|
|
|
|
|
REAL mov(i)e
"I have been in a reality show so when I got a chance of working in a reality movie, I was kind of sure of myself. The movie turned out to be one amazing experience of my life," says Suyash. "Not only did I live my own life in the movie, I also lived the life of 11 other characters who are part of the movie," he shares.
For Garima Arora, who packed her bags for Mumbai after graduation from MCM DDAV-36 for a holiday and made it her new home, it were experiences of a blind girl and a middle-aged woman who could not speak out to her father about the love of her life, that were most touching. "While shooting for the movie, I realised what it means to be blind," says Garima. "I was moved by the story of this another woman who in the conservative set up of her home could not even dare to share her love with the family," says Garima, who enjoyed her father's support all through.
Brought up in the city, Garima is now madly in love with Mumbai. "The mad rush, superfast pace of life and each day that brings bitter disappointments and new hopes has made me addicted to the city," says Garima. However, making two ends meet does not come easy in Mumbai where each day many fresh faces land up with stars in their eyes. "In Chandigarh, the moment I woke up, breakfast was served; I was pampered and protected. Not here. I have to be my own and I love being responsible," says Garima, who apart from modelling also dons the role of assistant director for shooting ad films. "To do many jobs is a norm in Mumbai, for making a living here is not that easy," says Suyash a ramp model and photographer for Google and Corbis. He has turned to Televille for an ongoing show Pyaar Ki Ye Ek Kahani. "My character will make an appearance in a month's time though the show is on air," says Suyash. Bollywood figures next on the list of both these reality stars. "It's a long journey but I am enjoying each lesson. Emotional Atyachar not only gave me lessons in career, but real life," says Garima who's eyeing South Indian film industry as well. Next for Suyash is a movie from Yash Raj films! mona@tribunemail.com
|
|
A walk down the memory lane is not always a tearful experience, it could a really be wacky joyride. When actor and MTV VJ Rannvijay chatted, shouted and cheered on 92.7 Big FM show Yaaron Ki Gehri with RJ Pankaj on Friday, it was nothing short of a double dose of entertainment. A show that talks about campus, the Ferrari lane, life and everything else that revolves around college and university life, Rannvijay had a time of his life being a jockey. And Rannvijay, who is in city for the auditions of MTV Roadies 8, cannot get enough the campus life. As youngsters made a beeline at the auditions of Roadies as the first ray of sun brightened the sky, Rannvijay shared a note or two on the radio station. “I have changed various schools, so whatever I have learnt is a sum total experience of all,” he says. The Roadies audition is what is the actor is looking forward to. “Just be what you are, this is my mantra and this is the advice I give youngsters.” — TNS
|
|
Women mean business!
It's a man's world where women have taken over! Thanks to our educated parents, women are no longer married and forgotten forever. Things have changed…and changed for good. Girls are now taking up parental business and mind you, they are putting their best foot forward, that too with a heart that beats for work!
Having made a difference in a woman's world way back in 1990, Suchita Jain, executive director, Vardhman Textiles Limited, got into her parental business when she was just 22 and has toiled long to achieve her goal. "Today you see a lot of girls getting into their parental business, but when I did it there were hardly any girls around. Though it was a lot of hardwork for me, business was what I always wanted to do." With an M.com degree, we ask Suchita how she got into business and she says, "No one compelled me to get into business. It came from within and believe me, I got into business right after I completed my education." She adds: "It was not only my parents who supported me but also my grandfather, who always boosted my morale." Having learnt from her mistakes, she says, "No one is perfect, everyone has to learn. I worked very hard to know the inside and outside of the business. Right from managerial skills to technological stuff, I have learnt with time." Mother to two teenage daughters, she took a break from business for three years and is now back with a bang. "People often ask me, how do you balance home and work and I say - Where there is will, there's way." Priyanka Bajaj, daughter of Krishan Bajaj, Sindhi sweets, is full-time into her parental business and it is not because she is the only daughter, but because her family encouraged her. "I was 13-years-old when I first went to our shop with my father and since then there has been no looking back." And what made her take a decision? "The first time my father just asked me to hold the cash counter for five-minutes. At that time I found it interesting and started assisting him regularly, but now it's been 4-5 years that I am into full-time business." Did she face any objections from the family (read joint)? "No. It was my family that encouraged me to get into business and today from packaging to selling to business discussions, I am into almost everything that happens." With her brothers too in the business, she says, "My parents are quite liberal in their thought process and the issue of a daughter handling parental business must not have even crossed their minds." Courtesy her father, Devika Pasricha restored an ancestral property in Mussoorie and converted it into a heritage palace for tourists. "llbert Manor, a 170-year-old luxury heritage hotel, is what I invested on," says Devika. Helping her father diversify his business, she says, "I am responsible for the hospitality part of the business and I am more than proud that my father chose me to re-do this luxury heritage property with 17 lavish rooms." Ask her how did she get into the business and she says, "I always wanted to be independent and I think I am blessed to have parents who encouraged me to do what I had my heart into." Did she face any problems (read relatives)? "My family is very supportive, I never had any issues regarding my career choice." And what's next in line? "Next in line is a property in Kasauli." It is not without reason then, that Jawahar Lal Nehru once stated - "When a women moves forward, the family moves, the village moves and the nation moves." jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com
|
|
Small is BIG
"I am very excited about working with Ranbir Kapoor," she chuckles. Ask her about the role and she goes, "Well, the movie is about three brothers and I play the role of the eldest one's daughter. Ranbir, who plays the youngest brother, is my chachu in the film." "He (Ranbir) is a rockstar who plays the guitar and I am the one who supports and appreciates him," reveals Zoya. In classic superstar style, she adds hastily, "I cannot divulge more details about the movie." Zoya is leaving for New Delhi this Saturday to shoot for the film. "Some parts will be shot now over 3-4 days while for some, I will be going again in December," says the young star. Zoya concedes being jittery about her latest project. "But I am confident I will manage and come out with flying colours," she says. Not new to Bollywood, Zoya has earlier been a part of multi-starrer Love Aaj Kal and Kareena-Shahid's Jab We Met besides having featured in a few advertisements. "I loved working with Deepika. In fact, it was my dream to work with her and when I got an offer for Love Aaj Kal, I was on top of the world," she says, barely able to hide her child-like enthusiasm. "I would say I have been very lucky to have got what I always wanted. Just like Deepika, I wanted to work with Ranbir too and as if God was listening to my prayer, Rockstar fell in my lap," adds the child artist who made her Bollywood debut with Imtiaz Ali's Jab We Met in 2007. "I played Kareena Kapoor's cousin in my debut movie and have some great memories associated with it. Getting along and chatting with Shahid Kapoor is definitely the most cherished of all," she says, elaborating on how Shahid is a gem of a person and great actor. On her dream, Zoya says she wants to become a Bollywood star and work with action hero Akshay Kumar. "I love Akshay Kumar and am eager to work with him," she avers. "But before making it big in the tinsel town, I want to complete my studies," says this Class V student of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, adding that striking a balance between studies and acting has never been a problem. "My teachers and principal have been very supportive and understanding. Of the rest, mom takes care," she says before signing off. charuchhibber@tribunemail.cim
|
|
Flavours of the east
Promoting “authentic” Oriental cuisine with those exotic and often difficult to pronounce names, Zazen has come up with wondeful dishes. And its only after happily eating an authentic meal at the restaurant that we say - it is totally different from what we’ve had in the city restaurants! Executive chef Swatantra Gautam does wonders with his wok and Anuj Kapoor (AFBL, assistant vice president, operations and a chef by heart as also by profession), is a perfect host to introduce us to a world of Oriental cuisine. On how would you decipher gaeng jued tohu or pok ho choy ching thong unless you are widely travelled and knowledgeable enough! To start with, Zazen takes you in through a maze of stairs that open into an amiable space that showcases life-size brass praying wheels, stone Buddha, glass candles and an interesting caged lampshades. While it’s the décor that first sets your mood for an Oriental dining, the menu card is another notable thing. Grey and silver in colour, unlike other places where we have eaten, the menu here first talks about the details and then spells the recipe name. A good initiative, it actually informs the often unapprised eater about the ingredients that go into the dish. Starting with soup, we asked for the omnipresent sweet corn soup (Indonesia) and it was not at all like the one that we’ve had all these years! With a distinct taste of sesame oil, the corn was finely crushed and left a chewy aftertaste in the mouth. Served with leeks and fried wonton it made the soup filling. For people who love soups you can also sip the curry laksa, Malayisa or the prawn and coconut soup with udon noodles (this would be a wonderful take for the non-vegetarians). For the starters, we opted for Golden fried spring rolls that are stuffed with cheese, corns and spinach. Crisp on the outside and smooth inside, these spring rolls are definitely worth a try. Yakitori (a Japanese dish) or in simple English Teppan grilled mix mushrooms is another must try here. If you like fish, dig into grilled herbed fish skewers. Chicken is also on offer, but dim sums and dumplings is a variety that needs to be explored, as they are the chef’s speciality. We check out the key ingredients of Thai, Chinese and Japanese food. “Kaffir lime leaf, grown as backyard shrub in Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, is profusely used in South-East Asian cuisine and finds prominent place in Thai curry paste, adding an aromatic flavour. This native lime’s skin is also used as a major ingredient in chilli paste for Phad Thai and noodles. Similarly, the sweet basil adds an elegant taste to the usual curries, soups, stir-fries and good range of noodle and rice dishes,” says Swatantra. Doing the ‘eat the talk’, we simply loved the main course and took several – albeit small (for record) helpings of it. Eggplant and Chinese beans in black bean sauce was an intresting take as we could not have thought of our humble ‘baingan’ as an exotic dish. Dishes that include tofu (though most people do not like the taste) is also a must try here as it simply melts in the mouth and leaves an amazing after taste. The non-veg choices, like the wok fired prawns with garlic and crushed pepper, Szchewan chilli chicken, sweet ‘n’ sour chicken, spicy stewed slice fish with a subtly flavoured wine sauce or the pan fried chicken cooked in sauce with crushed black beans and red chilli flakes would surely make for a complete meal. Though the list in the menu is endless, we suggest choose your pick as every dish we tried had a distinct flavour to it and a variety of accompaniments! For the dessert try fried ice cream or Oriental spicy Chocolate mousse, which has a well-defined flavour of cinnamon and pepper corn, are worth a try. Taste cannot be defined, so take your pick, but you are sure to like the authentic flavour of the dishes and use of key ingredients! jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com
|
|
Chef’s Corner A very smart man once made a bright statement - everyday is a new experience. Well, a confident and progressive point that it makes holds true even for some well-experienced ones. And chef Henry Gomes is among the mentioned few. Before coming to Chandigarh to work as the executive chef of The Chandigarh Ashok, Henry has served the rich and the famous for the last four decades, which includes the King of Jordan and Queen Elizabeth! And yet Chandigarh seems like an examination: “I have worked at places like Hyatt, Oberoi; the Middle-East over the period of my career, specialising in French, Italian and mid-eastern cuisine. But to please a hardcore Punjabi appetite is indeed a task,” says the well-experienced chef. So his task here is cut out - to make Spice Café, the restaurant at Chandigarh Ashoka, a hub for everything that the city likes. “Spice Café will not be about spicy or just Punjabi food but something with a hint of everything. For starters, we have introduced grilled recipes like Kukure ‘paneer’ with ‘Khare phool’, which is grilled paneer, broccoli and more,” he adds. His Bengali roots do make him qualify as a foodie, “A trait that we share with Punjabis. Both love their food.” And we take pride in the fact. “But I don’t come here with any fixed idea. I want to serve them something they don’t know of. Rather work on their suggestions and complement it with my expertise,” he says. His 20 years of experience working in the Middle-East has got the best out of him, “Mid-eastern food is probably the best in terms of health and innovation with tradition. I want to give Chandigarh a taste of what it is.” And we are all game for it. Food is not just a passion but also a tradition for him. “My father has worked with Bikki Oberoi for 22 years. So, you can say that cooking was in my genes and became my ultimate calling.” Well, that just raises the expectations. He doesn’t disappoint, sharing one of his favourite recipes with us. Try it out.
|
|
We’ve heard it so many times, ‘looks matter’. And believing the same, Diageo, has re-launched the VAT 69. The iconic dark green sherry shaped bottle, synonymous with Bollywood films, retains the heritage cues, but the new bottle honours the brand’s historic past while the featured trademark rectangular black label, with its white, stencilled type, boldly shouts ‘VAT 69’ with burnished gold embellishments. Stylish, contemporary and of fine craftsmanship, the new bottle guards the scotch whisky within - just as envisioned by William Sanderson. Says Malay Dikshit, marketing manager, Portfolio Scotches, Diageo India Pvt Ltd, “The new, classic yet contemporary, VAT 69 bottle has a rich and enviable history and heritage. When we thought of upping the ante on VAT 69, the first thing that came to our minds was to re-kindle the legends of VAT 69. VAT 69 bottle defies the usual sophisticated codes associated with Scotch whiskies and appeals to the rugged masculinity and the deep-rooted need to make a mark in this fiercely competitive world.” Distilled from the finest malt and grain whiskies and aged using specific casks, VAT 69 is has light and well-balanced flavour generating a robust mouth feel. One of the ten best-selling Scotch Whiskies internationally, its popularity has spread to over 164 countries and nearly a million cases are sold worldwide each year. — TNS
|
|
Stepping away from her girl-next door image, Bollywood actress Rani Mukherji will be seen as a feisty TV journalist, who smokes and swears, in No One Killed Jessica (NOKJ). The first look of the film, based on the Jessica Lall murder case, was unveiled in the capital today, showing the actress puffing away on a cigarette and using expletives, in an avatar much unlike the characters she has played so far in films like Ta Ra Rum Pum and Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic. "I based my character on the journalists I meet everyday, some of them do smoke and use cuss words. The bold portrayal is a reflection of the kind of media persons I have seen in real life," said Rani. The 32-year-old actress, who was last seen in the box office dud Dil Bole Hadippa, said she took up the role of Meera in the real-life inspired film as she wanted to dish out something new to her fans. "I haven't taken up the film to prove any point, but I need to show something new and different to my fans by taking up strong, meaty roles like these. I try do such films which I would like to watch as a viewer," said Rani. Explaining the use of foul words by her character, the film's director Rajkumar Gupta said, "Expletives are a part of the normal lingo these days, it is the way people speak. But we had to beep them so the Censor Board won't have a problem." No One Killed Jessica, which also stars Vidya Balan as Sabrina Lall, hits theatres on January 7. — PTI
|
|
Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan launched an apparel line as part of a promotion for their upcoming movie Break Ke Baad in Mumbai. Padukone wore a floral dress with a pair of gladiator sandals, while Khan wore a blue and white checked casual shirt with trousers. Padukone said the movie has clothes that people would love to wear. "Here, the look is completely different. It's something that I think every girl can easily pick up and wear, very wearable. A lot of times what you see in the films are not wearable," said Padukone. Khan said: "Style is very big thing and in India, we like to copy our heroes. After people saw Dabangg, everyone started wearing sunglasses on the back like Salman Khan. Even I did that, for a short while. But we hope that people start copying our style as well." Directed by debutant Danish Aslam, the movie has been shot in Delhi, Mumbai and Mauritius and is slated for released on November 26. — ANI
|
|
If people are talking about Akshay Kumar's more sophisticated clothes these days, it's his wife Twinkle who is designing them. "As far as dressing up my husband is concerned, yes I've been supervising his clothes a bit more nowadays. Not that Akshay is a bad dresser on his own. But you know how guys are? Left to themselves they'd just put on a white shirt over black trousers. That's playing it safe and knowing it always works. I've changed that," she said. Twinkle has apparently decided to come out of the closet to take care of Akshay's wardrobe. So far she was discreetly guiding her husband from behind the scenes, letting him into her special skills at colour co-ordination and mixing 'n' matching in fits and starts. Close friends say this is a step away from Twinkle dressing up her husband on screen as well. But she denied it saying: "No I've no such ambitions. I'm happy in my world with my husband and son (Aarav), happy to see him being the star. Happy building tables, chairs and watching homes come alive in front of me." Twinkle admits she has been dressing up her husband more adventurously lately."Perhaps I am encouraging him to dress up more adventurously. Left to himself, he is not fashion conscious at all. It takes a woman to know what her man really looks good wearing." Incidentally, a clothes sense runs in Twinkle's family. Her late aunt Simple Kapadia used to design clothes regularly. — IANS
|
|
The cast of Glee will perform a mash-up version of Michael Jackson's legendary song Thriller in February as part of a special after the Super Bowl football game. But the special episode will not be devoted entirely to the music of the late King of Pop, and Thriller will be performed mixed in with another unnamed song. .
— Reuters
|
|
Actor Anne Hathaway and Oscar winner Denzel Washington have been tapped as co-hosts of the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Norway, according to the event's organisers. Performers at the concert, which will take place on December 11 in Oslo, range from veteran rocker Elvis Costello to current pop sensation Robyn and include jazz funk act Jamiroquai, Mandy singer Barry Manilow and pianist Herbie Hancock. —
Reuters
|
|
She's a country girl who loves the late-night club scene. A reluctant fashion icon who says she doesn't fuss over her clothes - but looks stunning in just about anything.
Kate Middleton has kept her thoughts to herself and a circle of trusted friends during her long romance with Prince William. Until she spoke out about her love for the 28-year-old prince and her admiration for his mother, the late Princess Diana, on the day their engagement was announced, Middleton had kept totally mum about her relationship and her thoughts about joining 'The Firm', as the royal family is popularly known. So who is the future queen, and what matters to her? Only her closest friends know if she has hoped for years to marry William, as some schoolmates say - pointing out that she went out of her way to catch his eye their freshmen year at college. Or if she was content in her role as the on-again, off-again girlfriend of one of the most eligible men in the world. In the absence of words there have been images. Kate glamorous in evening wear, Kate lounging on a yacht in a white bikini and - most surprisingly - Kate in black bra and panties topped by a sheer dress at a charity fashion show in early 2002, when she and the prince were just friends. That event prompted William, according to biographer Katie Nicholl, to tell a friend that 'Kate's hot'. Shortly afterward, Nicholl said, the prince made his move, setting in motion the events leading to next year's gala royal wedding. After romance blossomed, Middleton made an effort to keep out of the public eye so she and William could enjoy each other's company in private, Nicholl said. "They tucked themselves away," she told. "They ordered curries from the local curry shop. They called in DVDs. They had a very successful understanding that they would never be photographed together, they wouldn't be pictured holding hands. And that stood them in good stead. They could keep that relationship clandestine for the best part of a year." — AP
|
|
American popstar Kat Deluna has turned to Bollywood for inspiration and will be seen sporting the traditional Indian outfit of lehenga-choli (skirt and blouse) in her latest video. The Whine Up hitmaker recently filmed the video for her latest single Party'O Clock, which will see her performing a Bollywood style dance. A recently released snippet highlights the pint-sized popstar's dance with four backing dancers who are sporting red and blue lehengas. In another scene she opts for a ruffled red dress and struts her stuff in front of a giant clock. There are also images of her stripping down to nothing but a tight bustier, black panties and fishnet stockings. The 23-year-old had spoken about her love of fashion in a recent interview. "I love fashion and playing around with different looks all the time, fashion is a form of expression for me. I am interested in having my own clothing line in the near future," she said. — PTI
|
|
Multi-talented Tyra Banks is all set to direct a two-minute film featuring the final four contestants of America's Next Top Model - Ann, Chelsey, Jane and Kayla. "A lot of designers and people in the fashion industry are feeling like the future of fashion is not just still photos, but they've been doing mini movies where the models are acting things out," she says. In past cycles of Top Model, it's become a rite of passage for the contestants to participate in a shoot with Banks acting as photographer, but graduating to film directing proved to be a challenge. "Photography has been my own personal hobby for the last 8 years, so I was ready for movement. But it was so hard," she said. The film, which will air at the end of Wednesday's episode was shot at a castle in Verona, Italy, and will incorporate high-fashion outfits, boyish looks, and crying scenes which channel an 'over-the-top Italian drama', Banks said. "It was 100 degrees and the girls were really struggling with the heat. But when I got to editing, I was like, 'Oh my god, I love this!'" she said. — ANI
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
If reality shows are the best selling right now, imagine what's next — a reality movie! Anirudh Chawla has recently wrapped up shooting for a reality movie tentatively titled Balls Hain Kya. Just as popular are Chandigarh youngsters on reality shows, two of them have landed roles in one of the first reality movie scheduled to hit the screens in March. We chat up with Garima Arora (from Emotional Atyachar) and Suyash (Splitsvilla 2), our own city-bred models-cum-actors and their new experience.
"Life's is not all that rosy everywhere," says Suyash who has walked the ramp for most of the top designers of the country, including Manish Malhotra, Arjun Khanna, Rohit Bal, Varun Behl et al, in various fashion weeks across the country, including the Lakme Fashion Week. "I was most touched by this gay guy and challenges he faced just because he is different," says Suyash. 
"It was in such a stark contrast to my own life. My dad has been there for me forever and now that I am not able to come home due to work, he makes sure to be with me in Mumbai often," she says. 
With her charisma, looks, confidence, and a formidable offer to back it up, Ludhiana girl Zoya Verma is all set to sizzle on the silver screen. The 10-year-old girl has bagged a role in Imtiaz Ali directed Rockstar, wherein she plays the little niece of Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor.
Lets go Oriental this week with Zazen, at Page 3 in Panchkula. A restaurant that has an open view and impressive interiors; it does not fail in what it should be better known for—food. Just to brief you, the property has three restaurants — Café Amor (for the European delicacies), Kebab Khan (for the Indian, Mughali and Afghani delicacies) and our interest for this week, Zazen, for the Oriental flavours (Indonesian to Thai, Malaysian and even Japanese).
What has authenticity got to do with taste? A lot, if we go by cooking standards and nothing if we go by a layman’s palate! And whetting the layman’s appetite, Page 3 begins a 10-day ‘Chinjabi’ food festival at their Oriental restaurant Zazen. A harmonious blend of Punjabi tadka to Chinese food, the menu includes an Indianised version of Chinese food that includes chilli paneer, salt and pepper prawns, lemon chicken, Chinese stir fried vegetables and so on.
