Never say never…actor Aman Dhaliwal, who played Rajkumar Ratan Singh in Jodhaa Akbar, got this as a forward message from his friend one day. "It was probably one of those days when I was feeling extremely slow, wondering what was I doing in life," shares the actor who also reveals that there has been a fresh change in his attitude after he put the SMS into practice.

In the city to promote his upcoming movie Virsa, which has already won accolades at Dallas Film Festival, Aman finally sees light for Punjabi movies at the end of the tunnel.

"Virsa is the first Punjabi film that has been appreciated at the Dallas Film Festival. And it is for the first time that a movie with a mixed cast and crew from India, Pakistan and Australia has won accolades. Punjabi movies are finally ready to rub shoulders with the best in the international market," says Aman.

We understand, directors like Manmohan Singh are doing the needful to raise the stature of Punjabi cinema, but 'rubbing shoulders in international market' sounds a little too much to ask for? "Not at all," Aman dismisses it right away. "Punjabi movies always had an NRI audience. However, now it is finding new markets in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and countries like USA and South Africa," he says.

But what about the whole 'been there done that' look of the movies, the meagre budgets, the same star cast (the hero is either the dimpled Harbhajan Mann or the warm and rooted Gurdaas Maan) and the same plots.

Smiles Aman (we bet he too is aware of this fact), "The scenario has changed completely. Punjabi movies are working on bigger budgets with fresh cast and crew, and we definitely have better plots." Err…do we remember any?

All is not bad still or rather all 'izz' well. One-or two-odd Punjabi flicks in a year see good openings at multiplexes; some Bollywood actors like Sonu Sood and Raza Murad have expressed interest in acting in movies with good scripts. "Punjabi cinema is going through its best phase. However, we need to admit that it is impossible for us to compete with Bollywood or Hollywood. We need to excel as one big Punjabi industry," shares Aman, who will be seen shortly in yet another Punjabi production Ek Kudi Punjab Di.

We took a chance on this question; hope this is not the case of sour grapes for the doe-eyed guy from Mansa who set out to be a hero in films. Aman laughs. "It might sound like one. I am doing pretty well for myself. I am getting roles in Bollywood as well, and attraction for Punjabi cinema comes naturally to me. I don't like grapes anyways." How modest can one be!

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Actor Bobby Deol says his upcoming film Help, opposite Mugdha Godse, is one of the finest horror movies of recent times.Speaking about the film directed by debutant Rajeev Virani, Bobby said, "The film has been beautifully shot and I must say it's one of the finest horror films that the audience will see. It's chilling, gruesome and the kind of horror which gives you Goosebumps. Help will take the horror genre in India to another level. My character in the film is extremely well defined and I am sure people will like the new Bobby in the film." He said he has recently wrapped up the final schedule of the film and is extremely excited about its release. Producer Sanjay Ahluwalia and Vinay Choksey said the release dates would be announced soon. The film was shot in Mauritius and Mumbai for a schedule of 45 days spread over a period of 8 months.

Director Virani said Help is a supernatural horror that draws upon the story of a spirit that refuses to leave the human world. Protagonist Vic (Bobby Deol) is a successful horror film director in Bollywood and is married to Pia (Mugdha Godse). Pia and Vic are having marital problems and in the midst of their troubled marriage, they have to rush to Mauritus to visit Pia's ailing father. — Agency

Baywatch star Pamela Anderson is sad to see Sandra Bullock's private life splashed across the front pages, insisting the press attention will have made her husband's recent cheating scandal even more unbearable.

Bullock walked out on her partner, Jesse James, last month after tattooed model Michelle MCGee went public with claims of an 1-month affair with the TV mechanic.

Two other women have since come forward with similar claims, while a fourth mistress is also alleged to have been involved with James while he has been married to the actor.

And Anderson, who knows both Bullock and James, feels sorry for the Speed actor because she's having to deal with her heartache in front of the world's media.

"That sucks. That's terrible... I do know them. And I feel bad for her... I had no idea. You know, again, I don't really know what's going on with them personally. I haven't talked to them in a long time but it's just all too bad.

It's too bad that it's so public and everyone talks about it because it's hard enough, you know, privately," speaking to US TV host Larry King, Anderson said.

— PTI

Hollywood star Kate Winslet has lent her voice to a new animal-rights campaign urging the public to boycott foie gras.

The Titanic actress provides the commentary for a new promo by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which documents the terrible conditions put in place to make the dish which is made from the livers of fattened ducks.

PETA operatives went undercover at a foie gras farm to film the lives of ducks and geese as they are force-fed so their livers can be used as a restaurant delicacy.

And Winslet insists it's time diners realised the "terrifying and painful" ordeal the birds endure to cater for their expensive tastes.

The actress isn't the first star to throw their weight behind an anti-foie gras campaign. — PTI 

Troubled star Lindsay Lohan was spotted shopping just hours after she allegedly cut short a court date because of her hectic schedule. The actor was due to attend an all-day deposition at a courthouse relating to a lawsuit from three men who have accused her of holding them hostage during a drunken drive through Malibu, California in 2007, a celebrity website reported.

Lohan reportedly arrived for the session in Venice, California 90 minutes late, and then sped off without getting out of her vehicle.

The Mean Girls star is said to have left upon hearing she was expected to be there for the entire day.

And now pictures have emerged of Lohan leisurely browsing through a Beverly Hills store after she cut short her court appearance.

The star is seen trying on clothes with her sister, Ali, and a friend at the Switch Boutique.

Lohan's accusers, Ronnie Blake, Jakon Sutter and Dante Nigro, filed suit against the actress in 2008, accusing her of endangering their lives. The 23-year-old was stopped after the incident by police officers, who allegedly found cocaine in the car. Lohan later pleaded guilty to reckless drinking and served one day in jail. — PTI 

What India would be 30 years on…is what “India 2039 – An Affluent Society In One Generation” tries to answer. The compilation by a highly experienced international team of authors, along with Harinder S Kohli, works on two premises — where would India be if it continues at the current growth rate and what if it stumbles.

Focused on inter-generational lessons, the book is a vision of what challenges India would face as a nation. “If we continue the growth, 30 years later we would be one the most affluent country of the world not only in terms of money but also quality of life. And expectations from us would be huge,” says Kohli, founding director, Centennial Group International at a discussion on the book organised by CII-Yi (Young India) event on Friday.

“On the contrary, if India is not able to sustain the current growth rate, one is stuck in the middle income group — people get frustrated, lose confidence in the system, crime increases and society falls apart,” he says.

At the discussion, he elucidated that the economic successes are primarily due to India’s dynamic and competitive private sector, and to the newly found ‘can-do’ spirit of the confident middle class and youth, despite significant failures of government on many fronts. He emphasised on the fact that – ‘To go fast we can go alone, but to go far we need to go together’. He added that despite the global slowdown, Indian industry has restructured itself and is gaining ground.

“The future comes earlier than what one imagines and how our country needs to prepare for being world leaders is what ‘India 2039’ is about,” says Kohli.

Kohli is also the founding-member of Emerging Markets Forum. Prior to Centennial Group, Kohli has been in senior positions with the World Bank. His earlier work Growth And Development In Emerging Market Economies: International Private Capital Flows, Financial Markets And Globalization was released in June 2008. Kohli’s next book A resilient Asia Amidst Global Financial Crisis is due for release in May 2010.

mona@tribunemail.com

Music lovers from the region are in for a treat with internationally renowned singer Pandit Kaivalya Kumar Gurav set to regale the audience with his mellifluous voice on Saturday. The event is being organised by the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi in collaboration with Indian National Theatre at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan Auditorium in Sector 27.

Pandit Kaivalya Kumar has been hailed as the doyen of Kirana Gharana by legends like Pandit Bhim Sen Joshi, Ustad Amir Khan and others. Trained by the likes of Pandit Bhasker Bua Bhakle and Ustad Karim Khan Saheb, the Dharwad-based singer has been rightfully decorated with Surmani Samman, Pandit Jasraj Samman et al. - TNS

(At Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan-27, from 7.00 pm onwards on Saturday) 

My aim in life is to make people understand the value of art," says freelance artist Sikander Singh. With this in mind, he has put up an exhibition of as many as 36 paintings at the Government Museum and Art Gallery-10.

Rural folk, women in myriad forms and children make up the themes for his paintings. "I have this special love for people, so like to do portraits. Wherever I go, there is an image of a person that strikes me and I paint that," shares Sikander.

A Rajasthani man in traditional attire, an old woman from Himachal and a little girl stand out amid the paintings on display. "This man from Rajasthan has appealed to many art lovers," points out Sikander. "I painted it during one of my visits to the princely state," he informs

Apart from people, it's sculptors that are noticeable at this exhibition. "I have a thing for sculptors, I can't make sculptors, so I regularly paint them," he shares. Sikander does not name his paintings for he feels that his characters speak for themselves.

A Ganesha, Buddha, a street with autos, and a lotus bud are other paintings on show. "I do not have a special theme for this exhibition. I have brought the best of my last four-to-five years of work here. This is me," says Sikander. Most of his works are oil and acrylic on canvas and water on sheet.

Hailing from Moga, Sikander is a pass-out from the Government College of Art, Chandigarh. "I am what my teachers made me. I am really indebted to ustad Satnam Singh from Moga, my teachers and my wife Ripu, who inspired me to carry on."

This is Sikander's second solo exhibition. His first was at Papatoetoe, Auckland, where he also held a workshop. "The Punjabi community in New Zealand is not very active in the arena of arts. I am glad that I got a chance to initiate art there," he signs off.

mona@tribunemail.com

Social issues like women empowerment, dowry deaths, cyber crime and man's constant struggle find an expression in young artist Nishant Chhatwal's works. All of 16, Nishant started painting when he was in class three and now has a collection of over 100 paintings to his credit.

Orra has announced its annual anniversary sale valid from April 15 to May 16. It is offering the consumers a huge opportunity to buy exquisitely designed jewellery with a discount up to 25 per cent on the entire value of the jewellery.In addition, one can get flat 50 per cent off on making charges of gold coins and bars. Orra's anniversary sale offers an entire collection of stunning earrings, pendants, rings, bangles, nose pins and necklaces crafted from the finest Belgium diamonds and other precious stones. 

Pick and choose from classic to ultra modern and chic styles in gold or the rare and beautiful platinum.

According to Sandeep Handa, regional sales manager North, Orra, "We believe that innovation is the key to success and so along with our existing vast range we have a host of new collections to offer. With jewellery beginning at an affordable Rs 5,000 onwards there is something special for everyone."

— TNS

For all those biryani lovers in Tricity, here comes a revelation. If you believe that you have tasted the authentic flavour of Hyderabad, then think again. You are yet to be served the royal and rich Hyderabadi biryani. At least that is what K L Sachdeva, the master chef for the ongoing Hyderabadi food festival at Western Court, Nazakatein Kuch Hyderabad Se, claims.

The 10-day-festival brings tastes of from the City of Nizams, the festival offers an assortment of finest flavours from the Hyderabadi cuisine.

The elaborate menu consists of delicacies prepared by chefs Manju Sachdeva and KL Sachdeva, who have specially flown in from Hyderabad. A buffet menu reads like murg nizam shahi, baghare baigan, paneer nizam shahi and desserts have nizam shahi makhane ki kheer and khubbani ka meetha. Apt from the main course, their will be scrumptious snacks like golcunda keema kebabs, dum ka keema, ghost biryani and veg biryani.

"We will be serving different menu each day, with some additions. Authentic herbs and spices have been used in food preparations and the entire cuisine will be lavishly served," says Rajeev Kakar, group general manager, Western Court.

Using the ancient cooking technique of Nizam gharana, the food will be prepared itminna se or on slow fire. "This helps retaining their original natural flavour of spices and herbs used and also enhancing the taste. Some of the dishes take at lest two days to prepare," says KL Sachdeva, who has been serving Hyderabadi flavours for the past 20 years. And what 's chef's secret ingredient? "It will remain a secret. But the there are 12 herbs used in the basic preparations of every dish. Some of the herbs are never heard of before, like paan ki jadi." Of course, the special ingredient remains unmentioned, "The dishes are cooked straight from the heart." Though he maintains that these are heavy on the stomach but the use of herbs makes it easy for health.

Some names comes with a little historical background. "Colonel 65 is a chicken preparation that got its name as it was served to a colonel in the 1965 war in Secunderabad."

Well, nothing serves the Punjabi palate right than rich and interesting menu. -Neha Walia

On till April 25 

Somewhere here or there, a new restaurant or a café coming up is as regular as Shashi Tharoor's tweets. Only that they don't lead to any controversy! Instead, they just raise our curiosity levels, leading to the 'let's check it out phenomenon.'

So, when we heard about Himani opening a new Lounge, Vertigo in Sector-35, the drill (of checking out) followed naturally. After the success of Crepe Station, Himani has come up with Vertigo, a lounge- cum-bar, which seems like a place youngsters will like to frequent.

A dome-like entrance made of pieces of shinning glass ushers you into Vertigo. Seating capacity of 120, appreciable leg space, light and informal ambience, good music, and a not-very-stiff-on-pocket menu…why wouldn't youngsters want to hang out at such a place?

Offers Ankit Gupta, managing director and member of managing committee Hotel & Restaurant Association of Northern India, "Vertigo has been designed keeping youngsters in mind. There are many restaurants that offer fine dining in a formal set up. However, at this place youngsters can sit, chat with friends and also dig into a reasonably priced menu."

And if you feel like adding a little sporty touch, walk up to the pool table and hit some nice shots. Sounds and looks like a dedicated place for the young brigade! As per Ankit, "The population of youngsters in the city has increased due to the new institutes that have sprung up. At any given point in Sector-35, you can spot young boys and girls eating at various joints."

Ankit feels that the affordable menu is the USP of the place. Veg Tuk Tuk Sandwhich, Veg Pasta, Kahula (hard drink mixed with milk), Afghani Kebab, Chicken 65 (a Chinese dish), mutton chilly and many more sumptuous dishes are on the menu card. And what best than to wash it down with a mug of draught beer. Best antidote for summers. What say?

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Onion, one of the most cultivated and consumed vegetables on the planet, contains some components that have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, making it possible to use it to preserve food, says a new study. The study has been conducted by researchers from the Polytechnic University of Cataluna (UPC) and the University of Barcelona (UB), "The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the flavonoids of the raw onion make it a good candidate for use in food preservation", said researcher Jonathan Santas from the department of nutrition and bromatology at the University of Barcelona (UB).

The study has shown that the flavonoids of onion, in addition to having beneficial properties for health, increase the life of foods, and so "they are a natural alternative to artificial additives used in the food industry". The study has been published in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology. — ANI 

"The way people chew the food depends more on the food's properties, not the individual, so you can design food which people won't chew much and (food they) will chew a lot," team leader Marco Morgenstern said.In their study, the researchers found that their findings included the benefits of eating whole-oat muesli and wholegrain bread, which made people feel satisfied for longer. Pasta was also found to have a slow-release energy.The research team has also created an online diet programme called Aspire for Life, which has been clinically tested at Otago University. — PTI