And we thought…reality shows, fast cars, bikes, drugs and rave parties are things that a youngster today would feel nice to be associated with. And we thought we are a generation that gives a damn to what is happening outside our homes. And we thought we are okay till the time someone doesn't rub us the wrong way or scratch our posh luxury car or doesn't allow stag entry inside a discotheque. But for once…we were wrong.

'Politically aware' youngsters gathered at the auditorium of DAV-10 to participate in a talk show organised by a television channel narrated a different story. A story of awareness, of responsibility, of blood boiling due to corruption, malpractices, of agitated yet 'ready to explain and listen to' minds that had a zillion queries on the politics and the story behind it. The team of Rajneeti (thankfully we didn't have to settle with politically correct answers from the real 'rajnetas'), Prakash Jha, Ranbir Kapoor, Manoj Bajpai and writer Anjum Rajabali was glad to take on the debate without being 'politically correct'.

How can one manage to make a film on Indian politics? It's complex, dirty and huge. It's an arena where alliances are made and broken at the blink of an eye, rallies involving a sizeable population are taken out and countless ideologies have to be catered to. But, Prakash Jha did manage to make such a film by merely understanding the term — rajneeti.

"Raj-neeti — the laws to rule — have remained constant. They were the same when Ramayana and Mahabharata were written and they remain the same to date. So, I rather drew inspiration from Mahabharta than the present political personalities or parties," says Jha. And it solved the problem of characters in the film, as a character in the Mahabharta inspired each one.

The current scenario of Indian politics was also not ignored. "Ranbir and Katrina were signed with mature actors to create a balance. Many young leaders are entering politics in a bid to usher in change." Besides the characters, it was the locale of the film that truly mirrors Indian politics. The film was shot in Bhopal and rallies were arranged as well as lectures delivered as we see them in reality. "As many as 8,000 people from the villages around Bhopal were trained for six months to render a real look to the movie."

Jha's experience of politics is not just limited to the camera. He contested the last Lok Sabha elections, which he lost, albeit the experience was rich. "It's more than ruling a constituency. It's development, being able to reach out to people and wealth generation by empowering people with employment."

But with the film, the least he wants to do is pass judgment on the political system in India. "Politics has a negative connotation in India. But it is also what we all daily indulge in to survive. Don't limit the term to ruling party or the opposition."

The movie has been in news for the comparison of Katrina Kaif's character with Sonia Gandhi, something Jha outrightly denies. The entire crew is on a seven-city tour, where they will interact with mostly students. "Youth is the future of Indian politics because they are well aware; we thought of reaching out to them to know how they perceive it all."

Jha strongly believes that voting should be made compulsory in India. "It is an irony that people before buying grocery and clothes get the rates rechecked several times. On the other hand, they don't bother while choosing the leader who would decide their fate for the next five years. Making voting compulsory will make them responsible citizens." Till that happens, we hope the film gives us a reality check of the great Indian political system! 

Do we need to explain why girls made a beeline outside the DAV college auditorium? Ranbir Kapoor, of course! Dressed in casual check shirt and denims, Ranbir made some fashion statement. But that is something that he keeps doing. In fact, what made news this time was his opinion on politics. "Casting vote should be made mandatory," asserts Ranbir.

The suggestion comes after a decent reasoning. "The voter turnout has been decreasing, election dates are otherwise a holiday. People will cast votes only if they are forced to do so. And interest is generated only when participation is there." But Ranbir's role in the film Rajneeti is not of a politician. "I am in the role of an outsider who somehow changes the course of politics." Playing his age in the film, he believes, "Youth will dominate politics in the times to come." And his excitement for the role began as soon as he signed the film post the release of Saawariya.

Ranbir doesn't want to be tagged as an actor of a particular genre. "It's too early in my career to have a set image. It will change with every role that I do." And it didn't bother him one bit that he was being cast along with veteran actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Nana Patekar. "Every character in the film has depth. It was a learning experience to work with the best of the actors in the industry," he says. And his source of political knowhow? Prakash Jha of course.

ashima@tribunemail.com

Anurag Kashyap production Udaan may have figured in the official lineup at this year's Cannes — the first time in seven years — but surprisingly the film did not find a place at the Indian Pavillion.

The India Pavilion at the Festival De Cannes, showcasing the country's cinema to the world audience was opened by Information and Broadcasting Secretary Raghu Menon but there was not a single poster of director Vikramaditya Motwane's debut venture. Instead, the Pavillion sported posters of India's wildlife, history and heritage. Udaan is to screen in A Certain Regard at the 63rd edition of the festival alongside films of veterans like Jean-Luc Godard and Manoel de Oliveira. The last time an Indian film was shown in the same section was Murali Nair Arimpara in 2003.

Udaan is a story centering an abusive father-son relationship starring new actor Rajat Barmecha and Indian TV stars Ronit Roy and Ram Kapoor. Bollywood actor Mallika Sherawat was also present along with Indian Ambassador to France Ranjan Mathai, director of Film Festivals S M Khan, industrialist Prakash Hinduja, producer-director Subash Ghai, Indian documentary maker S Krishnaswamy, and deputy general delegate of the Cannes Film Festival, Christian Jeune at the inauguration. The Indian government has send a 45-member team to market India as a prime film destination during the Cannes Film Festival with an aim to attract well-known Hollywood and European studios.

"The aim behind the strong government presence is to promote India as a film destination in Cannes and invite US and European film-makers to shoot their films here," a senior ministry official had said. — PTI

She has become a fixture on the French Riviera over the years and Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan did not disappoint onlookers at the 63rd Cannes festival when she walked the red carpet at the gala opening.The 36-year-old actor who arrived minus husband Abhishek Bachchan wore a violet tulle and mousseline gown from Elie Saab.

With her hair done up in a pompadour updo, the actor walked the red carpet with fellow L'oreal spokesmodel, American actor Eva Longoria. Rai is here to promote her much awaited film, Mani Ratnam's Ravan, whose first look will be unveiled on May 17. Her co-stars, including husband Abhishek and Tamil actor Vikram will attend the evening along with the filmmaker. The bilingual work has been produced by Reliance Big Pictures and is slated for a June release.

The former Miss World, has been a permanent Cannes attendee for many years, since her movie, Devdas screened at the Festival in 2002. The festival which opened with the premiere of Ridley Scott's Robin Hood was awash with stars including the epic's lead pair Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. Academy Award wining Mexican actor Salma Hayek, who was part of the Festival jury along with India's Nandita Das in 2005, was also present. — PTI

Grease four small ramekins with butter. If you wish to make one large pudding, use a glass bowl or a cake tin instead. Dust them lightly with maida, tap them to coat evenly and invert them to shake off any excess. Pour in the pudding mixture and bake until the tops crack and the edges are set. The individual puds could take 10-12 minutes. The large one will need 25-30 minutes. Remember, we do not want a fully firm centre! Overcooking could destroy the gooey character of the final product! Serve immediately with light cream, custard or ice cream.

2 eggs, separated

50g butter

110g castor sugar

2 large lemons (rind and juice)

1 tsp vanilla

50gm maida

¾ tsp baking powder

150ml milk

Method

Use a deep vessel to prevent the batter from flying around while you whisk! Beat the butter, sugar, vanilla and lemon rind together until well softened, then beat in the yolks a little at a time. Next fold in the flour alternately with the milk and lemon juice. Whisk the egg whites and fold them in too. Pour the batter into greased and dusted dish and bake for 35-40 minutes. Check frequently during the latter half of this time. The top should be browned on top but the middle should remain wobbly. Serve with lightly whipped cream or custard.

Want to make your kid eat more apples, strawberries and grapes? Well, then try to make the fruits look good.

A new study, published in journal Appetite, studied nearly 100 pupils in the Netherlands and Belgium to reach the above conclusion, reports The BBC.In the study, children aged four to seven were presented apples, strawberries and seedless grapes in different ways.

When given a choice, the children plumped for these fruits more readily when they were made into a hedgehog, skewered with colourful cocktail sticks that were pierced into a watermelon.The same cubed fruits didn't entice the children when they were simply offered on a white dish.

The study found that kids ate nearly twice as much of the "fun" fruit, even though they said they understood that both fruit options should taste the same. Attractive packaging could make this kind of snack even more appealing", the boffins told the journal. — ANI

Suspended high in the air; performing stunts with swords and jumping from a ring or a cuboid from a dangerous height…dancing just turned adventurous or lets say…risky! At least that is the idea popularised by the dance reality shows on air these days.

Just an example of how dance has turned into a risky business, Siddhesh, a participant of Zara Nachke Dikhaa on Star Plus, along with three other contestants did yet another risky act, which they dedicated to the Mother's Day. Suspended high in the air without harness support, Siddhesh lost balance while performing and was lucky enough to have survived a crash. Now, one doesn't have to rake his or her brains to imagine what would have happened had he slipped. But then isn't dance turning too dangerous as a means of entertainment?

"First, we need to bifurcate the term stunt from dance. Stunts are something like a blast happening in the background or an action sequence with bikes or stuff like that. A rope malkan is a traditional art and can be introduced into dance. Similarly, B-buoying, hip-hop need a lot of movements that one could call stunts. But it depends on what level you take it to," says Geeta Kapoor, choreographer and judge on Zee TV's Dance India Dance (DID) show. Well, DID was one show that popularised different dance forms and with it started the race to be different.

"When you are in a competition with the best of talent, you want to be different and that needs hardwork. Even if in the beginning it does look impossible to perform a particular stunt, once you get into the groove and practice consistently things become easy to execute. Each of us used to practice at least 12 hours a day along with professionals and our mentors by our side. So, the stunts were smoothly performed on stage," says Saajan Singh, a contestant from Zee TV's Dance India Dance Season 2, who belongs to Chandigarh.

Saajan also performed stunts under mentor Remo D'Souza. "The Malkhamb act was difficult as it required me to do things I have never tried before. Even at the rehearsals, I wasn't able to get a particular stunt right even after two days of practice. So, Remo sir dropped the sequence and changed the ending."

But isn't it too much to ask from your body? Another example was Binny from DID-2, who performed under high fever despite which her act wasn't appreciated. "Every dance form needs riyaz. Similarly, even stunts need practice, so that the mind and body gets into that mould. I got spasms in my thighs during rehearsals for Malkhamb act, but once I was over with it my body was comfortable doing it on stage," shares Saajan.

"These acts need years of practice and hard work. Without proper body conditioning, one should not put pressure on the body," shares Fatima Khanam, a choreographer and Farah Khan's assistant in Main Hoon Na. "It's a trend that television shows follow in order to look different. Although all safety measures are taken, sometimes things don't work out as planned. These keep happening all the time during rehearsals."

However much might be the risk involved, the circus antics in the name of dance are a hit for sure. Over the top, that's entertainment!

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

Famous for its three P's - Paranda, Pagri and Pegg, people of the royal city of Patiala are also known for having a craze for old series registration numbers for their cars. From politicians to bureaucrats, there are many who own luxury cars bearing old series registration numbers.

And it is not that cars bearing these fancy numbers are old; those with new cars get de-registered and manage to get these old numbers again.

Patiala Mayor Ajitpal Singh Kohli is so much fond of such numbers that he has three cars bearing old series numbers. Besides, Kohli's personal Endeavour, which has the number PJP 7, his other two cars bear the registration number PCP 7 and PHI 7, respectively. "I simply love old numbers and try to procure them," says Kohli.

Another politician having a craze for such numbers is chairman of the Patiala Market Committee Harvinder Singh Harpalpur. His personal car number is PIJ 1. "Everyone has interests. While some people collect old coins and old stamps, many others own vintage cars. My interest is driving cars bearing old, fancy registration numbers," says Harpalpur. Sukhwinder Bhardwaj, a realtor, also owns a car with registration number 1.

Likewise, grandson of Panth Rattan and former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra's grandson Harinder Pal Singh Tohra's Endeavour bears the number PCP 2. Youth Akali leader Harpal Juneja's car has the number PAO 2. Another youth Akali leader Sukhman Sidhu's car's number is PAR 1.

Even the bureaucrats are fond of old numbers. SK Ahluwalia, who retired as Divisional Commissioner of Patiala, owns three cars with fancy, old numbers.

And such is the love for these numbers that most of the people say that when they dispose off their cars and buy a new one, they would retain the old number!

N&N designs, a linen brand for kids started by two friends Preetinder Kaur and Fatima Khanam, is out with their second collection. Cushions covers, bed-sheet sets, AC comforters, wraps, top sheets drapes in bright floral, patterned and animal prints are on display at Episode 9.

One can pick up cushions and bolsters in all shapes and sizes - triangles, squares, hearts, butterflies to decorate the kids’ room.

"Kids love colours and that is what we have kept in mind while designing this summer collection," says Fatima. "Also, while toddlers' linen has animals, flowers and cartoons, for tweens and teens, its bright colours in stripes and patterns to suit their taste," she adds.

Stools that can store stuff are available in vibrant colours. Matching wall hangings painted with butterflies, tigers and other animals are also on display. — TNS

(On till May 16)

Smart, stylish and chic are the words one would use to describe the western summer line presented by friends Sonali Khanna and Minni. Their fourth exhibition together, the line has shirts, tops, straight shift dresses, A-line dresses and kaftans.

"Structured garments in easy fabrics is the USP of our summer line," says Sonali Khanna. The cuts are smart and fabrics like cotton, linen and georgettes help you breath in the heat. Designing clothes, originally a hobby for friends, has spread out in their line that's got tremendous response in their friend circle. Dressed in one of their own creation, Sonali shares that she loved to design for herself before she started to do it professionally.

The dresses mostly in plain with a pattern to add a designer touch, can teamed up or down with accessories to suit the occasion. — TNS

(Concludes today) 

Edumation'10 the animation seminar series in the tricity will take off on May 21at PHD Chambers, Sector 31. Animation Live, the Multimedia and Animation training division of ATS Edutech, is organising this three-day event from May 21. Professionals from the field of animation and visual effects from Mumbai and Chennai will participate in this seminar that promises to be a great learning experience for all budding animators.

Vinay Singh Chupal, VFX specialist will address students on "Behind the scenes VFX magic". Vinay shared the Filmfare Award for "Best Visual Effects" for the movie "Kaminey". Vinay has contributed to many bollywood big banner movies like Veer, Prince, Krish, Dhoom 1, Dhoom 2, Tare Zameen Par, Lagaan and many others. — TNS

Salochna's Beauty World conducted a workshop at Moti Mahal Delux Restaurant-17 on make-up and hair styling. The transformation through different types of looks and use of proper techniques for hair and make-up was demonstrated.

Salochna Ahuja is a known name in the make-up and beauty field since the past 30 years.

Different types of make-ups taught included day make-up, evening make-up, party make-up glossy effect and matt finish. — TNS