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Partying
or social climbing?
Paris Hilton made a career out of partying; of course, the model, actor; singer tag closely followed! If Michel Adam didn't party the way he did, perhaps nobody would recognise him. Closer home, Queenie Singh is probably a product of partying right.
Let's put it straight, you are who you party with; whoever thought partying means to put your feet up, let your guards down. Shares Iris Maity, model-turned-actor, "For different people, the reasons for partying are different. Some would do it just to relax. While the other set would do the same thing for different reasons altogether. Some people just like to socialise, others do it because they have too much of money; there are still some more who party because they want to know more people." As much as the 'hows', the 'whys' of partying differ - the obvious is winding down; the obscure is to climb up the social ladder. For some to be seen with the right people is essential, for others networking takes precedence, still some others would like to know more people. Very few are actually winding down! Call it the philosophy of party or the politics of partying, pull out the terms social climber or wannabe. Model Sakshi Bindra, doesn't mince words when she calls a stag a stag. "Yes, the parties that I go to, there you'd find a lot of such people who'd stack up to certain people just because they are rich and famous." Or people who'll befriend people who know people! She adds, "I am a model and by virtue of my profession I end up attending a lot of 'private invitation only' parties. At times it's sheer networking reasons. You can't help it." It's not even business networking, for many it's about being alert, brushing aside the crowd, moving and cozying up to the right people. Opines Joanna Magee, one of the prominent party faces of the city, "We have all observed this phenomenon around us. There are many people who'd try to stick around me or certain other people just because they see an opportunity of getting clicked alongside." For her dancing is what makes her go out and socialise. She adds, "The sheer love for dancing makes me go out." Somewhat ditto for Iris, "I personally am not a party person. I don't party much because I don't drink or smoke. Maybe for me, it's dancing. I do go and party only when all the friends decide to catch up." As for the opinion on others, they are reserved. Shrugs Iris, "Each one of us have observed this growing phenomenon around us. I wouldn't comment. To each his own." Party hard, party tonight but party for all the right reasons. As Joanna sums up, "I think it's okay. I think that's a very human tendency, that's very natural." Good for those for whom it works, without harming
others! manpriya@tribunemail.com |
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Kathak in their veins
When art resides in one's soul, every act seems like a performance par excellence, even a casual chat over a cup of tea. So, when Jaikishan Maharaj and Deepak Maharaj, renowned kathak maestro Birju Maharaj's sons, met us over a brief one-on-one session, it was like a unique performance in itself. "Whatever I have achieved today is all because of my father. I wanted to become a cricketer, but I knew I had to carry forward our family tradition. I still remember my first stage show wherein I was nervous and did not smile throughout. After the dance presentation, viewers congratulated me and that was an achievement," says the younger son Deepak Maharaj. Adds Jaikishan Maharaj, his elder brother, "We are thankful to the Pracheen Kala Kendra for providing such a great platform for us to perform here. This is the second time we are here and I am sure even this time we will be loved as much." A bandish by Birju Maharaj ithlaati balkhaati chamak deh damini; varnat chabbi shyaam sundar and shahi mehfil will add grandeur to their performance. Kathak is a dance form based upon footwork and 'bhaavs'. "Just one line or word can be expressed in a thousand ways. For instance, my grandfather was once performing in the darbaar of the Nawab of Rampur on a beautiful song with an opening line aye balma re chunariya maika laal ranga la de. The word laal, was then expressed by him in so many ways that the evening baithak ended early morning," reminisces Jaikishan Maharaj. "Surprisingly, foreign students are very interested in knowing the intricacies of kathak, but youngsters here are not keen on learning it, especially boys," he laments. Bollywood beauties right from Madhubala to Meena Kumari to Madhuri Dixit have emoted various bhaavs on the silver screen. Madhuri Dixit, who is Birju Maharaj's student, was overwhelmed when her guru choreographed her for two films Dil To Pagal Hai and Devdas. "Madhuri Dixit has been one of his good students. Even during the shoots before going in front of the camera she would touch his feet. We are not really into the business of Bollywood because the moment we start doing it full time, the audience might take us lightly," says Jaikishan Maharaj. On asking what restricts them today when they go on stage Deepak Maharaj says, "The time factor is very annoying. During certain events we are given 20 minutes to perform. How much can a kathak dancer emote in those few minutes? But still we have to."
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The cult machine
A racing heritage, a revenge on dull, drab and boring souls, a teaser for minds…the everlasting road king is here to raise dust on the silver screen with the ongoing Harley Davidson film festival at PVR cinema in the city. If you have managed to dream about it, the HD movie festival must have worked like fuel for fire. What is it that you've taken back? The thrill, rise in the adrenaline, fear of death, a kick to do things that you've never done, grit to tread the unknown, a job shift that promises more money so that dreams can be cashed…what does the road ranger trigger? Motorcycle diaries
It is the feeling of being one with the road that instigates and inspires bikers as well as non-bikers to dream of owning the machine. Gurtej Sandhu (23) and his friends from Ludhiana can't stop raving about how the machine is the eighth wonder on this earth. "I had been thinking of buying a Fatboy and this movie fest in Chandigarh has given a strong push to this drive," shares Gurtej who has test driven the bike. "It's out of this world experience; I felt like a warrior, a king and at the same time a one amongst mortals." If you think Gurtej is going overboard in his expression, this young engineering student challenges anyone who comes back disheartened from the HD experience. "I want to own this machine and hit the road. I feel like a rebel," he fills his lungs with oxygen. Blog it
The cult machine has an unimaginable fan following. There are almost 8,500 blogs, 1,20,380 communities on Facebook for Harley Davidson. Interestingly, 66 per cent of Harley Davidson purchasers in 2010 did not have a college degree. Blogs on HD spread the word about the fashionable bike, merchandise and personal experiences. Some of the names include, Dishy Dad, Bubbly Baby and a designer Harley Davidson; Dead at 66; Equal point setting; Designer Harley Davidson Diaper Bag a Fun; Ride It Like You Stole It; There Will Be Hell to Pay; Harley Davidson and God Bollywood dreams
If you are talking about anything big expect the mention of Bollywood! Someone or the other from the fraternity sure has something to with the daring HD. n International Khiladi takes the leap with wife Twinkle Khanna gifting him a custom-made Harley Davidson shipped all the way from USA. n Munna Bhai Sanjay Dutt owned a Harley Davidson that he's gifted to a friend. He plans to order a customised Fatboy bike. Sanju had participated in the HD race in the US with his earlier model. jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Yeh Faasley makes for an engrossing watch
Film: Yeh Faasley Cast: Anupam Kher, Pawan Mlhotra, Suhasini Mulay, Tena Desae, Rushab Rana, Sudha Chandran, Rajendra Gupta, Seema Biiswas, Kiran Kumar, Natasha Sinha Director: Yogesh Mittal After being inundated with punjabified Hindi cinema in the recent past any film that chose to be different would have been welcome. Debut making director Yogesh Mittal's film Yeh Faasley is one such offering. It not only offers a welcome change from the run-of-the-mill Bollywood masala fantasy, it also makes a strong case for aesthetics. Form and content are pretty high on the director's list of elements required for a film to count and Yeh Faasley the solo release this week is strong on both. It's also an engrossing watch! Arunima (Tena Desae) has finished her studies and has returned home to live with her widower father, a successful builder, Devendra Devilal Dua (Anupam Kher). The love and affection between the two appears unassailable till she meets Diggy Raja aka Digvijay Singh (Pawanr Malhotra) who happens to have known her mother, whom she herself has very little memory of. She slowly begins to recollect little nuggets of her childhood and even questions her father, who gives her a story and doesn't want her to follow it up. Arunima wants to learn more about her mother. She takes the help of her friend and lawyer (Rushab Rana) and Diggy to piece together the shocking story of her mother's death. Would the real truth be even more brutal than she can bear? The story is a complex relationship tangle and like the bhul bhulaya in Diggy Raja's palace, it takes a while to get the hang of it. A lot of information in the form of clues are passed around. If you don't pay enough attention to what transpires on screen you could well find yourself outside the entire experience. The narrative chugss off at a slow steady rhythm and then moves to a more involving pace. Yogesh Mittal's narrative is technically superb. He draws you into the story slowly similar to what Arunima experiences in the film and then starts unravelling the puzzles within the plot. Clues are scattered and just when you think there is conclusive evidence to point to one scenario a new clue comes to make the case seem even more puzzling. Yogesh Mittal's narrative adopts a form that is intriguing and exhilarating. Just when you think it's going the linear route, Mital surprises with a flashback. It may be the same scene playing out again and again but the viewpoint is different. The tension increases gradually and reaches a crescendo when the court case comes up. Atul Tiwar, Yogesh Mittal and Rajen Makhjani's screenplay has all the ingredients of a thriller. All the characters present on the scene have something to do with the final outcome, so none of them are wasted. Even the sequence of Arunima's friend's baraat which may seem inconsequential to the main thread, establishes Dua's mercurial personality. The court hearings do look stagey and are run through without due diligence but that can be a case of too little time. What Mittal should have done was cut off the songs, which appeared like breaks in an otherwise free flowing narrative. The performances were first rate. Anupam Kher was chilling and tender, appropriate for Dua, Pawan Malhotra is also first rate as Diggy Raja, and so are the rest of the supporting cast. Even Tena Desae does a good solid job as Arunima. Amitabha Sinha's gritty cinematography also lends believability to the whole proceedings. This may be a small film in terms of budget and star cast but don't be fooled by it's unassuming pedigree. Mittal's product may not have a Baand Baaja preceding it but it sure has the intelligence and technique, both form and substance that most Bollywood products have little or nothing of!
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Ash, Kareena, Priyanka
in run for fun, fearless award
Bollywood beauties Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra are in the run for Cosmopolitan Magazine's fun, fearless awards, to be held in Mumbai on Saturday.
The three actors are competing in Fun, Fearless Female All Time Reader's Choice Award this year. Other categories include — Fun, Fearless Power Couple award, for which the nominees are Kareena
Kapoor-Saif Ali Khan; Hrithik Roshan-Sussanne Khan and Arbaaz Khan-Malaika Arora Khan. There is also a Fun, Fearless Male 2010 Reader's Choice Award, and Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Salman Khan, and Arjun Rampal are competing for the title in this category. The event, in its third edition now, takes place annually in India, Britain and the US. The organisers are expecting a star-studded turnout at the event Saturday at the Taj Land's End, Mumbai. The Fun Fearless Awards are a pat on the back to women (and some special men) from different areas of life-acting, music, theatre, and more. Last year's awards saw a great turnout —Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, and more.
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Mamma Mia! sequel will never happen
Amanda Seyfried has shot down rumours that a Mamma Mia! sequel could one day go into production, saying the script writers have no scope to take the story further. "F**k no! That's never gonna happen. Like, what would they do? What would they write about? How would they get all the actors back?" said the actor. The ABBA stage show became a box office phenomenon when it was transformed into a 2008 film, overtaking Grease as the world's top-earning movie musical after pulling in a mammoth 400 million pounds in global ticket sales. Following the film's success, Seyfried admitted she spread rumours of a sequel around Hollywood because she was desperate to return to her role as lovestruck Sophie. But now the actress has conceded she will never play the part again — as film bosses would struggle to put together a new installment. — ANI
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After the stupendous success of comedy caper Yamla Pagla Deewana, actor Bobby Deol has revealed that work on the sequel to the film has started. "We are definitely coming out with a sequel to the film, it's a dream for us to make a sequel but the work is still on so I can't say much about it. Meanwhile, I am just enjoying the success of the film," Bobby said at the launch of model-turned-actors Milind Soman and Rahul Dev's fitness and spa centre, Breathe in Mumbai. — IANS
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Natalie Portman accused of popularising premarital pregnancy
Oscar winning actress Natalie Portman, who is expecting her first child with fiance Benjamin Millipied, has been blasted by political commentator Mike Huckabee for getting pregnant out of wedlock. The 29-year-old who won the Academy Award this year for her role as a troubled ballerina in the psychological thriller Black Swan, was criticised for being a wrong role model for young Americans, by the former Arkansas governor on a radio show. The Fox newshost said that the actor is portraying a distorted image of parenthood as unlike her many American single mothers cannot afford to raise a child alone. "One of the things that's troubling is that people see a Natalie Portman or some other Hollywood starlet who boasts of, 'Hey look, you know, we're having children, we're not married, but we're having these children, and they're doing just fine," Huckabee said on radio show hosted by Michael Medved. "But there aren't really a lot of single moms out there who are making millions of dollars every year for being in a movie. And I think it gives a distorted image that yes, not everybody hires nannies, and caretakers, and nurses. Most single moms are very poor, uneducated, can't get a job, and if it weren't for government assistance, their kids would be starving to death and never have health care," The Israel born actress is believed to be expecting a boy and is due to give birth this summer. — PTI
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Tarot TALK
ARIES: Your ability to remain cool during volatile situations will bring success. However, some upsetting conditions or pressures will make a health problem resurface. That will probably need immediate medical attention. Tip of the week: Think before you speak to avoid misunderstandings. Lucky colour: Sky blue.
TAURUS: Your finances are better than ever and all disputes have been settled. Despite this, you are not really happy. This is because what you really want is missing. You need a break. Go for a holiday and do some soul searching to feel good. Tip: Restore ties with business people with whom you have been out of touch for so long. Lucky colour: Metallic grey. GEMINI: Opportunities are knocking on your door. Seize them. One of your relatives might experience financial difficulties and require you to bail him out, make sure you don't get carried away. On the health front, you'll be feeling sick. Tip: You have well-wishers around who will give you sound advice. Lucky colour: Silver. CANCER: After a period of suffering or failure, you will find happiness. Money is on its way in the form of dividends or profits. You will, however, experience dizzy spells or health problems caused by stress. But this is only a temporary phase. Tip: Try for a breakthrough in your troubled relationship. Do not go for a break-up. Lucky colour: Royal blue. LEO: When you least expect it, you will be assisted in your finances, profession or social life. Money will come in through work that you like. A financial problem that caused you a lot of worry, pain or anxiety will be resolved. Tip: Do not let opposition faze you when you decide to walk the path you wanted to. Lucky colour: Crimson. VIRGO: You are reeling under the pressure of insurmountable problems. Sudden acquisition of money and the opportunity to advance in your profession will bring some happiness. Those recuperating from an illness should slow down. Tip: Extend your circle of friends as people are your best bet against a hostile situation at work. Lucky colour: Deep red. LIBRA: Someone will become the unexpected catalyst for a brand new business venture or an opportunity that could increase your earnings substantially. There will be emotional discussions between you and a family member. Tip: Dare to accomplish those tasks which normally take up a lot of time. Lucky colour: Peach. SCORPIO: Your work output will increase and people are going to seek you for your skills. Recognition and financial success are also coming your way. An old flame will re-enter your life. There may be routine check ups or tests. Tip: Dare to accomplish those tasks which normally take up a lot of time. Lucky colour: White. SAGITTARIUS: Money will be pouring from all corners. Those undertaking creative pursuits, or new projects, will find success instantly. If you are planning a trip or vacation you will have to cut it short or postpone it. Avoid stress; it will affect your health. Tip: Capitalise on your strength and do not trust others. Lucky colour: Turquoise. CAPRICORN: Your finances are dipping low because every time you turn around, another bill or expense comes up. Your prayers will be answered shortly. Have patience. Cards indicate eye problems like an inflammation or infection. Tip: Do not divest assets or transact in uncertain matters. Lucky colour: Violet. AQUARIUS: Projects that were not working out will get straightened out. Discussions and meetings will keep you busy all week. Finances will stabilize and internal conflicts will come to an end. Aches and pains will keep you down. Tip: Be careful not to go in too many directions at the same time. Lucky colour: Sea green. PISCES: There's a lot on your mind. Take sometime out for yourself, sort your thoughts, only then go ahead with any new plan or venture. An unexpected development, like a lie or infidelity will destroy your trust in the one you love. Tip: Do not play into the hands of a shrewd set of colleagues. Lucky color: Pink. |
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In 1901, William S. Harley came up with a blueprint of an engine that was intended to fit in a bicycle. He was 21 years old at that time. Three years later, William and Arthur Davidson worked in a factory with dimensions of 10X15ft made of wood, where the first ever Harley Davidson motorcycle roared to life.
