Anyone who has seen the ‘bad man’ in his prime would shudder at the thought of meeting him. Yet we dared, in an attempt to unmask the reel ‘bad man’ and know the real Gulshan Grover, who has made his mark not only in Bollywood, but also Hollywood and now in Punjabi cinema as well. And the experience only left us richer.

Unlike the reel portrayal, Gulshan Grover is much like a normal, regular Indian with a strong desire to succeed. A student of government school in the outskirts of Delhi, he got 93 per cent in his higher secondary and was one of three in his batch who got first class for the first time. Years later, he remembers the names of the other too — Dinesh Jain and Pradeep.

In fact, it’s people like his old classmates that he appreciates most in life. “Those who are giving their best in whatever they do,” in his words. And, what does he dislike? “We all project a little. But those who project themselves in complete opposition to what they are, is something I do not like,” says Grover.

A thorough gentleman, who stands up when a lady gets up, makes sure everyone present in room can hear him and photojournalists get a good view, he comes across as a very warm and rooted person. “When one is a celebrity, one owes a lot to the common people who have given you name, fame as well as money. One surely wants to give back something in return,” says Grover. And, he doesn’t give back only in terms memorable movies, but also through charities across the world. “I am more than eager to lend a hand to any society that is helping a cause without any political bearings,” he says with conviction.

Education is one thing that he strongly believes in. An M Com, Grover struggled hard for education. “I lived in the outskirts of Delhi, walked for 40 minutes, changed a few buses before I reached university. But then nothing deterred me from my desire to learn,” he shares.

Pained that even today students have to walk miles to get education, Grover is trying to do his bit. He was part of a march in Ahmedabad to advocate the right to education. Even his visit to the city was on the same lines. “I am so glad to be in Chandigarh for something I truly believe in,” says Grover, who is here to launch Mission Dil Se, an endeavour by the ICL Group of Colleges to transform latent talent of India into ‘Vibrant India’. “It was heartening to see ICL campus and the amazing projects put up by the students. My visit is to reaffirm my commitment to education, a vision that I share with Sanjeev Chadha (chairman, ICL group),” he avers.

As for reel life, his three films are ready for release. In Sixth River, Chhevan Dariya he plays a Punjab University professor who is not ready to join his grandson in the US because he believes that his duty lies in shaping up future of the country. In Kajrare, a Pooja Bhatt film, he portrays a sardar, head of Scotland Yard, and in Knock Out he plays a politician.

Summing up his filmy career for us, he says, “All the films have been milestones that only encouraged me to do better the next time.”

Extremely proud of his son Sanjay Grover who holds an office in Hollywood giant MGM studio, Grover shares, “When I started working in Hollywood, people were apprehensive, but we have come a long way since then. I am glad we have a true blue Bollywoood representative based right in Hollywood in Sanjay. We can find a lot of synergy, especially in technical areas.”

Not ready to buy that Hollywood typecasts Indians, he says, “I have not experienced it. Typecasts are sometimes in the narrative for the familiarity of the audience and that’s all.” His next Hollywood project? “It’s a secret. Will reveal it in a month’s time,” he smiles.

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Hotel heiress Paris Hilton got a shocking wake-up call when a man armed with two knives tried to break into her Hollywood mansion.The socialite was asleep at 6.30 am this morning and was awakened by the noise of the intruder banging on her window.Los Angeles Police Department rushed to the scene and arrested the man, who they later identified as Nathan Lee Parada.

He was subsequently booked on one count of felony burglary and is currently being held on $ 50,000 bail.Hilton tweeted a picture of the police at her home with Parada in handcuffs, with a message, "So scary, just got woken up to a guy trying to break into my house holding 2 big knifes. Cops are here arresting him." This isn't the first time Hilton has had a terrifying incident involving a knife.

The 29-year-old was forced to up her security after a stalker pretending to be her fiance turned up at her father's office carrying a knife. Hilton's representative released a statement saying, "Paris is naturally shaken by the events but is unharmed and well. She is very thankful to her security team and the police for their swift and diligent response." — PTI

Actor Kareena Kapoor is all praise for her beau Saif Ali Khan, with whom she is shooting for director Sriram Raghavan's Agent Vinod, and says she is lucky to have him in her life.

"Very few people get love in life and such a supportive partner. Of course, I am very lucky that I have got a partner like Saif. He is a very unique man. His thoughts are much different from others and he always encourages me to work," Kareena said.

She maintains that Saif is like a Hollywood actor, who is ignorant about what's happening around and enjoys his own world.

"Saif is mostly ignorant about what films are in the making or if I have signed any until I tell him about my upcoming projects. He is like a Hollywood actor who stays mostly in his own world. He wants to do certain films and produce movies like Hollywood star," said the actress who teamed up with him in Tashan. — IANS

Film: Hello Darling

Director: Manoj Tiwari

Producer: Subhash Ghai

Star Cast: Eesha Koppikhar Narang, Celina Jaitley, Gul Panag, Jaaved Jafferi, Seema Biswas, Divya Dutta

Director Manoj Tiwari's Hello Darling is touted as a complete entertainer in trade circles. It is not a sex comedy but it is about sexual harassment of working women. The film revolves around three beautiful working women, who teams up to take on their womanising boss. Pritam has composed the music. The film releases today at theatres in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Zirakpur.

Film: Aashayein

Director: Nagesh Kukunoor

Star Cast: John Abraham, Sonal Sehgal, Farida Jalal, Girish Karnad, Anahita Nair

Nagesh Kukunoor's much-delayed project Aashayein is an inspiring, bittersweet fable that reminds the audience that life is short and makes the best of it. It focuses on hopes and teaches us to live life today. Watch John Abraham in a different role in this film, which opens today at theatres near you. — Dharam Pal

Celina Jaitley was honoured at the Cario International Film Festival for Love Has No Language last year. She played a grey shade character in Accident On Hill Road for the first time in her career. And her success story seems to continue in 2010 too. She is excited on the release of her new film Hello Darling produced by Subhas Ghai and directed by Manoj Tiwari. Celina talks to Lifestyle about the role she plays in the film that also has Eesha Koppikhar Narang, Gul Panag, Jaaved Jafferi, Divya Dutta and Seema Biswas in the star cast.

What's your role in Hello Darling?

I play Candy, personal assistant to Hardik (Jaaved Jafferi). It is a very challenging role. I feel every actor should dabble in different kind or roles. It is one such attempt from my side.

What prompted you to take up this film?

The fact that it was a complete light comedy about three girls teaming up to teach a lesson to their womanising boss, the manner in which director Manoj Tiwari narrated the story.

How was Manoj Tiwari as a director?

Manoj is a talented director who has shot most of the film in a specially-erected office at Subhas Ghai's Whistling Woods International in Mumbai. It was a good experience working with him.

Your career has taken an unconventional path. Was that planned?

I choose work that sets me apart. There is no point doing work that is going to typecast you with other people.

Are you looking out for hardcore commercial roles?

My mantra is very simple. I want to do roles that keeps reminding viewers that I am a good actor.

Your forthcoming releases?

Run Bhola Run is a romantic comedy. It is a good entertaining film. Showman Chai Garam and a Kannada film Shrimati are my other projects. I am also doing Quest of Scheherezade a prequel to Arabian Knights that stars Sean Connery and Orlando Bloom. — Dharam Pal

Sartaj Pannu with Iris Maitey

The film started with a meagre $400, but raised $100,000 through YouTube. "My friends in US took to marketing the film and Golden Globe Creations will release it in USA. There was a special screening for a few journalists as well. Producers there couldn't believe it started with just $400." Invited is Richard Gere as a special audience for an exclusive screening. Moving on, it remains the first film to get screened at Paramount Pictures Raleigh Theatre in Los Angeles, US.

Model moves

Winning Channel's V Get Gorgeous 5 was just an excuse for the detour from MBA to modelling. Iris Maity who co-stars in 'Soch Lo' shares some quick bites and tit-bits. "It was my first-ever experience in modelling," before which the girl was working as "assistant manager in a bank." She draws the parallel between the fields. "Even a masters in business administration is all about marketing and managing people…being at the right place at the right time." Thrown in is a Miss India Tourism tag and right now it's ramp and shows. "I'm a ramp model, currently it's doing a lot of them and also the upcoming Wills India Fashion Week. I'm going through a roller coaster ride. As a person I'm different from what I'm getting to play."

Nevertheless, she isn't extemporaneously ready for just about any song dance sequences, as she "doesn't want to jump into acting." She adds, "I'm a person who runs behind creativity…in the movie, I play a girl next door…the film revolves around society and how everyone has a past and wants to get into a proper, stable relationship."

'Think about it'!

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Just when everyone around was talking about 'how youngsters are losing their sense of direction', with traffic and life in general, we met up with a 22-year-old who has her focus absolutely clear. She finds passion outside the thumping music and jarring lights of discotheques. Devika Pasricha has restored an old property in Mussorie and converted in into a heritage place for tourists to enjoy, locals to be proud of!

Her story is short and sweet. A make-up artist who came back to India with some 'entrepreneurship' plans. After a lot of research, this young girl finally found her answer… in the property that her parents had purchased when she was a kid. "My family had purchased this property when I was a kid. The place was absolutely in ruins. Around six-seven years back I tracked the records of this property and found that it has a historical background. After consulting local historians like Ruskin Bond, we tried to restore the estate into a heritage place - 'Ilbert Manor'," she says with a confident smile. Now, the 170-year-old luxury heritage hotel - still called Ilbert Manor - has been redone with 17 lavish rooms, with multi-cuisine gourmet and state-of-the-art services in the offing.

Restoration work is a quiet a task in itself, and why convert a place into a heritage luxury place? Do we hear the ting of moolah! Laughs Devika, "On the contrary whatever money we earn from this hotel, goes back in the restoration pool because this work requires a lot of money. Besides, why not convert something in ruins to a more meaningful stuff, which locals can also be proud of."

The Manor was first started in 1840 by an Irishman and was later maintained by Sir Courtenay Ilbert, known for the famous Ilbert Bill. Adds Devika, who completed her spa management course from University of Arts, London College of Fashion, before moving to India, "We have deliberately named our rooms. My main emphasis is on the quality and services offered by the Manor. The services begin with the complimentary pick-up from the Mall. Our facilities also include a well-stocked library and DVD collection, spa, indoor games and 24-hour wifi. Other than this, we assist our guests in organising treks, walks, cycling routes, river rafting and other outdoor activities. Ilbert Manor is a heaven for people interested in photography; we have a three-side view of the snowcapped Himalayan range."

Maintaining a property like this for a 22-year-old is sure a Herculean task. "Sure it is," says Devika, "but this is my passion and I like investing my time and energy in it. I also feel people in various cities like Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and elsewhere, understand the importance of 'heritage' and would want to get a taste of it."jasmine@tribunemail.com

One college, one colour, one design…one for all and all for one! No, this is not the adopted election tagline on campus nor is it some inspirational opening to a speech. It's just a way to describe the reason behind Jaskaran Singh Arora's attempt to simplify college fashion, while getting an identity for the college as well.

With his Campus Bees edition of tees under the brand Madfish, he is trying to give tricity students an opportunity to wear something they hold great pride in - their college. "The idea is to build a uniform identity amongst students of a college. The designs and colours have been finalised after giving careful consideration to the trends prevalent in that particular college. The attitude of the people there, basically the atmosphere in that college,” says Jaskaran, a fresh pass-out from UIET and an entrepreneur.

Providing complete product in form of casual, trendy t-shirts, Jaskaran plans to cover GCG, DAV College, Punjabi University, Patiala, SD College, PEC, CCET, among others. " The designs are simple, with just a hint of humour that defines your attitude as well. Also, its USP is the eco-friendly balance," he briefs. Mind it, no repeats! Given the fact that its tagline reads - Hug life. "All our fabrics are dyed in the most eco-friendly manner using only organic and azo-free dyes. We use cotton, treated through three chemical procedures - bio-washing, silicon washing and hydrophilic softening, for better seat absorbency and its feel and fall to keep you looking good all day long."

Even the packaging is impressive with a 'green effect', adopting the A2P concept (Advantage to environment). "Each t-shirt comes packed in a jute bag that depicts our honest concern for mother earth. These are designed in a manner that they can be reused, and are attractive to carry as well," Jaskaran adds.

And since it is for the students, by a student, you don't have to burn a hole in your pocket as they are priced comfortably at Rs 299 only." Now that's a steal!

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We visited the Cascade Brewery in Hobart, Tasmania. Degraves and his partner Mackintosh, 'the Boys', came to Australia in 1824, the former to escape England, where he owed money to people and could not pay up. The aim was to find a good source of water and set up a sawmill. The Boys approached the government and were allotted acreage under the shadow of Mt Wellington, which provided plenty of icy, pure water from it's winter snows. They were even contracted 20 criminals to help set up the facility. Two years into the business, British law caught up with Degraves and he was imprisoned for five years. Mackintosh continued to work on the property and finally paid his partner's dues and had him released too. The next step was a switch from wood to the Cascade Brewery, which never looked back. Today it is a part of Carlton and Fosters beers.

A lot of people look down upon the Australians for having a criminal ancestry and for being a young nation without any history. If we judge people by their past, then the USA and Down Under cannot be considered. But their current standards of living and quotients of contentment are enviable. Their governments go out of their way to look after their citizens and make their lives as comfortable and healthy as possible. That is what any democracy ought to aim for. A man ought to be judged not by what he possesses but what he is. However, without the basic amenities, we cannot look beyond ourselves to become contributing members of a larger community. The criminals of 400 years ago have no pretensions whatsoever. They have worked hard and created new lives from scratch. Because they have a roof overhead, food on the table and education for their children, the crime rates are minimal. Even a person on the dole can afford a car, fridge, clothes and dishwashers, a home and basic electric appliances. The state helps bring up his children and give all medical care. In return they make their citizens work at various community and town jobs suitable to their physical condition. A study shows that in Victoria alone, all crimes have dropped by 3 to 4 per cent. Better policing and satisfied families do not rob, break into homes or murder people. They do not need to. Yes, crimes of passion are on the increase, but that is another story.

Trust, respect and space, are the key words Down Under. An Aussie trusts you to keep your word. He never expects you to lie or go back on a commitment. In rural areas, you never lock your doors. At farm gates, there are bins full of fruits and vegetables. You take what you want and leave the cash in a biscuit tin. At a paying guest facility you find home-made jams, painted crockery, paintings, linen and cards for sale. You pay and take whatever you want.

This is an easy, joyous, friendly nation with a great sense of humour. It does not whine or complain but carries on it's day to day work guided by the norms and values of the community. It expects accountability from its elected government and in turn recognises it's own responsibilities towards fellow beings. Perhaps, many of us have some lessons to learn from this young, 'criminal' nation. 

Professor Mohan Maitrey's 20th book - Himachal - Prakritik Aur Sanskritik Paryatan - was recently released by Chief Minister of Himachal Pardesh Prem Kumar Dhumal. Even at the age of 78, Maitrey maintains his flair for expression and keen eye.

With literary works like Punjab Ka Parvtiya Sahitya, Uttar Bharat Ke Nritya, Chhand Prichaye, Punjab Lok Sanskriti, Patiala Sanskrit Virasat et al to his credit, Maitrey an authority on regional cultures of north India. Former principal at various postgraduate colleges, Maitrey has also held posts like assistant director, cultural affairs and legal services, deputy director education (colleges), Punjab, besides heading the bureau of a leading Hindi daily at Jaipur.

"In this book, I have attempted to document the natural and cultural aspects of Himachal - folk music, dance, paintings, royal forts, lakes and festivals," he shares.

On the contemporary art and literary scene, he opines that it is caught between the western impact and the indigenous influences. "It is something like the old ethical perception of Kul-Sheel where Kul stands for what we inherit from ancestors (traditional) and Sheel is what we acquire in the present (modern)," he says.

He rues that despite a virtual flood of books, especially poetry books, the magical brilliance of themes and words is missing today. "Every budding poet should have a guide to give him proper direction. Nowadays, poetry is more in the open verse format. Moreover, neither the reader nor the affluent writer are serious about the quality of the verses," he adds.

The tradition of the intricate, vibrant and exquisite glass paintings date back to the rich legacy of the Europeans and North Americans during the fifteenth and eighteenth century adorning the churches and cathedrals which bear the testimony of the same. However, this rich art form gained prominence in India recently bracketing it with other forms of contemporary art.

The roots of this art form can be traced to the the royal interiors of the Maharajas of Tanjore which later spread to Gujarat in the eighteenth century where it gained its true worth when traditional jewellery designers took it up, capturing the most sought-after theme of mythological love stories of Radha and Krishna, coloring and decorating these awesome stained glass pieces with a dignified gold lining and embellishments of precious and semi-precious stones.

Indian glass art showcases a variety of artifacts, ranging from cosmetic doors, windows, table tops, mirrors, murals, lamps and many more, carving a niche for itself in various antiquities of interiors and architectural designs. It depicts a wide number traditional Indian themes, centering around culture, religion, mythology, flora and fauna to the more exuberant and posh Victorian style.

Painting on glass is a cumbersome and tedious procedure and involves making of a clearly demarcated drawing, which acts as a template, according to which the glass is further designed and cut. After which smooth and precise brush strokes are applied meticulously with vibrant and striking combinations, ranging from metallic to water, vinegar, matt and oil bases, coating the left over vacant space with mercury, which creates a mirror like back drop, thereby providing an enigmatic jewel like illusionary ambience between the viewer and the piece of Art. This surely requires a synergistic coordination between the visual, spatial and aesthetic skill and temperament of its creator.

As time went by, due to the modern creative innovations with various colours, textures, mediums, designs and patterns, artists of today are being able to showcase a variety of expressive, sublime and mind blowing themes which makes this art all the more versatile, gaining popularity in virtually all walks of life.

Over 100 artworks by modern masters S H Raza, F N Souza and M F Husain alongside big names in contemporary art like Subodh Gupta, Rashid Rana and Atul Dodiya will feature in a sale at Christie's next month and are expected to realise in excess of $ 10 million.

On September 15, Christie's South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art auction will include these carefully selected works from leading 20th and 21st century South Asian artists.

Raza's magnificent La Terre, 1985, (estimate: $ 2,000,000-2,500,000) leads the sale. Another highlight is Souza's Untitled (Large Head), 1962 (estimate: $ 1,200,000-1,800,000). Husain's Untitled (sitar player) (estimate: $ 350,000-500,000) reflects the enormous inspiration the artist draws from the inter-disciplinary nature of music, sculpture, dance, painting and film.

The auction features a remarkable selection of contemporary art from the region and Gupta's Two Cows (estimate: $ 280,000-350,000) is one of the major highlights in the sale. Densely Packed, 2004 (estimate: $ 250,000-300,000) is another featured work by Gupta.

Additional highlights will include Anju Dodiya's Garden of Capillaries, 2005 (estimate: $ 80,000-120,000); Manjit Bawa's Untitled (Durga) (estimate: $ 200,000 - 250,000); and TV Santhosh's Scars of an Ancient Error, 2006 (estimate: USD 100,000 - 150,000). — PTI