They say cinema is not an art that films life; cinema is something between art and life. Believing the same, director and producer Nabhh Kumar, in the city for the screening of a short film, Therefore I win, directed by Sandeep Kapoor, says, “Cinema is passion and unlike painting and literature, it both gives to life and takes from it.”

Having started his career with Rajshri productions, Nabhh Kumar learnt the nuances of cinema under Sooraj R. Barajatya and assisted the ace director in movies like Maine Pyaar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. Moving on, he co-directed the movie Pyaar Kiya To Darna kya and then ventured for his directorial debut with ‘Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain, starring Govinda, Urmila, Paresh Rawal and Dimple Kapadia; Chot starring Ashutosh Rana and Sharad Kapoor, a semi-art, hard-hitting motion picture based on regional discrimination of North Indians by extremist groups of Marathis.

Talking about his career, he says, “So far the journey has been fruitful. I have got what I wanted to. I started as a co-director and today I have launched my own production company, Holy River Entertainment.”

Now aiming to produce visual content like serials, films, short films, documentaries etc, he adds, “Under the banner Holy River Entertainment I have already announced an untitled film, which would revolve around the idea of two mindsets in our own country.”

A Haryanvi, since the last three years he was a consultant to the Haryana government for their upcoming film-making university called S.I.F.T. “Having started my career with a production house that is grounded to culture, I too strongly believe in traditions and culture. And this was my sole reason to get involved in a film-making institute that belongs to my state,” says Nabhh. He adds, “My production house too will encourage people from a particular state. In fact, I would take the whole crew from a single state so that the film has a distinct flavour of a particular state.”

Having directed music videos and television serials like Kahani Ghar Ghar ki, Kausauti Zindagi Ki, Kasam Se, Kasturi etc for Balaji telefilms what made him shift from 70 mm to the small screen? “Life is about learning and as a director one should know it all. I wanted to get a feel of directing television serials and after doing soaps, I have realised the value of time because for television serials the clock is always ticking.”

And what’s in store? “I have an upcoming film Hit List. This is the first-of-its-kind reality film that is shot with real criminals as lead actors. Then I have a comedy, ‘Hurry up, maya mil gayi (by Radhe Krishna production house), where we have cricketer Sandeep Patil’s son Chirag Patil and Divya, Miss New Zealand as lead actors.”

Carry a bicycle for a certain amount of length; 20 kilometres for instance, amidst unfavourable terrain, snow and storm and then alternate it with biking for yet another certain amount of length and go back to carrying the bicycle on your back…it’s a chain alternative between the rough and the rocky, the tough and the tricky!

If you survive, that’s a fraction of the difficulties; one seventh to be precise! “That’s the description of bike and hike stage, one out of the seven and yesterday’s race was cancelled due to unfavourable conditions,” Kanika Sood, marketing head of the Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association, gives the update on the ongoing international terrain biking event starting October 23.

“It’s a parallel event to the Raid De Himalaya, spread over six days. We’ll be following all international standards, including proper course and route, facilities for bikers according to the norms, etc. Only professional riders are allowed and need to qualify for the event, we’ll be giving time cards to the riders as well,” she elaborates on the sixth edition of the Hercules Mountain Terrain Biking.

There are 70 participants checking in from India, Nepal, the Netherlands, Sweden, UK and US for the event flagged off from the Ridge, Shimla. “They’ll be coming back to Shimla after a total journey of 500 kms spread all through the terrains of Himachal. As of now, two Nepalese and one person from the Indian Army are leading the trail.”

The climate and its conditions might not be in place but the back-up plans sure are. “For every 10 riders, we have a security crew, there are eight Scorpio jeeps on duty. The event organisers have fully equipped communication sets.” Despite similar events dotting the calendar, scattered through the states, there’s no denying the apparent - mountain biking is yet to become a cult. “It hasn’t yet quite taken off because it’s at an initial stage. In eastern Europe, it’s a culture because they’ve got the best trails.”

Pitched into the schedule is an artistic and eco-friendly initiative. “These have been included for the first time. In photo quest, there will be 15 selected photographers accompanying the bikers and clicking their way through Himachal.” Accompanying them all in turn would be volunteers from the NGO, Needful Initiatives For Environment (NIEV), who would be clearing up the areas trailed. An endeavour in keeping with the philosophy of Incredible India and Unbelievable Himachal, the celebrated catch phrases of the organising partners!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

When Sania Mirza got married in the red sari that her mother had worn on her own wedding, she just confirmed the richness of Indian heritage.

Traditional saris handed over from generation to generation are an integral part of any Indian wedding trousseau. Sheer opulence of fabric and motifs, traditional saris are as priceless as timeless as any work of art.

Though today's women experiment more and go for the latest fabric and cuts, yet some priceless pieces still find a proud place in a wedding trousseau.

"For me, the top three saris that make for basic buys for a wedding trousseau are Kancheevaram, Gharchola and a Benarsi silk. A traditional south Indian sari with temple borders tops my list," says Ritu Kochhar, founder director, INIFD-8.

A fresher mind works better' … an age-old truth, but the way youngsters take a break these days has undergone a sea change. It's no longer a walk or a cup of tea with friends, but about a short visit to the virtual world, to Facebook or Twitter. A recent research by Melbourne University says, "Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites, as well as music and online video sites like Youtube, are the most productive ways employees can relax at work."

The findings point out that people who surf the Internet for fun - for less than 20 per cent of their work time - were nine per cent more productive than those who don't. We check out if this holds true for city youngsters as well.

"For sure," says Minakshi Tickoo, a telecom engineer with one of leading cellphone companies. "A look at Facebook or Orkut or a small game like Octopus during my lunch break is good enough to recharge me." And it's not only Minakshi but her whole bunch of friends that bank on the virtual word for relaxation. The hectic pace of life is another reason for the popularity of the virtual world. "In today's life, its practically not possible to meet up with friends after work. But through networking sites one gets to know about all the friends," says Ravjot Singh, a senior knowledge executive with PT Education. "A quick flip through office party pictures proves to be good enough mood-changer for many," he adds.

With a friend circle spread all over the world, Facebook gives you a peep into lives of so many - different places, cultures - a sure enough change from the monotony of work.

"I look forward to Youtube for inspiring videos," says Karan Chabra, a final-year engineering student who is going to walk the ramp for Blenders Pride Punjab Fashion Week. "Facebook is my number one stress buster followed by online resources that let you access any information. No need to store any information now, thanks to Internet the much-needed break is just a click away," he adds. "But then this refreshment is only temporary," points out Gurmeet Kaur, district town planner. "I see a lot of people in my circle who are almost addicted to Facebook and Twitter," she adds. "Even I do bank on it sometimes, but I feel that nothing beats stress better than a small vacation away from home."

It's a season of gifting. Adding to the alternatives is the Montblanc gifting options this Diwali. There's a range to choose from starting with the Soft Leather Range Document Case; a soft leather range document case made of French/Dutch calfskin, with brown jacquard lining, stainless steel fittings, zip closure and adjustable leather shoulder strap.While the Montblanc Marlene Dietrich Commemoration Edition; a special writing instrument, a fountain pen that boasts of a sterling silver barrel embellished with a barley guilloche with a matching cap, handcrafted rhodium plated 18K gold nib with heart shaped heart hole, diamonds and a deep blue sapphire.

Montblanc cuff links in stainless steel sport a star-shaped bar with floating Montblanc diamonds. Then there's Montblanc Starisma Alcina: medium-sized handbag with zip, made of French ivory-coloured calfskin, tobacco-coloured jacquard lining with Montblanc brand name and palladium-plated fittings with coloured enamel inlays. The price is on request. — TNS

True to his earthy image, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar says he likes women in traditional attire.

"Women look fabulous in traditional attires. I have always liked women dressed in Indian clothes and with a ghunghat," Akshay said.

The actor, who is hosting and co-judging Star Plus' MasterChef India, is particularly impressed with Zebi, a contestant who hails from Lucknow. A very quiet young woman, Zebi has not compromised on her traditions and culture even while shooting and is always clad in simple salwar-kameez and takes a dupatta on her head.

"Zebi has the nazakat (grace) that every Indian woman should have in her," the actor said.

Former beauty queen-turned-actor Celina Jaitley, who is the brand ambassador of Egyptian Tourism Authority, might be on the jury of the upcoming Cairo Film Festival to be held in November.

"I am proud to be the tourism ambassador of Egypt and I am looking forward to be part of the jury on one of the most esteemed film festivals of the world," Celina, who was honoured at the film festival last year. Egypt is also among her favourite holiday destinations. — IANS

Vipul Shah is taking Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai on a time travel trip with Action Replayy and the director-producer says he finds it odd that the actors never worked as a romantic couple earlier because they look "so adorable and cute" together.

Akshay and Aishwarya were last seen together in Khakee but they did not have a romantic track in the movie.

They play a bickering old couple in the movie, releasing this Diwali, who find romance by going reverse in their life with the help of their children. Part fantasy and part science fiction, the film will see the stars taking a trip back to the retro era of 70s.

"Akshay and Aish look cute and adorable together. And they are coming as a romantic couple for the first time in a movie. Actually, when I finished writing the script it was Aish who came to my mind. She has that classical Indian beauty and someone who could carry the look with ease," Vipul said.

It is after a gap of three years that Vipul is directing Akshay in a movie. They last worked together as actor-director for Namaste London though Shah produced films starring Akshay.

"I am excited, nervous, scared all at the same time for this movie. It is after three years that I am directing Akshay. We have tried a new look for him this time. I am spending some sleepless nights ahead of the release," he says. Vipul, who has directed hits like Aankhen, Waqt and Namaste London, says he developed the story from a play that he had written in 1994.

"But in the movie, the real challenge was to bring back an era. We have recreated every bit that you see in each frame of the movie. It took us about eight months to do the research and eight other months put things together. And the irony is that we will find a victory if the look does not register with the audience. They should not even realise that they are not watching a contemporary romance," says Vipul. — PTI