It's the spirited beats of dhol, energetic voices, mountains of moongfali, trays of gachak and ghee-dripping bhugga that usher in the harvest festival of Lohri. Celebrated big time in Punjab, this festival raises the temperature a degree higher with the lighting of traditional bonfire and mouth-watering munchies. And what sends the merriment quotient higher are the notorious lyrics and a bhangra swirl that comes alive with the enthralling dhol beats. Though people in the North celebrate the day with great fanfare, we ask the Punjabi actors in Mumbai how they celebrate Lohri away from home.

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Sunder mundriye hoye/ Tera kaun vichara hoye…Lohri is here and we are set for dhol beats, singing and much more. We check out what kind of music is being preferred by city folks.

"Lohri is all about traditional Punjabi music. People prefer music that gives them a feel of being at home even if they are away from it," says a salesman from Music World. But people also prefer latest Punjabi numbers. "The preferences are changing. Youngsters want music with which they can relate better," says a worker at Planet M. And among the hit albums are those by Sartaaj, rap songs by Honey Singh and other peppy numbers. Another Music World salesman says Hindi music has become quite popular, especially the dance numbers. So, this Lohri we are sure to get a combo pack of Yaaran Anmulle and Munni Badnaam Hui!

“Chandigarh is a place where you can find people from every corner of India. And all of them celebrate Lohri with equal fervour," says Saumya Dixit, a customer at Planet M. — Deepali Sagar

Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, who will be soon seen for the first time in a romcom, says he was taken aback when director Madhur Bhandarkar offered him Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji as he felt he did not fit the bill of romantic movies. "I was offered couple of romantic comedies earlier but I thought I don't fit the bill of fairy tale stories...the romance space that Bollywood generally tries to show. But in this film because of Madhur's sense of realism in it I wanted to be part of it," Emraan said.

"When I met Madhur I thought he would offer me films like Page 3 or so. I was wondering on which area of society he is making a film now, thought he would do something on the film industry. I was surprised and at the same time taken aback and thrown off when he told me about his new project, a romcom," the 31-year-old actor said.

The film also stars Ajay Devgn, Omi Vaidya, Shazahn Padamsee, Shruti Haasan and Shraddha Das in lead roles.

When asked if he was taking risk as this genre was not Madhur's forte, Emraan said, "I like to take risks. I want to taste different waters and do something new. I am comfortable doing risky subjects as with that you bring something new as an actor. The industry will want you to do those things that you are good or best at, but the audience wants to see different things." The actor, who is best known for his kissing scenes has earlier done dark and intense roles in films like Gangster, Jannat, and Once Upon A Time In Mumbai among others. — PTI

James Franco has revealed that he had to change his approach to acting in recent years after realizing his argumentative attitude made him "unpleasant" and "hard to get along with" on film sets. The Spider-Man star admitted that his intense work ethic often strained relationships and impacted on his performances.

But Franco is adamant he has changed his ways and even though he still works hard, he is much more amiable. "I used to approach acting with a very antagonistic (attitude). I was very hard to get along with and it made working in film very unpleasant," he said.

"It also hurt my performances. Now I think about acting differently. I still work really hard, but for my own sanity— and everyone else's—I've had to surrender the results," the actor added. — ANI

Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher admitted he never takes his marriage with actor Demi Moore for granted and is always working to keep the relationship going.

The What Happens in Vegas star wed Moore in 2005 and while the pair are still blissfully happy, the 32-year-old hunk says it's important to try and make things better. "I'm constantly reminding myself, like, no matter how amazing my relationship is, keep working on it. Keep working on it and keep finding another level. Things can always get better, even when it's going great," said Kutcher.

The actor recently revealed he prefers to declare love for his 48-year-old spouse online. Kutcher thinks using social networking websites to send affectionate messages to Moore is no different to sending flowers to the workplace.

"Sending sweet nothings on twitter or Facebook is fun. In some ways, it's no different than sending flowers to the office: You are declaring your love for everyone to see. Who doesn't like to be publicly adored?" But he admitted a computer is no substitute for human contact. "When someone needs us, he or she needs all of us.

There's no text that can replace a loving touch when someone we love is hurting." — PTI

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut fell prey to a 'joint' prank on the sets of her forthcoming film Tanu Weds Manu. The 23-year-old actor, who portrays the role of a free-spirited small town girl, had to smoke a joint for a scene. However, the unit spiked up her joint and Kangana smoked it without realising. But the actress felt sick after smoking the joint and shooting had to be cancelled.

The unit later apologised for the prank. "We were really worried about Kangana, after she fell really sick because of the spiked joint. We owned up to our mischief and apologised to her. She took it in the right spirit, and didn't mind our prank," said a source.

Kangana will be seen in a new avatar opposite R Madhavan in 'Tanu...', which hits theatres on February 25. — PTI

Hollywood actor David Duchovny has revealed that he's keen to reprise his role as Agent Fox Mulder for a third flick in the 'X-Files' movie franchise. David says he misses the show, which he considers as a little family, according to Showbiz Spy. "I'm always game. It always rides on Fox. Chris Carter is game. I know Gillian Anderson is game. We all, at this point, love the show," the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying.

"We all, at this point, would love to work with one another again. We're all good friends and miss one another, and miss working together. "We worked together so hard for so long, so closely. We had some ups and downs personally, sure. But in the end, they are really like family to me.

"We're all like this little X-Files family and I, for one, would love to continue. And I think there's a lot left in the show. You know? And I think we can continue to make good movies. "It's just a matter of spending enough on a movie that can compete in the summertime. We made a movie and released it in the summer, but it wasn't really a blockbuster movie. And it got kind of overshadowed by the bigger ones. So, we're saying, make us big. We'll fight with the big boys," the actor said. — ANI

Hit musical series Glee's leading man Matthew Morrison has named British actor Keira Knightley as his dream guest star and has welcomed her for a cameo role whenever she wants.

Morrison, who plays Glee club leader Will Schuester, is hoping that the Pirates of the Caribbean star will be the next famous face to sign up, so that he can fulfil his fantasy of kissing her onscreen.

"Oh God, I'm such a sucker for women with British accents. So many (potential guest stars) to choose from...

Actually I'll go with a Brit because I really like this gir —Keira Knightley. She should guest star in Glee. (She should play) the part of the girl who gets kissed by Will Schuester," said 32-year-old Morrison.

The phenomenally successful musical series has recently attracted a slew of superstar guests, including actor Gwyneth Paltrow and pop star Britney Spears. — PTI

A set of fixed answers to a set of fixed questions and that's it. When it's about interviewing Punjabi MC, one of the most popular DJ and music composers, we have a fair idea of what would come out of the interaction- music scenario around the globe, scene in India, future of deejaying, Punjabi music becoming universal, the contemporary music form of rapping…and the results were quite expected, except for his take on the 'modern and tolerant' Western society. "It's a pseudo-modern society, extremely racist and a one that loves to bring down people who have achieved something in life."

In very strong words, he adds, "In Europe, any outsider who's successful is hated. The US still fares better. The aftershocks of 9/11 are still felt in the West in the form of racism. Any Asian with a brown skin is a Paki," says the Punjabi MC aka Rajinder Singh, who launched his album The Raj at the Big FM studio in the city on Wednesday. He adds that England too has gone back to pre-Independence era of India, when racism was a prevalent social evil.

It's probably on the same line of thought that the cover of the album has a picture of the Queen's crown, "Maybe that makes authorities there realise that Kohinoor diamond has a sentimental value for Indians". So, does even the name of the album got something to do with the British Raj? "I decided on the name for two reasons. The first, of course is related to the British rule. The second is that I wanted people in the UK to address me as Raj, which is short form of my name. Otherwise, they call me P, abbreviation for Punjabi, which isn't pleasing."

Coming to the album, it has 15 tracks sung by the likes of Lehmber Hussainpuri, Bappi Lahiri and Kuldeep Manak. He feels that the tracks would match the success of his earlier numbers like Mundiyan to bach ke Rahin and Mirza is Morni. He has also done rap for the track called, The Raj. "In all these years, I have failed to choose one from rapping, DJing and composing music, probably the reason I haven't mastered any," he quips. While he took at least a decade to master the right mixing and scratching, people do claim to learn the art in a few months time with the help of softwares and websites! "Youngsters today want to come out with an album as soon as they have learnt the basic nuances of DJing. Quality supersedes quantity and it's very important to understand this fact to make a career in DJing. It's only after 10 years of mixing that a DJ becomes perfect." But that does create some competition, which doesn't bother him, "In fact that keeps me on my toes all the time, even after an experience of so many years."

Although his tracks have been picked up for films like Boom and Bend it like Beckam, he has never worked for a Bollywood project as such. "That's solely for the reason that nothing has come my way. I would be more than happy to give music for a Bollywood flick." We would wait for that to happen!

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Wasn't the Deejay already going places, from the nightclubs to gyms, cafes or even malls? DJ Teenu Arora adds to the statistics by becoming the first ever DJ to turn music composer for Bollywood, with his maiden film Mumbai Mast Kalander. "There's a world of difference between making music for films and scratching, mixing and spinning. I took to deejaying because I eventually wanted to become a music director and I had no background in the Industry," scheduled to perform in city on Saturday, he draws the parallels over the phone from Bahrain.

"DJing does help in someway, it helps in visualising the final product. But still as a music composer for a film, you have to start from scratch, learn the basics of production," he adds.

The rest as they say, is proverbial history that spans over 13 years of playing music in just about every club in the world. He has a couple of awards in his kitty, like the World DMC Mixing Championship 2000 and Best DJ of North India by a magazine. "I was born and brought up in Delhi and since childhood have been hooked to music. I wouldn't head anywhere without headphones. I learnt the art under DJ Rummi," he says. Ever since deejaying has evolved from a mere aspiration to a passion and now to a profession, DJs have become omnipresent in the cityscape. "The reason we see them everywhere is because they are basically entertainers and present pre-recorded music in a better way."

Back to the Mumbai… "It's a youth-centric film with two party songs."

On the international front, Teenu is ready to release his first house music single Be Mine Tonight, scheduled to be out in February. "It's a vocal house track going to be released by different labels in different countries."

Scheduled to perform on Saturday at Black Magic-DT Mall, when he'd be "playing his own tracks, some from his albums, others from Bollywood and perhaps would be giving out audio CDs to the crowd', he has a couple of takes on the city too. "I feel DJs from Delhi and Chandigarh are very good. And I'm not saying it because I'm speaking to someone from the region."

Also on the cards is music for Kashmira Shah's upcoming album, a single by Band of Boys called Friday Night, Rohit Roy's short film Hotel Park Street. Quite a musicful!

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This exhibition is well timed. On at Lajpat Rai Bhawan-15, Kullu Fest'11 offers a variety of shawls, stoles, mufflers, jackets, socks and caps.

Here you can find pashmina, yak wool and pure wool stoles and shawls. While pashmina comes in natural colours (there is option of self-print), it comes at a starting range of Rs 8,000. Yak wool shawls with broad borders are priced at Rs 960. Pure wool, hand woven shawls, plain as well with traditional borders start from Rs 400.

There is range of jackets and coats for men, women and children. Also, one can find a range of gloves, caps and socks. Woollen ponchos find a place here as well.

"We have been organising this exhibition for the past 10 years now. Our clients trust us with our quality. What we say is what we sell," says Anil Mehra, from Manu Weavers, Manali.

Also, on display are Banarsi fabric, suit, saris, quilts, bedspreads, furniture from Saharanpur, leather coats, palm leaf and metal paintings from Orissa and bangles from Jaipur.

The woollies come at a 20 per cent discount. — TNS

On till January 23

Women coming to parlours for facials have common problems like uneven and patchy skin, clogged pores, dull complexion and lack of glow. These are signs of unhealthy skin whose major cause is lack of Oxygen. What the skin needs at this time is a high boost of pure oxygen which revives the skin and most facials kits available in the market do not meet this need.

Oxy-a premium fast-growing bleach brand- has launched OxyLife Professional Facial Kit with unique OxySphere technology developed in Germany. It helps to encapsulates pure oxygen in each product of kit and release on application. This kit is created exclusively for professional use and works in a five step process face cleanser, face scrub, face cream, face gel and face pack to give a visibly radiant face that glows with life. This launch also marks Dabur's entry into the professional skin care market.

The launch was accompanied with an expert talk on skin care by acclaimed beauty professional Bharti Taneja. Speaking on the occasion, Dabur India Ltd Executive vice-president, Marketing (Personal Care), Vikas Mittal said, "At Babur, we have always recognized and strived to meet the ever-evolving needs of our consumers. Today's women are exposed to a hectic, stressful and urban lifestyle which takes a toll on their skin. With Oxylife Professional Facial Kit we are tapping into a big opportunity in professional space and our endeavour is to give superior result through differentiated offering. —TNS

Much that we know about our cultural heritage comes through sculptures, carvings or paintings," says Patna-based sculptor Rajat Kumar Ghosh, who is at Kalagram on the invitation of the NZCC as 'Artist in Residence'.

"Earlier, those at the helm of affairs better understood art in terms of utility as well, since the sculptures can preserve and propagate the history and cultural traditions of a particular era," he adds, highlighting the significance of visual art in life, society and the nation.

"Sadly, authorities in many states lack appreciation for artworks. My own creations installed at public venues in Bihar are now in a dilapidated condition," he rues. He praises the city for taking care of its sculptures both at Kalagram and Chandigarh in general.

Following in the footsteps of his father-guru Manoranjan Ghosh, the acclaimed photographer and artist, Rajat, started painting at a very young age. His passion for sculpture-making turned into a full-fledged profession and to attain

perfection in the art, he studied at the College and Fine Arts and Culture, Patna. He was awarded a scholarship for study and research in tribal arts, anthropology and folk art forms of the region. Rajat has won many honours, including National Lalit Kala Academy Award in 1985. Although he specialises in terracota with 7000-odd sculptures to his credit, Rajat is equally good with other mediums like stone, sand stone, mural et al.

His works reflect the folklore of Maithali, Bhojpuri, Meghavi as well as mythological deities. Rajat has enlivened the heroic and love legends of Allah Udal-Tulsi Veer, Natua Dayal, Dhuiyna Bawa and many more.

Whatever women do is intense and so is their friendship. The bonds that female friends share are really close. But what happens when such a close friendship breaks? “Friendships of women can be very close, so it can be as painful as breaking up with a partner when things go wrong,” says Irene S. Levine, clinical psychologist and author of Best Friends Forever: Surviving A Break Up With Your Best Friend.

What makes women bonds special? What to do in case they break? We gather some notes from the city’s fairer sex.

“Women bonds are very intense,” says Pallavi Chopra from Sector-4, Panchkula. “I have two very close female friends. Our bond is so special that I get hurt whenever we fight,” she admits. And how does she mend things? “Well, fights occur mostly because of miscommunication or misunderstanding. My experience has taught me that there is no fun in keeping it in the heart and being bitter. ‘Share and sort out’ is my mantra,” says Pallavi.

Women share their closest secrets with friends, which can become troublesome if a friendship breaks. “Women share a lot in their friendship. Asking for suggestions, spending too much time together feels great when you are friends. And, hurts as badly when you are no more,” says Shilpa Kapoor, a homemaker from Sector 12, Panchkula. “I wouldn’t says don’t take advice from friends but please apply your brains too,” she adds.

Having gone through a ‘friend break-up’, Shilpa suggests that distance should be maintained from the beginning. “Women have this trait of ‘feeling guilty’ all the time. I had trouble with one of my friend. Though we still meet, we are no more friends the way we used to be. It hurts me no end,” says Shilpa.

‘Keeping distance’ is the approach Vaishali Thakur, an assistant professor in law, also adopts. “When I am friends with someone, it’s for life. I may not be talking to each of my friend everyday, but that doesn’t spoil our friendship,” says Vaishali. She says ‘giving space’ in any relationship is a must and that holds true for friendship as well.

“Even I had one bad experience. But I have moved on. And, so should everyone,” says Vaishali, who is known in her friend circle for her ‘fun loving spirit’.

Women need appreciation. If the family fails to provide that, women bank on friends for that. “Women draw lots of support from friends. If a friendship is real, the break-up is going to be painful,” says Preeti Arora, a choreographer from Sector 11. In times when everything is short term, friendships break as well. This is what Preeti suggests, “Immerse yourself in work, do something that makes you happy and move on.”

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My cousin, pursuing her studies at Shimla, invited me for the New Year’s Eve celebration. With a handful of woollens packed in a rucksack, I zoomed to Shimla. My cousin had come to receive me. In half an hour, we were at her hostel. Following a sumptuous dinner, we slept early. The crispy morning had a surprise in store - Shimla received the season’s first snowfall. It was like a dream come true for me. We sauntered along the Ridge and the skating rink, yelling and yodelling at each other. We lived each moment of the fun-filled snowy day.

A new survey has revealed that Britons spend a whopping 37 million pounds every year on unused purchases and broken resolutions. The average adult spends 1,213 pounds a year on ‘wasted’ items, such as gym memberships they do not use, healthy food they throw away and new clothes they never wear.

77 per cent admit wasting ‘a lot’ on gym fees, with most spending 303 pounds in forgotten direct debits for membership.

Another 158 pounds goes on unused sports equipment, while night classes that go unattended cost 172 pounds a year. The average adult also wastes 111 pounds on gadgets and 123 pounds on clothes. Discarded food and drink costs a further 103 pounds a year, while computer games, CDs, DVDs and magazine subscriptions also regularly go to waste.

“Although officially being out of recession, things are still extremely difficult, so it’s crucial to save money by not buying things we don’t really need or want,” said Darren Fell, of online accountants Crunch.co.uk, which carried out the poll of 3,000 people.

“But many Britons admit they often get sucked into buying something they won’t really use, so it’s worth considering purchases wisely.” — ANI

A new research has supported the idea that long-term love is possible. A new study, led by Bianca Acevedo and Arthur Aron of the Department of Psychology at Stony Brook University and colleagues, compared the neural correlates of long-term married and in love individuals with individuals who had recently fallen in love.

They discovered highly similar brain activity in regions associated with reward, motivation and ‘wanting” in both sets of couples.

The research team used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to scan the brains of 10 women and 7 men who reported that they were still intensely in love with their spouse after an average of 21 years of marriage.

“We found many very clear similarities between those who were in love long term and those who had just fallen madly in love,” said Aron, referring to key reward and motivation regions of the brain, largely parts of the dopamine-rich ventral tegmental area (VTA). “In this latest study, the VTA showed greater response to images of a long-term partner when compared with images of a close friend or any of the other facial images,” he said.

Acevedo and Aron explained that the brain imaging data on the long-term couples suggested that reward-value associated with a long-term partner may be sustained, similar to new love.

Additionally, the results supported theories proposing that there might be specific brain mechanisms by which romantic love is sustained in some long-term relationships. — ANI

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