The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle

‘D Major’ and ‘Stereo Nation’ are excited about their fusion tour

Stereo Nation. Photo: S Chandan

It's gals versus guys thing. With three from the all-girl band ‘D Major' and an equal number from the 'Stereo Nation' battling it out at the Antiquity Club Fusion Tour at Black Magic, IT Park.

With girls late and team Tazz dot on time, and due apologies on the inevitable late flight…anyways we begin with the ladies first. With the D-Major that is — a sister act with VJ Anusha, Shibani and Apeksha. "I'm very excited to perform in Chandigarh, especially when it is for the first time that my sisters are performing," VJ Anusha begins with the greetings and the gratitude.

As for the band, it's a blend of hip-hop, R&B, Punjabi Hindi fusion sort of music. "We so completely identify with the tour and the collaboration. It's a complete blend of East meets West…we too are like Indian girls grown up in the West." The band, perhaps, has always been on the cards. "We've always been performing monkeys, always been the first ones to go up on stage. My mother was part of a band too and dad's always been on stage," says Anusha.

The seven city tour halts for the fifth time in Chandigarh with Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore already done, and Kolkata and Delhi yet to go. One more tour is on the cards, but that's on what Stereo Nation's up to. "We'll be putting together a 20-20 Tour Stereo Nation. It doesn't have anything to do with cricket." At the event, it'll be performing songs from the album. "It's a East meets West, fusion club tour and I think the girls are very talented." He adds: "We'll be performing songs from the album and a couple of collaborations."

"I've a collaboration with a new artiste Rana Shah in the song Dost Kar Ke Toast." While his latest offering Twist and Shout Taz embraces fusion style of music encompassing all his musical inspirations: think influences ranging from 60s Motown/Blue to the modern era of 'urban street'. In the queue are a couple of films. "I'll be doing a Hollywood film and a Punjabi film as well, which I'll be producing. " As of now, we leave them to battle it out at the East meets West evening!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Stun(t)ning moves
Neha Walia

City lad Atul Banmoria's action-packed dance moves on DID Lil Masters makes him a hot favourite

He may be the shyest guy to have on the action-packed stage of Dance India Dance Lil Masters, but Chandigarh's Atul Banmoria has made it to the top seven…thanks to his electrifying stunts and versatile dance moves.

The 11-year old, who started off as a lanky shy kid, is now the favourite to win the title. "It feels great to have reached this stage when all other participants are so competitive and every performance is like another challenge," says Atul. With an impressive display of his smooth, clean dance moves combined with an amazing use of props in his choreography, Atul has gradually transformed into a fine performer. The resident of Manimajra Modern Complex, Atul's mother Suman is one among his fans and avidly watches the programme every week, as that is the only way she can get to see the boy who has been away since the last three months. And she is very proud that now her neighbours know her as Atul's mother and not Mrs Banmoria alone! His father Nardev Singh Banmoria wants him to grow up and become a choreographer like his favourite — Remo. And going by their son's talent, the dream doesn't look distant!

Whether it was his contemporary dance style on Tere Bina Nai Lagda or the b-bouying and hip hop blast, he has left nothing that needs to be explored. "Atul has grown on the show, trying out each dancing style with equal effect. He can pick up any difficult dance move quickly and even his stunts are clean. There are no boundaries left for him," shares his skipper Jai Kumar Nayar, who is confident that Atul could easily make it to the top two. Last week, Atul got the second highest votes after Jeetumoni.

Practicing for five-six hours a day, Atul is not bothered about the risk and hardwork involved. "I don't feel any pressure while performing difficult stunts as Jai bhaiya makes it easy for me. Whatever inhibitions I had are gone, thanks to my skipper's support." The coming week will see him perform an aerial act and dance using two trampolines. "Terence Lewis crowned me the Prince of Prop and that's the best compliment I have received till now on the show," shares the 'junior Jai'.

Well, standing upside down on your head or performing with a bench, umbrella, hanging from a rope at a risky height may not bring the pressure, but the fact that he is the lone survivor left from Jai Ke Jhatnag Fatang does. Isn't it? "I am in competition with myself and confident of a win." Now, that's what we call confidence! nehawalia@tribunemail.com

Take a bow
Vikram Jit Singh

Priya Mitchell

On a crisp North Indian winter evening three decades back, a petite girl walked imperiously into our Sector 7 bungalow with an intimidating violin. She was all of nine years...and famous. Priya Mitchell was to enrol at the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey (UK). She was also the favoured maternal granddaughter of then Editor of The Tribune, Prem Bhatia.

She perched atop a dressing room stool with her legs dangling. At the request of my late father, S. Man Mohan Singh, Priya was to give a recital. As Priya embarked on an odyssey into the world of Brahms and Beethoven, we boys took matters into our own hands. We hid behind curtains and booed. We slid under the beds and rattled Priya's stool. Priya's concert was wrecked!

Little did the sleepy, untutored Chandigarh of that era realise what a talent that musical bud would blossom into. Blended from exotic Punjabi-Irish bloodlines, Priya's thick, jet-black Eastern hair often gets entangled in her violin's bowstring during performances worldwide! She has been hailed as "one of the foremost violinists of her generation'' by the influential magazine, The Strad, and is the rare blip from India in the rarefied zone of Western classical music. Her performances with orchestras of such repute as the Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Deutshe Sinfonie-Orchester have raised eyebrows of critics.

In 2000, Priya set up the Oxford Chamber Music Festival (OCMF), which brings together musicians of all hues. OCMF concerts have been broadcast by the BBC. The 2010 OCMF has slotted concerts focussing on Scandinavian music.

Priya recollects her visits to her grandparents' home in Chandigarh. “It was the warmth of friends of my grandparents that I cannot forget. The late Lt Gen PS Gyani's wife would make the most delicious meringues served with ice-cream and heaps of chocolate sauce. I was always finding ways to get invited to their house. Noted landscape expert Hardayal Singh Johl, wife Gurbinder and children Goni (international golfer Amandeep Johl) and Gogo (Preneet), were so hospitable. I remember the beautiful fawn-brown cow that the Johl's kept in their garden. The first time I met another `Priya' in my life was Priya Sodhi, the daughter of Bonnie and Justice SS Sodhi,” says Priya, who is settled in London but was brought up in Oxford.

The city's famed architectural lines, the fusion creativity of Nek Chand's Rock Garden and the birds and flowers of its fabled gardens left an indelible impression on her. “At that time the swimming pool of the Chandigarh Golf Club was being dug and I remember my cousin Jojo falling into it. Luckily, he escaped with a mild concussion. We loved playing at the Golf Club and devouring the famous ‘butter toasts'. One of my favourite memories is when I was allowed to visit my grandfather at his office at The Tribune and bring him home for lunch or dinner. My grandfather was a very sensitive person, capable of great warmth. He loved Indian classical music and could endlessly and beautifully recite by heart the poems of the great English Romantics,'' recollects Priya.

After the Yehudi Menuhin School, Priya studied with Zachar Bron in Germany and at the Vienna Conservatoire. The notes emanating from her violin rippled across the globe. She was chosen as the British representative of the European Concert Halls Organisation Rising Stars Series. She is Professor of Violin at the Conservatoire for Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt. Germany's renowned newspaper, Suddeutsche Zeitung, described her as a violinist who “plays with intense expression and keen musical insight. The result is at once exciting and refined''. Der Speigel stated: “No wonder she is the British representative of the Rising Stars series.'' The New York Times hailed her as the “world class violin virtuoso Priya Mitchell''.

Priya says she would just love to visit Chandigarh alone. Grandmother, Shakuntla Bhatia, recalls her sell-out concert at the British Council in New Delhi in 1992. Priya's mother, Pratima Mitchell, is an acclaimed writer with 30 books to her credit. I asked Priya what her dream concert would be. “I would have loved to play Robert Schumann's Violin Concerto conducted by the late Klaus Tennstedt. It is a work with which I identify strongly and Tennstedt had something in his expression that reminds me of my maternal grandfather. Although I never met Tennstedt, he came across as a very humane conductor and not a pedantic, dictatorial maestro”.

House arrest!
Mona

Life takes a u-turn the moment we are blessed with children

Those late dinners with friends, partying, dancing or a quick visit to the hills, get replaced by late night nappy-changing, being a prisoner at home 24X7, all-important regular visits to doctors and avoiding calls from the best of friends…as soon as a child makes an appearance in your life.

Parenthood changes life in more ways than one. And it's one's social life that is the immediate casualty. A study in UK puts the loss of one friend per two kids, as neo parents replace friends by family and professional helpers.

We checked out with city folks if it holds true for them as well. "Social life is hit for sure with parenthood," says Nayana, a management lecturer from Sector 38. "The long wait for Saturdays when evening meant going out with friends happens no more," says this mother to three-year-old Saarvi. "The weekend movies have almost stopped and going out with friends happens rarely, not to mention missing parties where kids aren't allowed," she adds.

But yes, motherhood means other social commitments. "Now, cycling in the evening or a visit to park have been added to daily routine," she says.

And its not like kids influence social circle only. They rule at home as well. "All gadgets belong to Saarvi. Now, laptop plays her favourite rhymes. I have long bid adieu to my favourite Star World and Zee Café for now Saarvi picks up things faster and I do not expose her to a few things that appear on my shows. So we watch Cartoon, Discovery and National Geographic together."

Agrees Varun Bajaj, a businessman from Sector 6, Panchkula. "Having twins has turned my life upside down," he says. "It's been ages that my wife has moved out of the house for a meal or a movie," he shares. Thankfully, his parents are lending a helping hand. "Parents being hands on is sure a big help," he shares. As for socialising, "It isn't a priority now. Even if once in a blue moon I go out with friends, its kids, wife or kids' stores that are the topic of conversation," he laughs.

For Archana Jiouja, a homemaker from Sector 42, life has taken a complete turn. "My girl is now eight, and son two. For all these eight years, its only kids around whom my life revolves. I have given up shopping or going out with friends. It's almost impossible to stick to a plan, its kids who are the priority now," she explains. "I guess its only once I put them in school that I will be able to take out time to do stuff that I like," she sighs.

Rinki Nehan, mother to eight-year-old Nikhaar and 10-month-old Viraaj, is a little more positive though. "Well, I feel that with the arrival of each kid, we give our friends a small break. There is absolutely no connection for the first five months; then you slowly pick up the phone and try reaching out. Going out starts a little late, but then the newborn has to stay back," she says. As for changed preferences, she shares, "Whenever we go out, kids' play area is a priority."

Tanu Sharma, mother to two-year-old Himang, also feels the pinch of less time for socialising. "With a baby one tends to get busy 24X7. But its not like she has bid adieu to their friend circle. "But yes, now we meet them less," says Tanu. "It's more of socialising with family that happens now," she adds. Apart from that, it's even shopping that has undergone a change, "Earlier we would go out shopping for ourselves, now we go to stores that cater to Himang's shopping list first."

Well, each coin has two sides, better concentrate on joys of parenthood during this 'no socialising' time gap!

mona@tribunemail.com

Renee Writes
at lifestyletribune@gmail.com or Life Style, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chd

Love yourself

I am 24-year-old and recovering from anorexia. I am attractive but am simply obsessive with my weight. I have a weighing scale next to my bed and even if I see an ounce more than what I want, I start starving myself. I have been to the doctor's many times, and fainted on and off. I feel extremely low on energy and working 9-5 is a real chore. I understand that I must eat well for health but each time I eat, I go into a state of depression thinking of how would I look if I were fat. Please help.

Ritika Mohan Panchkula

You come across as an intelligent and sensitive girl, so why are you doing this to yourself? Learn to love yourself. Perhaps you might have been listening to too many people with weight issues and have developed this problem. Remember it is your thoughts that are creating this experience for you. You are responsible for the way you are treating yourself. You need the energy to deal with life. Yes, being slim is important but not at the cost of your mental and physical well being. Take charge, you shall be fine.

Wait for a while

My girlfriend and I want to get married, but things are really not working for us. I am 24 and she is 26. I have just finished my studies and looking for a job. She is a small time TV actor. My parents are against the idea of our marriage as they feel I am too young. They say I should wait for at least two years till I am settled professionally. I get insecure that my girlfriend might find someone else. How do I convince my parents, I do not want to disappoint them either. Please guide.

Navchetan Vasudev, Mohali

I don't want to discourage you from your honourable intentions, but I do feel that in this case your parents are right. I feel it is important that you should have a steady income if you want to support a wife. And what is this about being insecure about her? Frankly if she loves you and cares for you such thoughts should not even be entering your mind. Relationships are about understanding and trust I am sure she can wait for a while for marriage if she cares for you. Meantime spare no stone unturned to look for a good job. And settle down to blissful matrimony once you are settled in every other way. Believe me most people at your age rush into things and regret later. So just take it easy. This way you'll not even hurt your parents and also be more secure. Ask for the blessings of the almighty that will help you.

Be patient

I have been married for three years and we have a month-old girl. I am a pilot in a domestic airlines. I have taken leave to spend time with my wife and kid. But ever since I'm here, my wife is irritable. I know we didn't have the greatest of romance but I thought that she would at least be happy with the baby. But things are worse. She finds fault with every little thing I do and gets agitated if I cuddle my little baby. Her mother thinks that she is stressed, as she is a young mother. I have seen many of my friends having kids and they all seem to be dealing with it pretty well. How do I go about making things better?

Atul Kataria, Chandigarh

I am glad you are giving your problems enough thought. Actually from what I can gather from your letter, your wife is perhaps going through a postnatal depression. The stress of having a baby does take a toll on women. Some of it is due to hormonal changes and the rest can also be attributed to the dramatic change of lifestyle and also a certain level of responsibility, which the mother has to deal with. I would suggest that you use the utmost amount of patience with her at this juncture in life. Rest assured she will appreciate you for this. Make her feel loved, appreciated and pampered. I think every woman deserves it after going through the challenging experience of childbirth. Bringing up kids is a serious business and being on the threshold of this whole new feeling definitely makes one stressful. Do not worry, handle the situation with care and gentleness and I'm sure things will turn out in your favour.

Secret love

One in every 5 adults has a secret love, a new UK research has revealed. One in five of all adults have confessed they are in love with someone other than their current partner.

About five million Britons harbour amorous thoughts for another person despite already being married or cohabiting, according to the study.

And the detested partner probably already knows the love interest of their loved-one, because the tempter or temptress is most likely to be a close friend, a work colleague or an old flame.

According to market researchers firm OnePoll.com, if a couple stays together for three years and three months, they are probably in the clear because this is the maximum amount of time most feelings for other people last.

The research questioned 3,000 people online and concluded that one in six people had had a long-term affair. One in every 25 people had been in love with someone else for more than five years.

One in every 50 people had loved some- one other than their partner for as long as they could remember. Men were the worst culprits, with 22 per cent admitting a secret love, compared with 15 per cent of women.

"Even in a happy relationship, it's possible to have a wandering eye or crave affection from another," A spokesman from OnePoll.com said.

"For those who can't control their lust, this usually leads to an affair and potentially the start of a marriage or relationship breakdown," he added. — ANI

Virtual you

Avatars can portray a very lifelike and accurate depiction of a person's true personality, within the virtual world, according to a new study. Dr. H. Onur Bodur of Concordia University and his colleagues used the sophisticated avatar-based community Second Life as their model for the study, which has its own economy and facilitates real-money transactions.

The membership of Second Life has increased more than 20 fold between 2006 and 2009 to reach 15 million, and many real-world companies (e.g., Adidas, American Apparel, Dell, Nike, and Toyota) have appeared in Second Life.

Members of the community use particular avatar traits or visual cues, such as attractiveness, gender, stylish hair, or expression ('babyfaceness' is associated with cooperation), to form impressions or opinions about the human behind the avatar.

The researchers argue that well-known psychological principles such as Social Response Theory (SRT) and anthropomorphism come into play at this stage of discovery and discernment.

Bodur's study finds that these impressions, based solely on fairly limited or superficial traits of the avatar, may accurately match the true personality of the real person behind the avatar.

According to Dr. Bodur: "This research, which aligns with other research that says that accurate impressions can be formed through access to very limited information, such as images of someone's dorm room, work space, or website. This and future research can show whether online presentations of consumers (e.g., avatars) can be used to identify and segment consumers." — ANI

BOND WAGON
Dream run

(Sahil and Rashmeet Kapoor)

Relationship: Husband and wife

Time together: A year in marriage backed by 10 years of committed courtship.

Same-to-same: Fashionable, party-freaks, optimistic, caring and romantic.

Yet different: Rashmeet loves reading fiction while Sahil cannot stand any books. Rashmeet cares for a neat and clean home, Sahil feels comfortable in his messy den.

Unforgettable moments: The day when after ten years of struggle our families agreed to our wedding. It was a time when I felt as if all the happiness in the world had fallen in my lap. – Rashmeet

On a trip to Goa, I went for jet skiing and got a little late while returning. When I came back, her eyes were filled with tears out of concern for me. That moment made me feel so loved and cared for. – Sahil

Funny takes: We missed our flight on purpose while returning home from our honeymoon. Sahil was making excuses to our families on phone while I was giggling all the time. –Rashmeet

Wishful thinking: I wish Sahil remains my life partner for the next seven births. – Rashmeet

I wish to celebrate our golden anniversary sailing in our yacht in the backwaters of Mediterranean Sea. – Sahil

(Sahil owns a consultancy business while Rashmeet assists him)

If you want to feature here, please email at lifestyletribune@gmail.com or mail at Bond Wagon, Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh, along with a photograph and contact number.

So much action!

Akshay Kumar seems to be going ga ga over his Action Replay co-star Aishwarya Rai’s looks and says the 36-year-old manages to look 21 despite the efforts of make-up artists to make her look 50.

“I am now sitting in my van being tortured by my make-up artists to look like an old haggard man in the stunning mountains of Manali. About to shoot the much awaited song with Ash (Aishwarya) who still looks 21 even when they try and make her look 50,” Akshay posted on micro-blogging site

Twitter. The actor says he hates make-up and he has to apply oodles of it for his role in the Vipul Shah film, a time travel comedy tale based in Mumbai of the 1950s. The actors require a retro look to be in tune with the theme of the film. “For the record, I hate make-up, so Vipul Shah you owe me a Bentley...can’t believe in three days Action Replay will be wrapped,” added Akshay. — IANS

Cheer leader

Deepika Padukone

She had vowed Cannes with her saree, but Bollywood beauty Deepika Padukone was seen in a all-together more glamorous avatar as she cheered on her favourite F1 team, ‘Force India’ at the British Grand Prix. Dressed in her team’s jersey and black shorts, the former model cut a striking figure as she cheered on from the paddock and posed alongside the pit girls.

“The energy and buzz of the place on race weekend is something else. I am here to cheer for Force India who have been my favourite,” said the actor in a press statement. The 24-year-old was cheering for the Force India Formula One team during the qualifying session and will be there to scream her lungs out during the British Grand Prix races. Force India’s Adrian Sutil and Tonio Liuzzi Adrian Sutil will start 11th and 15th on the grid. Deepika is not the only Bollywood star with a love of racing. Badshah Khan, ie Shah Rukh Khan, had created a stir when he attended the Malaysian Grand Prix, as he has a huge fan following in the country. — PTI

All for India

Jacqueline Fernandez

Sri Lankan actor Jacqueline Fernandez, who made her Bollywood debut with Aladin, says she is fascinated by big-fat Indian weddings and would love to attend one. “I am very much fascinated by the Indian weddings, I have not attended anyone so far, but I would love to attend one soon,” Jacqueline said.

The 26-year-old was in the Capital as the brand ambassador of wedding exhibition Shagunn that will take place Aug 21-22 at the Ashoka hotel. “Being part of a wedding exhibition like this, introduces to the whole fascination world of elaborated Indian weddings and what all goes behind the preparation,” she added. Looking pretty in a purple sari, the former Miss Sri Lanka, who teamed up with Riteish Deshmukh in Alladin and Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai, denied rumours that she was dating her co-star. “You know, it’s you people who cook up all these stories. Before the release of the movie, you will hear stories like this only. The co-stars dating each other, in our case same thing happened,” said Jacqueline.

But the rumours didn’t stop her from praising Riteish. “It is always comfortable to work with a co-star who is a friend first. So we share a comfort level. Apart from that he is a very wonderful person and a talented actor,” she said. Shagunn, a two-day wedding exhibition, will have collections showcased by designers like Adarsh Gill, Charu Parashar, Mandira Wirk, Varija Bajaj, Joy Mitra, Taniya Khanuja and Parul Grover. — IANS

SRK’s heart goes Waka Waka

‘Badshah of Bollywood’ Shah Rukh Khan is so smitten with Columbian pop sensation Shakira that he has sworn to be a fan all his life. The superstar met Shakira in South Africa during the just-concluded FIFA World Cup 2010 alongwith wife Gauri and kids Aryan, Suhana and has been in awe of the singer since then.

“Have never been more excited to meet a rockstar. the wife & daughter adore her...so do the father & son,” Khan tweeted about the Hips Don’t Lie singer.

“Gorgeous gracious & absolutely heartwarming shakira. was so nice to the kids we r fans for life (sic),” he added. The 44-year-old actor was so impressed with Shakira’s down-to-earth nature that he further wrote, “she was so humble & so real. thats why she is such a rockstar. said my name with a beautiful accent too.” Khan posted pictures of his family with the singer on his twitter account and also posted a tweet on Shakira’s page. “Thank you so much for your graciousness. You are a fabulous star. The kids think of me as a big hero now. May god bless you. Love, Srk,” Khan wrote. But all is not well with the actor as he is down with fever and cold. “Now off to some shooting. have to jump and hang...still a bit tired with the fever... but u gotta do wot u gotta do (sic),” the actor wrote. — PTI

Pre-wedding jitters

Vanessa Paradis

Johnny Depp’s girlfriend Vanessa Paradis admits she would not go for a grand traditional church wedding with the Hollywood superstar. The French singer, model and actor, who became a child star at 14 with the success of her single Joe le taxi, says the idea of a lavish public ceremony leaves her “terrified”.

“A conventional ceremony with lots of guests, a church full of flowers and huge amounts of money being spent is in no way appealing to me. I think I would find it more terrifying than anything else.”

The couple has been together since 1998 and have two children Lily-Rose, 11, and Jack, 8.She also admitted that the couple and kids hate to spend time apart from each other and feels that constant travelling helps the family stay together.

“We can’t be apart for long. The kids like it too. I hope it will make them broad-minded and open. As long as they have everything they need - which is a lot, about 40 bags - then we have as normal a life as possible,” she said.

In dire circumstances, the couple takes refuge of the modern technology and makes use of Internet video calling software Skype to keep in touch, when staying apart.However, Paradis admits she hates to say goodbye to her 47-year-old partner even though the facility of staying connected through Internet is available.

“Skype is OK but I wouldn’t want to do it every day. It’s bad enough hanging up a phone, but hanging up an image — I can’t do that,” she added. — PTI

Six children and a wedding

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

Actor Angelina Jolie has agreed to marry her long-term partner Brad Pitt, but says their wedding plans lie in the hands of their six children.

The 35-year-old admits they have talked about marriage, and explained: “I think it would be hard to say ‘no’ to the kids. They’re not asking. They are very aware nothing’s missing.”

She admits that they wish to have a bigger family. “We kind of joke about it because in the morning we’re so tired. And we always look at each other and wonder, ‘Are we ever gonna get sleep?’ Yet we still love the idea of having more children.”

Jolie, who is preparing for the release of her new movie Salt next month, says children were left unimpressed by the movie.

“They saw the trailer. Half of them were completely uninterested. Pax thought somebody was trying to hurt his mom. But I explained it was all fine. I think they’re very confused, to be honest. I don’t quite know what to think. Even the change of hair colour is confusing for them.” Jolie has previously been married to actors Billy Bob Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller. — IANS

In full bloom

In full Bloom Actor Orlando Bloom has received an honorary degree from the University of Kent in a ceremony at Britain’s Canterbury Cathedral. “It’s a really big deal. It’s an exciting day for me. I’m really honoured to be back in my home town. I have so many amazing memories of the Cathedral and Canterbury,” he said. “I have lived near the university so it’s like my playground. It’s a huge, huge honour and I feel chuffed, as does my mother - nobody more than my mother.” The 33-year-old star joined 340 other graduates, wearing a red gown and black mortarboard. Veteran actor David Suchet was also bestowed with the prestigious degree. Earlier, Orlando received a degree from London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama. — IANS

Politically correct

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan said he would not let political parties use the song Mahangai Dayan from his forthcoming film Peepli Live that takes a dig at the Government over inflation. “We will not lend the song to anyone for political use. This song is part of the story of the film and it will not be used in any kind of political campaign,” Aamir said during the music launch of the film.

The members of some opposition parties had approached the filmmaker to buy the rights of the song to use it as a tool against the government, given the recent flare up in prices of essential commodities. “We have made the film for audience. This song is part of the story of the film. The movie is about urban and rural divide that exists in India and inflation is a general issue,” Aamir said. Peepli Live is a satire on farmers’ suicides and subsequent media and political response. Directed by debutant Anusha Rizwi and featuring Raghuveer Yadav in a pivotal role, the film is scheduled to be released on August 13. — PTI

No reunion for Kate

Hollywood director Sam Mendes’ representative has dismissed reports the director is preparing to reconcile with estranged wife Kate Winslet, insisting there is ‘no truth’ to the speculation.

The couple announced in March that their seven-year marriage had come to an end earlier this year, but the split appeared to be amicable, with both of them stepping out in public with their children shortly after the news hit the headlines. Recent reports claimed the former couple was attempting to save its marriage with a romantic summer break.

But Mendes’ spokesperson has said that the claims are false, telling the website there is ‘no truth’ in the story. The pair is parents to six-year-old son Joe, while Winslet is mum to Mia Honey, her nine-year-old daughter from her first marriage to Jim Threapleton. — PTI

Show time

The Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi invites entries in painting, sculpture, graphics (printmaking), photography, drawing, multi-media, mix-media and installation for participation in its Annual Art Exhibition 2010 to be held in September this year.

There will be five awards of Rs 25,000 each for professional category and five awards of Rs 10,000 each for student category. Artists from Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali are eligible for participation in this exhibition.

The entry forms could be downloaded from the Akademi website www.lalitkalachandigarh.com and are also available at the Akademi office in State Library-34, Government College of Art-10 and Chandigarh College of Architecture-12.

Those who wish to participate but not compete, can enter in the ‘not for competition’ section. A jury consisting of eminent personalities from the field of art will be responsible for deciding the awards and also the art works for display in the exhibition. Submission of Entries between July 19 and 23 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Akademi office. — TNS