Johnny came lately…
…and sprung quite a few surprises about himself and his approach to life and acting
This one comes straight out of your dreams. If you happen to meet John Abraham, what pick up line would you choose for him? Thinking…still thinking… Here's an advice from the actor himself, "I don't like pick up lines." Well, for someone who qualifies by all standards to be 'picked up', this comes as a surprise. And so, obviously he doesn't have any favourites here. So, how does the industry's most handsome dude score with women? (Not that he has to make an effort). "I am actually very shy when it comes to approaching women," says the hunk. No, Bips has nothing to do with it. "I believe most Indian men are that way, given our culture. But it also depends on what you say."
Photos: S Chandan

Rising from the ash
Fashion designer Rohit Bal has showcased his latest creations, based on the Persian work 'Khakastri', at the HDIL India Couture Week 2010 in Mumbai. 'Khakastri', which means colour of ash, had colour tones like beige, white, earthy browns, black, maroon and electric blue. Bollywood actors Vivek Oberoi and Arjun Rampal were present on the occasion.

Act 3
Actor Dino Morea is planning to get into movie making and has started working on the cast. Morea said, "After acting in several films, I have decided to be a producer. I am planning to make a Hindi film which will be a romantic one and casts for which are being finalised."He said he expects to start its production from January" but did not elaborate.


Dino Morea

Perfect blend

Charu Parashar, Mahie Gill & Archana Kochchar promise five days of fashion and glamour at Ludhiana. Report on page 3.

Sex appeal?
Hollywood actor Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed that she was asked for sex in return for a role in a film when she began her acting career. The Oscar-winning star was left stunned when an unnamed guy suggested they should conclude their meeting in 'the bedroom', an offer she refused. "When I was just starting out, someone suggested that we finish a meeting in the bedroom. I was pretty shocked," she said. The 38-year-old is also dejected by the lack of variety in the roles she is offered.

Bonding with words
Former Bond Girl Denise Richards is writing an autobiography, as she wants to share the story of her rise to fame with her fans. The 39-year-old actor will tell all about her journey from a small town in Illinois to Hollywood, her tumultuous marriage and divorce from Charlie Sheen and life as a single mum to her daughters with the actor. And Richards is hoping her story will inspire others caught up in trying situations.

Al right!
Hollywood legend Al Pacino is reportedly set to star as notorious record producer Phil Spector in a TV film to be written and directed by David Mamet. Spector, who is famously obsessed with guns, is serving a prison sentence of 19 years to life for the 2003 murder of actor Lana Clarkson. He was found guilty of second degree murder in 2009 after two trials lasting more than 10 months.


Al Pacino

Mission possible
It's Hollywood calling for Anil Kapoor. The Indian actor has been signed to essay an important role in one of the biggest film series of Hollywood, Mission Impossible. Anil landed in multiple Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire following which he got a major role in 24, one of the most watched television series in the US. He will now be seen in Mission Impossible 4 alongside Hollywood's top actors Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg. 

Something to Die for
Hollywood actor Bruce Willis, who is currently filming his fifth film, says he is concerned that he may be replaced in the Die Hard franchise. "In the next few years they could easily find a replacement for me or call the character someone else. But for me, I want to do Die Hard 5, then one final Die Hard movie - Die Hard 6 - before finally hanging that white vest up for good," a website quoted him as saying.

Berry cozy
Hollywood star Halle Berry has reportedly taken her rumoured romance with Olivier Martinez a step further by introducing the French actor to her mother.The Oscar-winning actor has been spotted cuddling up to the Unfaithful star during breaks from filming their movie Dark Tide in Europe, and now she's taking their rumoured relationship to the next level. Berry and Martinez were reunited in Los Angeles on Thursday after a week apart and she took Martinez to meet her mother, Judith."It was a big deal that Olivier got to meet Halle's mom.



Halle Berry

Moving on
Prince Harry seems to have got over his split from Chlesy Davy. The third-in-line to the British throne is said to be now dating a stunning blonde, an uncanny lookalike of his former girlfriend.

Desperate move
Actor Eva Longoria Parker says she was cast in Desperate Housewives by creator of the show Marc Cherry because of her ‘selfish’ approach. The 26-year-old Royal has, in fact, been on a series of dates with marketing girl Gemma Wilkinson and has told friends he "couldn't be happier." A source close to Gemma, also 26, was quoted by the British tabloid as saying, "She's very similar in looks to Chelsy and Harry loves a blonde." Harry and Gemma have been on the same social circuit in London for some years now and recently got it together after being introduced by mutual friends.

Eva Longoria Parker

Perfect blend
It's a tangent to the Chandigarh Fashion Week, will inevitably get compared to it, perhaps carry forward the similar pros and cons but nevertheless promises to be the bigger, better and colourful version, an exclusive of the Land of Five Rivers. What with city girl, Bollywood actor Mahie Gill at Bella Vista passing on the message loud and clear, "You ask me questions in Hindi, you ask me questions in English but I'm going to answer only in Punjabi," and thereby pronouncing the arrival of Blenders Pride Punjab International Fashion Week.

Reviving note
With the delicacy, fineness of feeling of the ornate poetry lying at its heart and adorned with soulful soothing music, ghazal uplifts the soul of a listener sky high which only accounts for its popularity through the ages, from the periods of Mir, Ghalib to Nida Fazli and contemporary times," maintains ghazal maestro Chandan Das. "But it is shocking that despite a spurt of TV Channels beaming news, devotional, preaching, there is not even a single channel for ghazals, folk and Indian classical music," rues Das, who is

Drawing the line
As an architect, I have studied Le Corbusier and Chandigarh but seeing this city has left me awestruck,” says Henrik Valeur, a Danish architect, critic, curator, thinker and writer. In the city to be part of Le Corbusier Day celebrations at Chandigarh College of Architecture-12 on Saturday, Henrik cannot get over the way the city enjoys perfect harmony between the concrete and ecology. “I have nowhere seen anything as beautiful as this. The only city I can compare Chandigarh with probably Brasilia, capital of Brazil. Both are logical, modern capitals but the greenery that Chandigarh is missing from Brasilia.”
L-R: Henrik Valeur & Tomaso Villa

Spice up
Beauty basics
During the various marriage functions, a lot of make-up is used and special care is needed to keep the skin looking fresh and problem-free. Also, with the late nights and festivities, there can be fatigue, which reflects on the eyes and skin. Special care and attention helps. Cleansing of the skin assumes more importance, in order to remove make-up and other impurities. Nighttime cleansing is an absolute must. Some make-up cosmetics, especially foundations, can have an effect on the skin. They not only cause dryness of the skin, but actually disrupt the normal acid-alkaline balance of the skin.

Joy ride
Fun, frolic and excitement was the order of the day as more than 200 enthusiasts participated in the first edition of the Treasure Hunt organised by the GGDSD College Alumni Association, Chandigarh (SDAAC) on Sunday. An impressive holiday crowd cheered as the event, which began with a lamp-lighting ceremony by the college principal AC Vaid, was flag off from the college premises in the morning hours.

Jewel deal
A brand new festive collection of Gold & Diamond jewellery Indulgence of the Senses by renowned jewellery designers from Delhi Ritu Modi and Shivani Modi is being exhibited at Hotel Peninsula, Sector 8, Panchkula.

Green vs red
Celebs turning vegetarian is not so uncommon, but there is now a reverse trend with Angelina Jolie leading the pack
Replace chicken streaks with cheese ones. Sip healthy vegetable soup instead of chicken broth. Prefer soya and milk products to red meat. The world listens when celebs like Pamela Andersan, Megan Fox, Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor and her ex-beau Shahid Kapoor spread the message urging us to turn vegetarian.
Nethra Raghuraman

Cup of good health
Just three cups of tea in a day are enough to protect you against heart attacks and stroke, claim researchers. A new review has demonstrated that regular drinking of either black or green tea can reduce the risk of heart problems by 11 per cent. It cuts the build-up of plaque in the arteries - a combination of dangerous fat and cholesterol. In terms of the delivery of antioxidants, two cups of tea is equivalent to five portions of vegetables or two apples.

Advantage zero
The craze of being size zero may push young girls to go on crash diets but the truth is that in their pursuit of having that erstwhile Kareena figure, they could be actually playing havoc with their body structures and sowing seeds for osteoporosis, a bone disease.

BODY wise
You can work it out
Everyone these days knows the importance of keeping fit. We are constantly bombarded with information regarding the benefits of exercise and nutrition. And most of us do make an initial effort but soon get off the track. People start strong with an exercise programme, and then within a few weeks they have an excuse for not being there. Only one-third of those who begin an exercise programme will still be exercising by the end of their first year. But don't get de-motivated. The good news is that with some planning, one can beat the dropout odds. Here are some tips that will help you stay motivated and will also help you to keep the thrill in your workout programme.