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."

That's precisely one thing that prompted him to take up Jhoota Hi Sahi, his latest movie where he plays Siddharth, a shy guy who lies to get the girl he loves. So, does he lie for love? "Who doesn't? Everybody lies for love, all the time. But I usually get caught," he says. Speaking more about his film, John is ready to break another barrier in his acting career by playing a geek. "It's a light movie, a romantic comedy where I play a character who is not really a outspoken, introvert person and has a fear of approaching women. So, he lies. It's my most commercial movie till date and I just love Abbas Tyrewala, so grabbed this chance of working with him," he says.

Call it professionalism or in-born trait, John makes the specky-guy look a hit without much effort. "Jhoota Hi Sahi has me playing Clark Kent, the opposite of Superman," he jokes. We take it as one, given the fact he already has two action flicks lined up where we will see his Superman side, "I am busy with Race 2 and a Nishikant Kamad movie which brings me back in action, literally (and so you see him a little beefed-up).” Professional and unpredictable; John is working hard to break his boundaries and also silence the critics, "I have been experimenting with each film. I am six-seven years old in the industry but still don't want to find a comfort zone, so I don't get stuck up. The idea is not to give up what your audience will appreciate about you." His other projects include Desi Boyz, another comedy and Dostana 2. So, we see him and Abhishek once again as a pair? "Of Course, he is my true life partner."

Don't get any ideas, now. But after giving a legitimate platform to openly discussing homosexuality in Dostana, John is comfortable with the idea this time. "I had shared with Karan that I felt like a piece of meat. But he told me to be unapologetic about my body. After all, films are a visual medium and if you got it, flaunt it." We like this one.

But he does agree that there is a lot of pressure to look good, even for men in the industry. "But I guess women take it too seriously." Sure, like we buy that one! "I don't like size zero," he takes another shot to convince us. Anyway, back to where we started, if not a pick up line then what? "A diamond. It's the safest thing to do to impress women."

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

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.

Meanwhile, Morea was all praise for the Navratra festival here and said he would appeal his colleagues in Bollywood to visit Vadodara city during the festival where thousands of people take part in garba wearing traditionald resses. — PTI

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.

"There are a lot of roles that are OK, but there's little that's really good, especially for someone my age. Sometimes you find out that something you really liked is going to someone 10 years younger. I find it heartening that Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock have been able to find and create amazing projects." — IANS

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.

"I wanted to write a heartfelt, honest book that would be a source of hope for others going through difficult times," Richards said. The memoir, which is currently untitled, is expected for release in July next year.

— PTI

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.

The as-yet-untitled film which will tell the story of Spector is in the early stages of development. — IANS

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.

"At this point I can only say that I have been contacted for Mission impossible 4 and I have said yes for the role," Anil said in a statement. — IANS

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.

"At the moment, I can run and I can fight on screen. But there will come a time when I no longer want to do that. That's when I'll step away from the Die Hard films."— IANS 

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. It shows that they are getting more serious," said a source.Later, the pair visited French Art gallery Marcelita L'Art et Le The in West Hollywood to socialise with pals. — PTI

Actor Eva Longoria Parker says she was cast in Desperate Housewives by creator of the show Marc Cherry because of her ‘selfish’ approach.

The actor who has played Gabrielle Solis on the comedy drama for seven seasons explained she arrived for her audition with Cherry without reading the entire script.

"Marc Cherry asked me, 'What did you think of the script?' So I said, 'You know, I didn't read the script, I just read my parts and I think she's fantastic.' And he said he knew I was Gaby. That I only read my part. He goes, 'Yep, there's our Gaby'," said Parker. — IANS

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

in Panchkula on the invitation of Haryana Cultural Affairs to perform at Mata Mansa Devi shrine.

The eighties were considered the golden period for ghazals. So what caused the downfall? "No music company is willing to cut ghazal albums on the plea that there are no takers among the new generation. In fact, the new generation is not at all exposed to the grandeur of ghazal or classical music. Every budding artist is infatuated with the glamour and financial rewards that reality shows promise. This tendency must be condemned."

However, everything is not so bleak. "There are takers for Hindi ghazals too, if my last four-hours long concert at Bhopal is anything to go by, claims Chandan.

Credited with 24 hit ghazal albums, playback in two TV serials Khali Haath, Phir Vohi Talaash and films like Halaat, Chandan's music lessons started under Ustad Moosa Khan. Originally from Murshidabad and then to Patna where he sang for radio progarmmes and baithaks before shifting to Delhi where Amaritvani company cut his first ghazal LP.

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,” shares Henrik.

Recipient of prestigious Golden Lion Award of the Venice Biennale (2006), on Sustainable Urban Development in China, Henrik says one should brace development as a friend. On the issue of ever-growing Chandigarh versus retaining the basic, Henrik says, “Cities are meant for development. Be it social, economic, cultural or academic. More and more people would come to cities, something one cannot change.” As for solutions, he suggests, “Let a few selected sectors be the testing ground. One can try making it a high-density, pedestrian friendly, mixed use and social integrator. The plans that are successful here can be used as a model.”

Another admirer of Le Corbusier, Tomaso Villa, an Italian architect working with Massimiliano Fuksas, one of the world’s most sought-after architects, Tomaso shares, “ The sheer volume and magnitude of work that Le Corbusier had done, puts him a league of his own. Computers have made our work much easier today. We just need to have half a plan, the rest computer helps you complete it. But what Corbusier did at that time without any machine help is indeed remarkable,” Toamso says.

On Chandigarh, Tomaso says, “The very straight crossings make Chandigarh unusual and in marked contrast with most of European cities.” A bike trip with Pradep K Bhagat only left him mesmerised. “I kept asking him where is the city centre and he said ‘this is it’. I haven’t seen such a green city centre ever.”

The Corbusier celebrations had a beautiful stage From Line To Design set by students made of string. The event brought some of the illustrious alumni of the college —Nawab Kasim Ali Khan, a graduate form CCA, with double masters from University of Columbia. This prince of Rampur shares, “I have had the best of the times here and keep looking at the slightest excuse to be here. It pleases me immensely that city is progressing academically, commercially and culturally.”

While the students made most of the exhibition and lectures by guest architects, it was principal Pardeep Bhagat’s lecture on Should Corb’s Chandigarh Welcome the Inevitable or Draw a Line that was received well by students and guests alike.

mona@tribunemail.com

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.

The participants -- families of alumni members and general public -- were given clues to reach their first and subsequent destinations. The participants were required to touch all the destinations and return to the college. The successful participant consuming the minimum time was declared the winner. The organisers had chosen a special day 10.10.10 to organise the event and they timed the start of the event at 10:10:10 am. 

As the families and teams assembled for the flag off they were given instructions to strictly follow the traffic rules besides ensuring that they signed at every check point set up by the organisers. After handing them over the clue sheet along with packed water bottles and salted snacks, the participants were timed at the point of departure and given a maximum of three hours to complete the treasure hunt. 

Ashu Vaid, who stood first, picked up an LCD as prize. A second position for Damanbir S Brar earned him a microwave oven and third placed Meenu Manchanda won a DVD player. Another prize was given to Rohini in recognition of her being adjudged the best lady participant. Each participant received a certificate. —TNS

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.

Nearly 500 pieces are on display. This includes necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, etc. Each piece is exclusive and one-of-its-kind. Gold Karat jewellery comes with a guarantee card certifying the authenticity of the piece and is BIS Hallmarked. The jewellery has been designed keeping the modern woman in mind. Average pricing is from Rs 20,000 to Rs 2 lakhs. The range is both contemporary (kundan and jarau pieces) and western (with precious and semi-precious stones).

Moving away from the regular designs found in the market the design team of Ritu & Shivani have created designs that will fulfil every craving of jewellery buyers in the city.

Gold and diamond jewellery is always rated on the counts of purity, quality and designs. By withstanding the tough standards applicable to precious jewellery in Europe and America the company has a proven track record of high standards of purity. As for the quality of workmanship and beauty of the jewellery, Gold Karat assures you that your quest for perfection ends here. The workmanship is in tune with the quality you always looked for but rarely found.

on till October 12
— TNS 

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 The review by researchers at the University of Western Australia revealed that the benefits of tea are largely due to the flavonoid content, antioxidant ingredients that counteract cardiovascular disease.

One cup of tea provides 150-200mg of flavonoids.

As far as the delivery of antioxidants is concerned, two cups of tea is equivalent to five portions of vegetables or two apples.

The review also found that the flavonoid content of black tea is equal to that of green tea. Almost 80 per cent of Britons are tea drinkers.

"There is now consistent data indicating that tea and tea flavonoids can enhance nitric oxide status and improve endothelial function, which may be at least partly responsible for benefits on cardiovascular health," the Daily Mail quoted Dr Jonathan Hodgson, co-author of the review, as saying.

Dr Catherine Hood from the industry-backed Tea Advisory Panel said: "Compared with US studies, the cardiovascular benefits of tea are particularly strong in European studies. This includes UK studies where most of the tea consumed is black.

"Plaques in the carotid artery (a marker of atherosclerosis) have been shown to be less common in both men and women who drink tea.

"Bearing in mind the number of studies, including human trials, data demonstrates that flavonoids in tea can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis.

"This review also highlights evidence from randomised controlled trials showing that tea consumption may improve the health of the inner lining of the blood vessels as well as evidence that tea may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and lower blood pressure.

"Adding milk to tea doesn't affect the absorption of flavonoids from tea, according to several human research trials. In addition, the antioxidant effects seen in our blood following tea consumption are similar whether or not milk is added." "Evidence is growing that three to four cups of black tea each day is good not only for general health, but also for cardiovascular health. Given the popularity of black tea in the UK, this is good news for those who enjoy regular cups of tea," she added.

The review is published in the science journal Molecular Aspects of Medicine. — ANI

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.

A recent study conducted by a London-based university reveals that crash diets to gain that slim figure could make one's bones porous. The research, which was conducted on 4,000 young girls (15 years), shows that fat mass plays an important role in building bones.

"Building strong bones at a young age is particularly important for women, as they are three times more likely to develop osteoporosis, and suffer up to three times more hip fractures than men," says the research. It has long been known that the amount of muscle in the body is related to bone growth, but this new study shows that fat mass is also important in building bones, particularly in girls.

Researchers point out that "zero size" is unhealthy and not many are aware of what it really implies.

Agreeing to this research, Dr Manuj Wadhwa, orthopedician at Fortis hospital, Mohali says, "Size zero refers to maintaining a slim figure. Do the right kind of exercise under the guidance of a certified trainer and have the right kind of food that helps you acquire a slim figure. Simply aping superstars and trying to be a size zero is something no sensible person will support."

Jon Tobias, professor of Rheumatology and leader of the research, has noted that "There is a good deal of pressure on teenage girls to be thin, but they need to be aware that this could endanger their developing skeleton and put them at increased risk of osteoporosis."

Researchers have also found that constant images of size zero models, pop stars and actresses fuelled a rise in eating disorder amongst young women. The craze for size zero was sparked by Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor, who reportedly lost eight kgs to acquire a bikini body for Tashan in 2007.

Many people think that exercise is the key to losing weight and building strong bones at the same time - but this may only be true up to a point. "If you do a good deal of low impact exercise, such as walking, you will certainly lose fat but you may not be able to put enough stress on the bones to build them significantly," says Dr Wadhwa. "To offset the detrimental effect of fat loss on your bones, it may be important to include high impact exercise as well, such as running or jumping," he added.

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