overstrain can effect health. Tarot advice: Students, concentrate on studies. Scorpio: "The Princes of Cups" infuses you a youthful disposition, so you will be flirtatious but be careful not to ignore or hurt the one who counts most in your life. Social affairs will be exciting. During midweek it is important not to judge people according to their past actions or performance things are quite likely to have changed. Tarot advice: Recite the Mantra for 108 times on Monday AUM RA RAHWE NAMEH Sagittarius: Through "Knight of Swords" gives you a new vision but overindulgence will lead to trouble. Be attentive toward the ones you love. Start off with a clean slate. Listen to your inner voice on Tuesday. Your ability to be mysterious and enticing will make you difficult to resist. Plan something special for the one you love. Tarot advice: Keep fast on Friday. Capricorn: "The Princes of Wands" spins gracious influence in your personal relationship. You are relaxed at work and content at home. You can have all the fun you want, but make sure you have side. Someone interesting will spark an idea for a new project. Go slow on drinks and take care of your health on Saturday. Tarot advice: Donate bananas on Wednesday Aquarius: "The Queen of Cups" brings love and romance back in personal relationship and friendship flowers. Be careful and don't do anything that might get you into trouble. Going away for the weekend or visiting friends will work out great. Keep your eyes peeled on Monday. An Aries can offer you some sound advice. Tarot advice: Donate sugar on Tuesday in a temple.
Tarot advice: Offer water to Tulsi on Monday.
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Simple living and high thinking, it was long back that someone came in contact with a flamboyant Punjabi or Gujju and rephrased the adage ‘high living and bemused thinking’. Changing cars like clothes, and spending the kind of money on swanky machines that could fund a freedom struggle, we wonder has the generation found their own khul ja sim sim somewhere! And now Gaadi.com’s survey brings out some amazing facts—people in an annual income bracket of Rs 3 lakh to Rs 9 lakh are willing to spend their entire annual income on a new car purchase, respondents under the age of 30 are willing to spend almost twice their annual income to buy their first car, over 55 per cent Indians state that they are keen on purchasing a Sedan over a hatchback without keeping the hurdles of traffic jams in mind and nearly 40 per cent would like to buy a car over the internet, and half would purchase parts and accessories on line. Now, this is it. Guys, do you plan to spend the rest of your life in a BMW, for no body is talking about investing in property? And education, none is planning to blow it up on advanced studies? What is the craze, the obsession for machines, we try to scrape the psyche.
Puneet, a city-based businessman and one of the youngest power promoter has an interesting story in itself, for he feels he places ‘style’ in life above everything else. One look at his car Pajero SUV, which is nothing short of a business class plane, helps us to understand what he means by style. A senor key, touch screen Jabra music system, LCD’s, surround sound system from Boss, LA cool lights, remote jammers, the gaadi.com people are not wrong. “I have spend nearly 6.45 lakh on modifying the car and accessorising it,” says Puneet, who shares that he virtually lives out of his car. “My car is as important as my business or my family. If I can spend money on the two, why not on my car,” and he tells us about the safety aspects of the Pajero. “If I am attacked or stranded on a highway, I need to press the remote for 10 seconds, which will jam the entire functioning of the car.” No wonder, 45 per cent of the Indian buyers, style and comfort are the most important parameters while purchasing a car over mileage. Vivek Pahwa, CEO, Gaadi.com agrees to the fact. “The Indian automobile industry is the fastest growing and the ninth in the world with an annual production of over 2.3 million cars in 2008. Also, rise in the disposable income of the Indian middle class is one of the major factors driving the trend. In 2009, India emerged as Asia’s fourth largest exporter of automobiles, behind Japan, South Korea and Thailand. 
Three releases this week and all three are below average fare. Accident on Hill road is a Celina Jaitely vehicle gone aground, Raat gayi Baat Gayi is forgettable and Bolo Ram with Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Padmini Kolhapure esaying leading characters flatters to decieve A Celina Vehicle! Rakesh Chaturvedi's Bolo Ram is a mystery of sorts. Collegian Ram (newcomer Rishi Butani) loves his mother (played by a well-preserved Padmini Kolhapure) dearly and is quite content to lavish all his affections on her.
Aries: "Nine
Cups" full of light, lotus and blossoms greet you on New Year. A
loving relationship flowers with commitment. The period heads your way
with great new possibilities. There could be several disruptions and this
could leave you feeling irritated and on the edge. A land deal may come
your way on Tuesday.
Pisces:
Your
card "The Sword" represents light and clarity. You have the
courage to express your true feelings and emotions in a romantic
involvement. You will dazzle everyone if you put yourself in the
mainstream on Monday. A chance to do things a little differently will lead
to many more changes. Try to be true to your feelings.