In the city, actors Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone talk about their upcoming flick and much more…

Just about a year ago, Abhishek Bachchan was at the PVR Cinemas to promote his film. And what a chaos it was! On Monday, at the same place, for the same reason, Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone were here. Only this time, all wazz well!

Except for a few jostles and little anxiety about how willing they would be to answer our questions. Farhan, sporting a cool black tee, took the initiative to put everything at ease, "This is my first visit to the city and I was hoping to see smiling faces."

And we all took off with our queries about their upcoming film, Karthik Calling Karthik, future projects, ambitions and the most important of all, the chemistry between them that everybody is talking about. All the little birdies and bais who spread the rumour should lend an ear too, "We are as usual or unusual an onscreen couple as others. There is nothing special about our chemistry. At the end of the day we are actors and work as per the director's instructions," Deepika understood in no time what we all wanted to know!

Guess she had been asked the same question ample number of times, which she confirms, "Whereever we go, people want to know about the nonexistent chemistry." Hope the answer puts aside all the rumours!

Next obvious priority was the film itself. Thriller or romance? "It is suspense interwoven with a love story. The story revolves around Karthik, who is shy, introvert, low on confidence and suffers from inferiority complex. His life changes after a mysterious phone call," Farhan give us a peek.

Deepkia's character is opposite to Farhan's. "I am playing Shonali, a character totally opposite to Farhans's. She is outgoing and speaks her mind." We never said opposites attract!

But the similar opportunity that both actors got through the film was a chance to experiment. Farhan learnt how to drive a bike, "I feel a little embarrassed to accept that I couldn't learn a bike all this while because my mother didn't allow me." And Deepika got a makeover, "My hairstyle and look is new in the film and most of the clothes are from my own wardrobe unlike the case with other films. The idea was to sport a more casual look."

From scriptwriting to direction to acting, Farhan is now moving back to the arena where he began his journey in the film industry. "I have written the sequel to Don and the movie will release in October."

Farhan is equally commited to all he does. "The only add-on is that while I am writing I need solitude."

And he is also bitten by the tweeter bug as most of the industry people, which recently saw tweets in support of MNIK controversy with Shiv Sena, "It wasn't a publicity stunt. I can empathise with the makers of MNIK as I know how much effort it takes to make a film. Controversy is of no help at all."

Deepika affirms the same, "If the film is not worth it, no controversy can save it." Which controversy is she referring too? Anyways, there are enough projects keeping her busy. Houseful, Khele Hum Jee Jaan se, Lafenge Parinde being some of them.

As for the controversy surrounding Farhan's father, Javed Akhtar and Aamir Khan, all he suggested was, "The need is to talk and find solutions to the problems." Just as we talked to Farhan and Deepika to forget what happened at PVR Cinemas last time around!

ashima@tribunemail.com

What would have happened if Gulammohammad Sheikh was not rejected by the Panjab University selection committee when he applied for a post in the History of Fine Arts Department way back in 1966?

Chances are that his creativity would have acquired more of sharp-edged cutting lines rather than sharp-edged intellect he acquired from experiencing life in a volatile state like Gujarat. Or, maybe the disciplined character of the city would have tamed his spirit. Who knows?

Even Sheikh does not. So, when during the interactive session after his Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi-sponsored lecture at the Government Museum and Art Gallery on Sunday evening, someone threw the question at him as to how would he portray the city as an artist, he came out clean, "I am overwhelmed by Le Corbusier's architectural marvel, but I would rather be at a place which is being misused, a place which is not too structured."

And, that's not just a statement. Sheikh, in fact, weaved his talk around his belief of cultural pluralism. As a boy from Surinder Nagar who grew up reading the Quran in the morning and Sanskrit in the afternoons, and writing poetry in words borrowed from Gujarati, Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit, Sheikh simply cannot subscribe to the theory of 'one nation, one culture'.

In fact, he not only believes that different cultures can co-exist, but also the past along with the present. So in his paintings one finds Sufi saints co-existing with sanyasis, Mary Magdalene along with Kabir, angels along with devils.

His early painting were a horse series, which by his own admission was inspired by M F Husain. His paintings on his sleepy town Surinder Nagar radiate a warm feeling, but a particular one Sleeping Street, which he painted in 1975-77, makes one think. For it marked the awakening of political consciousness in him, which he continued through others that followed — City on Sale (showing polarisation of the city of Baroda into two distinct camps along communal lines), Speaking Tree, Ayodhya, How Can You Sleep Tonight, Whose Kashmir, and Whose World Is it Anyway— to name a few.

The political consciousness is still going strong. Only recently he has adopted a rather unique way to showcase it - by building his 'personal shrines' called Kaavat, which are life-size wooden panels of his paintings that open and close in all direction, making art a truly three-dimensional medium.

And, shrines they are. Even as those doors open and close, the constant dialogue between eloquence and silence become a little more coherent, and one becomes part of the thinking world of Gulammohammad Sheikh in which co-exist many cultures and times in harmony as well as in conflict!

parbina@tribunemail.com 

Sneha Ullal was known as the Aishwarya Rai-lookalike when she entered the film world but the actress is now keen to carve a niche for herself. After featuring in spooky thriller Click, she feels it's time she proved her calibre to people who misguided her when she first came to Bollywood.

"See Click is not my comeback in Bollywood because the film doesn't revolve around me. I need a film like Lucky (her debut vehicle) to make a comeback; then I can show what I can do," said Sneha.

"Now it's time I prove myself because there are a lot of people who misguided me in Bollywood - whom I trusted. I never knew Bollywood is like that, you know," she added.

The young actress has already signed two Hindi movies, including one opposite Akshay Kumar.

"I am doing a film with Ashok Tyagi where Akshay Kapoor is my co-star and there is another film with Shubir Mukherjee. The film is being launched by Joy Mukherjee's son Sujoy. One of them is a thriller, the other is a love story and both are expected to release later this year," said Sneha.

Sneha made her debut in 2005 opposite Salman Khan and her second release was Aryan: Unbreakable (2006) with Sohail Khan. After that she moved down south and featured in Telugu films like Nenu Meeku Telusa...? and Ullasanga Utsahanga .

"I have done three films in the south and the fourth is releasing in April. In the south, people are very genuine. They will tell you the right things. I had rejected one film because I was not comfortable kissing on screen.

"Two months later, I got another film and I called the same director, whose film I had rejected, for some guidelines and he guided me properly. It's unlike Bollywood. Here people will misguide you and take you in the wrong direction. That's what happened with me," said Sneha.

The 22-year-old feels she owes a lot to southern cinema. "I won't stop doing films in the south ever. It teaches you how to be an actor...how to be a lady. I don't know about Bollywood as I haven't done much work here."

But at the same time she is keen to leave her mark in Bollywood as well and says she will be less choosy about roles than earlier.

"I am going to do any role now that takes me to another level. If my role is good, I don't mind even if it's a D-grade film," said Sneha.

"I was choosy, but it didn't work for me. I need to learn because that's what an actor is all about. She needs to play different kinds of characters...You can't stick to one genre."

Asked if she has any regrets about her initial years in Bollywood, Sneha said: "I don't regret but if I am to re-do, I will re-do now. I don't regret because Lucky gave me name; people know me today because of Lucky."

— IANS

Mumbai born Aamir Dalvi is a well- known face in Tellywood. He turned to acting in 1999 with a popular show on Doordarshan Nyaya. Aamir Dalvi is no stranger to the viewers with serials like Jeevan Saathi ( Colors), Saathi Re ( Star One), Jab Love Hua ( Zee TV), Yahan Ke Hum Sikandar ( Zee Next) and Mein Aisi Kyun Hoon ( Sahara One) to his name. On his way to Manali, Lifestyle caught up with dashing Jeet Khanna aka Aamir Dalvi of Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki on a brief stopover at Chandigarh.

Is this is your first serial with Rajshri banner ?

Yes, this is my first serial with producer Kavita Barjatya. I play Jeet Khanna, a tapori of Mumbai who lives in a chawl.

You have experimented with your look. How did your friends react to it?

My friends were really happy that I was playing a different character in Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki and playing a different character. Everyone is excited, and there is a very positive buzz about the show.

What made you to take up the role?

Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki is one of the best family serials on Television. This is the main reason why I took up the role, because such serials are few.

Any memorable moment on the sets?

The role of Jeet Khanna has got me closer to Reena Kapoor, Neha Desai and Bhairavi Raichura. Every moment associated with this serial is memorable.

What are your projects in the pipeline?

I am concentrating on just one serial at present and trying to gauge viewers' response to it. I believe in quality work not quantity.

What are your hobbies?

Riding bikes, I own a 250 cc Honda dirt bike.

— Dharam Pal

With a Padma Shri and quite a few hits tucked under his belt, Saif Ali Khan is set to launch his second production venture and spy thriller Agent Vinod and says the delayed project is very much on."A lot has been said about Agent Vinod, but we are very much on track. Final touches are being given to the script and at the end of March we should have the film on the floors," Saif, 39, said in an interview.After Love Aaj Kal, this will be his second production, Agent Vinod.

It will be directed by Sriram Raghavan."Meanwhile, I definitely want to work on Race 2. To do a romantic comedy is also something that stands high up in my list, but then I am just waiting for a great script to come my way."Taking a trip down memory lane, he said it was super-hit Hum Tum that bailed him out during trying times."I would think that Hum Tum was a definite milestone film in my career. Yes, there was Kal Ho Na Ho which was a good success as well, but then I was a second lead there. Hum Tum was a solo hit and had the momentum going for me," Saif said."

Soon followed Salaam Namaste, which further set the pace in my career. In the earlier years, Yeh Dillagi was definitely a landmark movie. Then came 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari', which again worked quite well for me," added Saif who is one of the top actors today and a successful producer also.

Success came to him after a lean patch where nothing seemed to be working for him. With many of his films belonging to diverse genres failing at the box office, Saif was pretty much looking at the bottom of the barrel.If one goes into flashback mode and takes a journey back in time, it wasn't too far back when he was dancing to the tune of Main hoon aashiq awara (Aashiq Awara) and Ole, Ole (Yeh Dillagi). 

Today, with Saif named for a Padma Sri, he has come a long way."Yeah, it was a disastrous patch and this is where Hum Saath Saath Hai came in handy. There were also Kachche Dhaage and Kya Kehna which were decent successes and then of course Dil Chahta Hai which was another landmark film," said Saif.Is there any other film that he believes brought a complete turnaround in the way he was looked at as an actor?"Other than the aforementioned films like Hum Tum, Salaam Namaste and Kal Ho Naa Ho, diverse films like Parineeta and Ek Haseena Thi brought in further recognition." Being Cyrus was nice and offbeat too and Omkara turned out to be huge as it showed quite some range. And now as we stand, I have a production like Love Aaj Kal. So, yeah, it's not that bad after all." — IANS

Veteran Bollywood actor Jaya Bachchan will be honoured with a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at a film festival in London.

The 61-year-old actress will be awarded for her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.Jaya started her career at the age of 15 with Satyajit Ray's Bengali film Mahanagar (1963) and has acted in films like Guddi, Chalte Chalte and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham in her forty-year long career in the industry.The award will be presented to Jaya on March 5 at Tongues on Fire film festival, which is dedicated to the cinema cultures of South Asia. The festival will be hosted by British television and film actor Rizwan Ahmed.

Jaya, husband Amitabh Bachchan, son Abhishek, filmmaker Shyam Benegal, actress Sharmila Tagore and her actor daughter Soha Ali Khan will attend the 10-day long festival, which begins here from March 5.

"This year's Tongues on Fire could not come at a better time. With My Name Is Khan smashing records at cinemas around the UK to become the most successful Bollywood film in British box office history, it's the perfect time to celebrate the achievements of Asian cinema," said Pushpinder Chowdhry, the director of the festival.

"Asian film has the feel-good factor and the appeal to speak to Asian and non-Asian audiences alike. The Festival encompasses films from up-and-coming home-grown talent as well as established Asian filmmakers - from urban Glasgow to rural Afghanistan," she added. — PTI

Director Anurag Basu has rubbished reports that producer Rakesh Roshan wanted 3 Idiots helmer Rajkumar Hirani to edit his film Kites. The reports claimed that Roshan wanted Hirani to take over the editing of the much awaited Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Morri starrer, but was turned down.

"I wish the rumours were true. I really respect Raj Kumar Hirani and he is a dear fr iend too. I would have loved to take his inputs but its too late now, my film was edited locked, sealed and delivered in November last week. I am sure Raju must be having a hearty laugh over it," said Basu.

Roshan has already roped in Hollywood director Brett Ratner of Rush Hour series and X-Men: The Last Stand' fame, to edit the international version of the film.The much-awaited film will release on May 21 with both Hindi and English versions simultaneously splashing the screens in over 60 countries.

The film will be released worldwide by Reliance BIG Pictures and the English version of Kites will be presented and re-worked by Ratner.The film stars Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan and Mexican actress Barbara Mori.The music is composed by Rajesh Roshan and cinematography by Ayananka Bose. — PTI

The ancient masters always tried to project the knowledge imbibed from the shastras into their compositions, which reflected their persona. They were glad to share their skills with fellow maestros, disciples and music lovers, which made our music a living phenomenon in the past," opines music academician, scholar and performer par excellence Shruti Sadolikar Katkar, presently the Vice Chancellor of Bhatkhande Music University, who was in the city for a performance.

Besides learning from her father, she was under the tutelage of Pandit Gulubhai Jasdanwala, a renowned classical vocalist and a big industrialist. A leading exponent of Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, Shruti grew up amid drones of taanpura and soulful alaaps under the watchful eyes of Pandit Vaman Rao Sadolikar, a celebrated vocalist.

Holder of a master's degree, Shruti has extensively performed in India as well as abroad, and has many collections to her name. Former teacher at the Sangeet Research Academy (SRA), she maintains that learning music is a lifelong pursuit. "I still learn from Ustad Azizudin Sahib. I could emulate my father in the rendition of khyal at the age of four and people often wondered whether I learnt singing or speaking first," she says.

She opines that learning classical music was a truly religious affair earlier, but the younger generation of today does it only perform in reality shows.

As far as fusion is concerned, she maintains that the 2nd century Indian music must have been subjected to many alien influences and it got better with it, both subjectively and objectively. "But Natya Sangeet, the music of theatre, is losing its sheen. The genre is the best medium to promote the understanding of classical music. After ten years I had revived a creation of my father, a play 'Sangeet Tuslidas', which won five prestigious awards and accolades at the World Music Theatre Festival in Holland," she signs off.

Ramesh Kumar Bunty, from a small village in Amritsar, hogged limelight by winning the Billo Rani contest organised by Universal Music and Idea Cellular

Small town hopes, big city dreams, struggling youngsters looking for just one chance to get lucky in front of the camera. Getting the right start and following the much-travelled road to fame, there are stories and success stories. And then there are the plain lucky ones. Ramesh Kumar Bunty falls in this category.

A regular guy from a small border village, Chabaal, in Amritsar, hogged the limelight by winning the Billo Rani contest organised by Universal Music and Idea Cellular. The contest needed aspiring actors who were IDEA subscribers to download the special 'Billo Rani' dialer tone, which made them eligible to appear for auditions. 

The registered participants were subsequently called for auditions. And his winning prize was being featured in the music video of the title track of Billo Rani, Malkit Singh's latest album! "Everything happened by chance. Although I always wanted to enter the field, this project was like the perfect start," says Bunty.

Having wrapped up the two-day long shooting with the singer in Zirakpur, facing the camera was not difficult for Bunty. "I joined Jaspal Bhatti's MAD Arts as the first student and have previously shot with Jaspal Bhatti for his show, Thank You Jijaji on SAB. But this is just another step for me to move ahead."

Although he does maintain that more than learning to act, getting the language right was tough. "Although I wasn't familiar with the requirements of the glamour world, one thing I really struggled with was the diction. Balancing the expressions and language can be a hard task," he says.

After his brief stint with Billo Rani, he has now been signed up by Universal records for their future projects. But more than any amount of fame or money, what motivates him to chase his dreams is his roots. "Till now, there hasn't been anybody from my village who has excelled in any field. I want to be the first known name."

Well, an idea can change your life, isn't it?

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

The Rose Festival fever may have tempted you to participate in the ensuing flower shows. However, you must be wondering whether you can also do it or not. You must also be wondering what the judges look for when they examines the exhibits. Those who get prizes also learn by experience. There was once the 'first time' for them too. Now, at this time when most of the flowers are available in hybrid form, most of the entries are almost identical with a minor difference in quality, appearance and above all, presentation. And, that makes all the difference. Let us take up these points one by one. Quality, like in any other contest, is the prime requirement in case of flowers too.

 Now, when various companies have flooded the market with hybrids, the gardeners have adopted them well. When they participate, they enter exhibits that are awesome. Sometimes it is difficult for the judges to select. Here, it would be worthwhile to mention that one should know that seeds only from reputed companies that are known for quality.

 If as an amateur, you want to be sure about the goodwill of a company, you can contact the professionals, the ones who compete from institutions. They have almost perfected the art of procuring good quality seed and raising them to match any standard. The appearance matters. What attracts you or the judges towards a specimen is its appearance.

 It should be at its correct form at the time of judging. For example, the central disc of a dahlia should not be fully opened, the rose bud should be semi open, the antirrhinum should have a few buds at the top that are still to open and so is the case with gladiolus. 

At the time of display, one should not forget to dress the bloom. The diseased or blemished parts should not be allowed on the bloom. When you display blooms, they should also have supporting and healthy foliage. The display is probably the most important factor in wining a prize. At the time of judgment, the bloom should be at its best. For example, it should not be sagging as happens in case of lupins, stock (single type), antirrhinum etc. 

The blooms in the vases should be stable and should not be falling. It may break or damage the bloom. It so happens when you display a big heavy bloom in a vase with small base. It so happens in case of stock, dahlia, antirrhinum and gladiolus. Do not secure the bloom in sand filled vase.

 It will sag in no time. While displaying make sure the number of sticks is as per the specifications given in the pamphlet. The blooms should be facing the judges and should not be swaying. This can be prevented by giving a tight packing of leaves and twigs in the vase. Always carry extra blooms to the show lest you should damage a bloom or two and are in need of a replacement.

satishnarula@yahoo.co.in 

It is better to participate with dyed blooms as they have unique colouration like green gladiolus or red tuberose. 

This is a completely wrong notion. In fact, such specimens are rejected. So while participating, be natural and do not use dyes to colour your blooms. 

Lyricist Sandeep Nath talks of his career in Bollywood and what lies ahead

An admirer of Majrooh Sultanpuri, Anand Bakshi, Sahir Ludhianvi and Shailendra, Sandeep Nath has a lot of popular numbers to his credit as a lyricist. Yet he is waiting to write his masterpiece. In the city on a writing session with his friend, writer-director Neeraj Pathak, he shares with us his Bollywood journey.

"I started as a journalist and moved to Mumbai in 1996 to try my luck in Bollywood. Since then I have written lyrics for over 32 films and dialogues for a few," shares Nath.

"Although a thinker can write in almost any format, writing lyrics for Bollywood flicks is a little challenging, for one has to write on a dhun and situation," he says. However, Nath has enjoyed every bit of this challenge.

Recipient of the Stardust Award for Standout Performance by a Lyricist (2008) for the song Yoon Shabnami in Saawariya, Nath has worked in close association with Madhur Bhandarkar and Ram Gopal Verma. "I have done four movies - Page 3, Corporate, Fashion and Jail with Bhandarkar, and the experience was great. When Lataji sang the song Kitne ajeeb rishte hai, it was a definite high for me," he shares.

Nath also wrote popular numbers Kuan mein doob jaoongi, Huzoor-e-ala and Fashion ka hai jalwa.

Nath is next writing a movie script and aspires to make his own films one day. "It's women- centric movies that I want to make for I am a true believer in women power," he signs off.

mona@tribunemail.com

With the anticipated decline in the popularity of Punjabi pop music, many Punjabi folk singers have turned to Sufiana singing in regional folk style only to keep them afloat. Sufism is a form of worship of the preceptor by a seeker, which transcends religious and man-made barriers. A Sufi yeans for a direct contact of soul," say Adrim and Shakur Khan.

Like the Qawwals, we had been singing Sufiana sangeet since our childhood, this being our old family legacy though it has undergone many changes in content and style, adds Adrim.

In the city for a performance at the Rajasthan Craft Mela at Kalagram, they shared their views on the contemporary Sufiana and folk music scene.

"We are engaged in the dissemination of the spiritual wisdom enshrined in the utterances of saints like Amir Khusro, Kabir, Baba Farid, Bulleh Shah, Shah Latif, Shah Hussain and others through our music. Sufi music is an Ibadaat for us who belong to the Langas and Mangiyars communities as we survive on music profession," they say.

Hailing from a sleepy village, Pau, near Jaisalmer, they have a firm rooting in classical and folk music. About the government patronage they say NZCC has been helping but at the same time only those with influential godfathers get benefited. 

The exchange4media group has launched a Hindi news website, samachar4media.com, which focuses on the Indian media, advertising, marketing and PR industryThe fourth estate brings forth the true picture of society. No filters, no hidden stuff, only the real picture from the site of action. But who would act as a watchdog on the fourth estate?

Hindi movie Rann tried to probe the question, but how far can it go? As they say, a little difference makes all the difference.

The exchange4media group has now launched a Hindi news website, samachar4media.com, which focuses on the Indian media, advertising, marketing and PR industry. The portal was dedicated to the nation on February 15, 2010.

A highly skilled and professionally managed team led by PK Khurana is working on the editorial content. Khurana has joined exchange4media group after a long stint at QuikRelations, as the president of north-based PR consultancy.

Says PK Khurana, "Despite various setbacks in the last two years, the Indian media and advertising industry has grown at a phenomenal pace. New titles, new channels and expansion plans of media players continued all of last year, adding more action to the space. Given this growth, there was need for a serious news portal that covered developments of the Indian media industry in Hindi language."

The portal will discuss the media scenario, training facilities, job opportunities, media strategies, future plans of various media houses etc, and would also look at the Indian media and advertising industry for day-to-day coverage of news and developments in a serious manner. Accuracy and credibility are our cornerstones.

Given the fact that samachar4media is in Hindi, the new portal addresses a new target audience, which was earlier deprived of the vital industry information.

"Someone sitting in Patna or Jaipur can also check the portal and see what is happening in the media industry across India. We have various segments in the portal, which will cater to the needs of readers. It has forums, wherein we invite guests from the industry for a discussion. We also have guests column which gives an insight into the trends in the industry and factors influencing it," adds Khurana.

On why a Hindi portal, Khurana feels that in terms of circulation figures the top four slots are occupied by Hindi newspapers, while the top English paper is ranked 11th. "The market reality is different. Media in Hindi is growing and we would want to bring this closer to the Indian media, advertising, marketing and PR professionals." The exchange4media group is the leading news player in the Indian media, advertising and marketing space. In addition to exchange4media.com, the group publishes the weekly 'Impact' and a monthly marketing magazine 'Pitch'.

— Jasmine Singh