The SMSes have started pouring in. Director Raj Kumar Gupta's mobile phone hasn't stopped ringing since Friday morning. Family members are making a dash to his place to congratulate the otherwise introvert director. No One Killed Jessica has received a good response and everyone related to the flick are enjoying the moment of glory. It is natural to ignore the hardwork attached with the success(as of now), but, Raj Kumar Gupta, who still keeps his fingers crossed, remembers every minute that went into the making of No One Killed Jessica.

"I wasn't very sure if I wanted to take up a real life incident for a movie. The idea came from the producer, though I took my time to agree on the subject," shares Gupta. What followed was extensive research, meeting up people related to the incident etc. Revelations were not many, but this wasn't the point. "I started an independent research starting with spending a good time with Sabrina Lal. I met with others, read enough matter on what the media had to say. When I was through with this, I sat down to write the script, which took seven months to materialise," he adds.

No One Killed Jessica is inspired by a real life incident, but it is not a documentary. At least, this is how Raj Kumar Gupta would want audiences to look at it. He says, "A movie should be emotionally compelling, but in the end it should be viewed only as a movie. This was a great subject where justice at one point of time had come to a standstill. During my research, I came across many unlikely heroes."

Gupta wants to clear his stance, No One Killed Jessica is inspired by a real incident but I have added lot of fictional characters as well."

The curiosity of watching a real incident transported on to the silver screen is getting people to hit the movie theatres. Other than that, it is the daring journalist Rani Mukherjee with some 'beeped' dialogues that's a major crowd-puller. "I was always sure that I wanted Vidya Balan to play Sabrina and Rani as the journalist. Both were convinced about their roles after reading the script," shares the director, a man of few words. The sound of beep and the words Sali rey, gali rey in the song, of course, the audiences couldn't ignore. Gupta has a clear take on that too. "I didn't introduce the changes for effect; they happened because it suited the character. I took almost seven months to write the script because I wanted a balanced approach on the subject," he adds. Rap chick Romance is the next movie from Raj Kumar's kitty. The director is already working on the script. "For the moment, it is fingers crossed," he smiles. jasmine@tribunemail.com

I wasn't very sure if I wanted to take up a real life incident for a movie. The idea came from the producer, though I took my time to agree on the subject

A movie should be emotionally compelling, but in the end it should be viewed only as a movie. This was a great subject where justice at one point of time had come to a standstill. During my research, I came across many unlikely heroes

Raj Kumar Gupta, director, No One Killed Jessica

Come winter and just the way fog envelops the region, NRIs descend on their Punjab di mitti to do all that might not be possible back in the countries they reside in. We exchange quick notes with some on what they love doing most when in India.

Life of an expatriate is indeed difficult. Born and brought up in Rochester, England, Gurpreet Khaira troops down to Chandigarh every alternate year. “Though I opened my eyes on English soil, lived all my life there, I am still a foreigner there,” shares Gurpreet. For the last 12 years now, he makes regular trips to India, courtesy his wife. “My wife is from Chandigarh. She misses her family, so she makes regular trips to India and drags me along. And, I am happy being dragged along,” he says.

Among other things, what Khaira family loves to do on their India trip is socialise. “We have a bigger family here than in England. People are open and hospitable. My nine-year-old daughter has so many friends here that every evening she has to be literally dragged into the house,” he laughs.

“Earlier, when I came to India, my friends called me BBCD (British born confused desi) but with regular visits I have become a pakka Indian now,” says Gurpreet, who works in the financial sector.

Since he loves India so much, would he want to settle here? Gurpreet pauses before he shares, “Prior to this visit, perhaps my answer would have been—yes. But during this trip (as my father-in-law has been hospitalised), my perceptions have changed. Though I am satisfied with the primary healthcare, secondary healthcare is not that great in India. I am 42 and not getting any younger. And as I grow older, I would rather be in UK for the medical facilities they offer. But yes, I would love to have houses in both the countries and keep shuttling between the two countries,” he shares.

Sarabjit Sandhu, who owns farms at Hamilton, Canada, actually does that. “Winter is harsh in Canada so I come and spend six months here. During summer, I fly off to Canada. I have the best of both the worlds,” shares Sandhu. And on his itinerary, golf is a priority. “Golf is all about good weather and good people. I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the NRI Golf Tournament organised by Chandigarh Golf Club last month,” he says. And what is it that he misses most in Canada? “My mom. Life is just not complete without her.”

That is exactly how Nandini Vaid feels, who moved to Seattle after marriage. Four years down the line, and with two kids, she finds solace in visiting shrines. “I also want to take my daughter Aishwarya and son Ronit to every place where I spent time during childhood,” she shares. “I really value the family time together. I miss my parents and siblings back there,” adds Nandini, who organised a huge function for son Ronit’s mundan this time.

Keeping in touch with roots tops Preeti Pannu’s ‘to- do’ list. On a holiday with her family and friends from Toronto, she says visiting historical places, spending time with family and of course shopping is what she likes.

For Usha Talwar, a retired nurse settled in New Jersey for more than two decades now, a month’s retreat every year in India is a regular feature. And on her agenda is — ‘khana, peena’ and shopping. “Born and brought up here, I have a close association with India. Since my family is now settled in New Jersey, I cannot move back forever, but I make-do with this annual retreat,” shares Usha who loves to spend time with her extended family. “Although everything is available there, still the real flavour of food is missing. So while I am here I indulge in food. Otherwise I am pretty diet-conscious when in the US,” she avers.

And India plays a good host to these guests by offering separate NRI counters in banks, police cells, shopping centres et al. “Every winter, NRIs are our special customers. Just like we treat our regular clients, it becomes our duty to be hospitable when someone is shopping for hours at a stretch,” says JP Singh, manager, Sham Mall-34.

“Coming from the West, we are used to good service which India is able to provide with having separate cells for NRIs,” says Sandhu. “With too may people, services do get diluted. But then it’s not just the privileges that we come for. Our connection with India is that of the heart,” he says.

mona@tribunemail.com

Born and brought up here, I have a close association with India. Since my family is now settled in New Jersey, I cannot move back forever, but I make-do with this annual retreat Usha Talwar

Winter is harsh in Canada so I come and spend six months here. During summer, I fly off to Canada. I have the best of both the worlds Sarabjit Sandhu

They say the only constant in life is change. And, this is true for Chandigarh traffic! Until a few years ago, Chandigarh's traffic was well regulated. People from neighbouring states made sure that they wore seat belts, carried pollution check certificates and had papers in order before they entered the city limits.

Today, much has changed. Ask any visitor to the city, and the first thing they complain about is chaotic traffic. And the blame goes to - poor traffic etiquettes, underage and rash driving, and no regard for rules.

However, Chandigarh traffic police authorities keep making efforts at their end. In the recently concluded Traffic Safety Week, the police had a range of events lined up for the general public, auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, rickshaw-pullers (who got blankets after the workshop and rickshaw reflectors) as well as school principals.

"We got a very encouraging response," says sub-inspector, Asha Sharma. A play on the theme of underage driving was also staged. "The play held the father guilty of the son's murder by allowing his underage son to drive," she says.

Says Jaspreet Kaur, a homemaker from Sector 8, "I made sure I was with my daughter when she was learning to drive. Now that I am confident of her, I let her drive alone," she says. She agrees that not many parents are that careful.

Ankita, a final-year architecture student, blames the parents. "If youngsters drive recklessly, it's because they are naïve. The onus is on the parents to train them," she shares. 'A responsible driver' is how she defines herself. "I got the driving licence only after a proper test, and started driving only after I was sure of myself and the rules."

"I agree that youngsters, including me, are a bit reckless on roads. Driving without helmet and over- speeding thrills," says Ronit who rides a Honda Stunner. "I can't preach but yes, I will try to change my ways," he says.

Changing the system is not that difficult. We just need to be more responsible.

mona@tribunemail.com

The Anti-Crime Anti-Corruption Cell has been in action since last August. A mix of professionals, businessmen, and with an NRI as the president, this NGO holds traffic awareness meets thrice every week. "During each such meet, we try to create awareness on safe driving - not jumping red lights, respecting zebra crossings, wearing helmets et al," shares Sunil Bhardwaj, general secretary of the cell. However, even as they are getting an encouraging response from the general public as well as the traffic police, they are not able to get in touch with youngsters as of now. "For this we are planning to tap the schools soon," says Bhardwaj.

After featuring together in Apne, the three Deols - Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby - took three years to return together on the silver screen. The reason, Bobby says, is the lack of a good comedy script. The father and sons will now be seen together in Yamla Pagla Deewana, which is releasing Jan 14.

"Apne was a film people were really touched by. They said it really made them cry; so my dad decided that the next time we come together we'll do a comedy. But it's not easy to find a good comedy script.

The audience loved Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi's intense roles in Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai. The two actors are back again on screen in comic roles in Dil to Baccha Hai Ji and it seems they have bonded really well. "It's always good to work with an actor like Ajay. He is brilliant at what he does. He has done a number of romantic comedies and this is my first time. But Ajay makes things easy for the co-stars who work along with him," said Emraan.

"He doesn't throw his weight around and does not talk like one of the seniors of the industry. We had a lot of fun shooting for Dil Toh Baccha..," he added.

Chilly mornings, frosty afternoons and freezing nights - piping hot food is the only saviour in this bitter cold. The food that we tasted at Page 3's restaurant Kebab Khan was not only scrumptious but was also presented well. Mark Amar, assistant vice-president, and Chef Maushin Qureshi played the perfect hosts for the afternoon and also offered some useful tips on the cuisine.

Although we started with a very common vegetarian variety, tamatar dhania shorba, the soup was definitely above average with a distinct flavour of jeera and coriander. For the non-vegetarians, it was murg badami shorba. Though the shorba is a little bland in taste, chunks of chicken and cream of almonds make it a healthy choice for the cold weather.

For the starters, there is a world waiting to be explored. From cauliflower to tender galauti kebab, here you can try a variety of Indian snacks. And what we tasted was a little bit of almost everything!

Talking about the vegetarian variety, we tried sarson ke phool, a cauliflower and broccoli snack that makes use of fresh sarson seeds. Crisp from the outside and juicy inside, the snack is a must-try for the veggies. Next in line was doodhi dahi ke galauti, great option for the ones who cannot have the mutton galautis; this snack is made from lauki. There are other snacks on the vegetarian menu, but our focus is on the best.

Coming to the non-vegetarian variety, the sarson wali machi is the best among the lot. Mustard flavoured, this fish is cooked on the tandoor and leaves you wanting for more. Parsely bharwan tangri, chapli kebab (made from minced lamb with a flavour of cinnamon and peppercorn), bukhni kebab (pounded red chilli flavoured with mustard oil) and galauti kebab (made from mixing 125 spices) are some of the must-try snacks from the menu.

For the main course, they have a variety to offer and what we ordered was Lahsooni palak (it had a distinct flavour of garlic and came topped with red chillies. Great to taste, this was quite different than the usual palak paneer that is served in almost all the restaurants), Paneer Lahaori (little tangy in flavour it makes use of yoghurt), Punjabi Dal Makhani (Chef Qureshi special, this definitely stands out and is a must-must try).

In the non-veg variety we had Irani murg Korma (made out of fine gravy of yoghurt) served with olive and chilli sprinkled naan and sikandari raan (a dish that requires eight hours of preparation. The lamb leg is first marinated with spices, then roasted, slow cooked on Yakhni and finally finished in tandoor). The assortment in breads needs a special mention because here you can actually choose from almost seven varieties, including a variety in naan. Out of the lot what we tasted here was soya vadi aur mutter ke biryani.

As for the dessert, try their gur ka parantha with ice-cream. The restaurant has a wonderful ambience to add to the delightful dishes. A meal for two here would cost around Rs 1,000.

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com