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Making of a writer
Summing up “The listeners riveted to a scintillating conversation with Manju Kapur who was quizzed about her books, her likes and dislikes, and her work habits by Aradhika Sharma,” says Manju
Jaidka, chairperson, CSA. A panel discussion on ‘Literature in a Globalised Context’ brought together four eminent scholars on Sunday. Annual round-up of the activities of the CSA marked the culmination of the year's activities. It ended with the audience praising the efforts of the
Akademi, appreciating its role in bringing zest to the intellectual life of Chandigarh.
For established chronicler of the Indian middle class Manju Kapur, writing did not happen till she entered her forties. It was after the birth of her youngest one that she decided to give writing a try. “I was a teacher, a wife and a mother, but I was looking for something more of my own,” shares Kapur who was in Chandigarh to be part of the Summer Bonanza organised by the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi (CSA).
A teacher and voracious reader, what made Kapur write? “Indian writing was flourishing then. My friends were writing. This was not a tale from far but happening right in my backyard,” says Manju who set a limit of two years to try something that she was not sure if she could accomplish. Two years turned to three, four, five and it was by the eighth year that Difficult Daughters hit the bookstores in 1998. “I wanted to put in my best efforts, so took this long,” clarifies Kapur. The novel was received very well. “I was astonished. It even got me the Commonwealth Award for the Eurasian region. I wasn’t even aware that an award like that existed,” she shares. A Married Woman, Home, The Immigrant and the latest Custody followed. Released last month, Custody is an engaging portrayal of marriages that disintegrate and the battle for custody of the children that ensues. Just like Kapur’s earlier works, Custody highlights the changing Indian urban middle class; the theme this time is the angst underlying modern marriages. Is she partial to any of her characters? “I am partial to each one of them for they are a part of me. Had I not empathised with them, I would not have been able to write them,” she says. After Custody, Kapur is already working on her next book. Some 61,000 words already into it, Kapur expects it to be ready in the next three years. Leading a content, retired life with her husband and family in Delhi, Kapur divides her time between writing and gardening. The mornings are devoted to writing in her study with wooden floors that overlook the garden, the rest to gardening. “I love looking after the huge garden that we have,” shares Kapur. Reading still remains a passion. She grew up on classics and much of American literature that she had access to in her four-years of schooling in America. Today, she follows most of English, American and translated European and Japanese works, with Haruki Murakami amongst the few of her favourites! A ‘perfect, quiet’ life is what Kapur is leading and loves, “I am content with this uneventful, no travelling, no socialising life that brings no unpleasant surprises with it.” Yet, there is something that disturbs Kapur . “I don’t understand much of what all gets published today. I agree that everyone can write but I am not sure if all of it is worth publishing,” says Kapur, who wishes whatever goes for publishing should at least be grammatically correct and edited. Reading is what she suggests to budding writers. “Like every art, one needs to know the tools of writing. A vast exposure to ‘good books’ and practicing every day is what I advise,” signs off
Kapur! mona@tribunemail.com |
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Let the child be
Had this short film come before Brangelina went on an adoption spree, the world might have reacted a bit differently to their generous act! Contrary to the usual belief that adopting a child ensures him or her a bright future, the film, Raju, takes a telescopic view of the actual situation.
It is about a child adopted by a German couple from an orphanage in Kolkata. They gradually realise that more than the materialistic pleasures, it’s the child’s environment that’s dear to him. “Nobody before this film would have thought that adoption has another side to it,” says Taranjit Kaur, who plays the role of a warden in the film and is also the casting director. Trained at the Indian Theatre Department, PU, Taranjit has worked in various productions of Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry. Beginning her career from parallel cinema rather than the mainstream, she says, was a calculated risk. “I would any day prefer to do a serious film to dancing around the trees. Any cinema is commercially viable if it has enough substance.” The fact that the film will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival proves the fact. “If there was a Devdas and Road Movie at the Cannes, there was also a Firaaq, an absolute art film. Film festivals like this don’t differentiate between films on the basis of their content. It’s the quality that matters.” Coming back to the film Raju, it has already been to a dozen film festivals. “Nobody makes an effort to understand how would a child adapt to the new environment, new found siblings, friends… not just the foster parents, others also need to adopt the child.” The film, thus, discourages the practice of adoption of Indian children by Europeans. The 25-minute flick sends across the message effectively. It also talks about the malpractices of child trafficking and child labour. “The idea is to educate people that taking the child out of his comfort zone is detrimental to his or her mental growth. Why can’t a child be adopted along with his environment?” The solution suggested by the film is to let the child stay in the city where he is but make provisions of better education and improve his living conditions. Hope Cannes will take the movie to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolia as
well! ashima@tribunemail.com |
Bollywood star Salman Khan, also known as the Hindi film industry’s enfant terrible, says he wants to help workers in filmdom by sharing his income and also work for the underprivileged in society. “Right now, I want to give a part of my earnings from the film that I will start to workers of the film industry,” Salman says. He added that the amount was not fixed yet. “It can be half of the remuneration; it can be one per cent.” “Even if everyone gives half a per cent (of their remuneration), it will be huge money. “The government takes 30 per cent from the industry plus the entertainment tax. Where does the money go, I don’t know. I know that the money, whatever small percentage we give, should go to the workers of the industry,” said the actor who gave two back-to-back hits with Wanted and Dabangg. The 45-year-old actor says he will first strategise his initiative and take action. “I will have to sit with the heads of the (film workers’) associations and find out where the maximum amount of money is required. That’s where my money will go,” said Salman whose Ready will hit the screens on June 3. Directed by Anees Bazmee, Ready is a remake of a Telugu comedy of the same name and also stars Asin Thottumkal who also teamed up with him in London Dreams. The actor’s life has been dotted with legal troubles and other unpleasant incidents — if he was involved in a hit-and-run case and blackbuck killing, he has also been known for picking up fights with fellow actor Shah Rukh Khan and allegedly hitting his girlfriends. But it seems now Salman has left them behind and is directed to noble causes. In fact, he says he will mix work with social work by utilising some time and money for underprivileged people while promoting a film. “I haven’t started publicising the film (Ready) yet. The promotions are being finalised. The new funda is that you need 15 days to promote a film. Whenever these 15 days come, I will make sure there are 15 to 20 places where I can go and help those people under Being Human and come back,” said Salman referring to his NGO Being Human. “When I go to these places, I will see who needs money and help. This money will not go to the administration. It will go directly to those kids who need it. Two or three operations will happen every day. When you go out for something like this, let’s not waste time by just smiling. That’s the biggest fraudulent act one can ever do,” he said. The actor has planned to reserve a sum of the promotional budget to accomplish his charity work and hopes other actors will catch on. “You are going to special children, underprivileged children, cancer patients and giving just a smile. What after that? I hope people, after me, catch up to this one thing and hope there is a competition on how much charity they do while going for the promotion of their film. Instead of spending money on promos, PRs and all that stuff, let the money go into the country,” said Salman. — IANS
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Notes from the heart
The ghazals genre of light classical music used to be the favourite of a niche audience. Today, ghazals have an ardent fan following in almost every city in India. So, when it’s about the concert of Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh, there has to be a swarm of fans queuing up to be a part of the rare experience. In Chandigarh, to sing at Bazm-E-Mohabbat, an event organised by an NGO Prarambh at the Bhargava Auditorium, PGI, Jagjit Singh sang some of his favourite ghazals and kept the audience engaged.
“Though art lovers have managed to cultivate a rich taste for good music, takers for ticketed charity shows still have to come up,” opines Jagjit Singh. Paying tributes to Gurydev Rabindranath Tagore and legendary Punjabi poet Shiv Batalvi on their anniversaries, he said, “During earlier times, littérateurs mirrored the ethos of the society in their creativity.” Accompanied by an array of accomplished musicians of Bollywood, he started the show with Bhiv Batalvi’s Ik Shikra Yaar and Maien Nee Maien both submerged in melodic tranquility. There after he bared the intensity of theme and thought in classic Urdu ghazals like Samna Aaj Unse Hona Hai Choundvi Ki Raat, Baat Niklegi toh, Kagaz Ki Kashti Tumne Badle Hamse. The audiences were left spellbound as the musical genius rendered these popular ghazals in his baritone. He brought alive the delicacy of phrase and depth of emotion when he sang the couplets of various popular poets. To keep the audience entertained, he also in between cracked some jokes. He also doled out popular Punjabi numbers much to the delight of audience. |
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Lace it up
Lace has transformed into the most pronounced fashion statement this season. Though Kate Middleton's lace wedding dress has only accentuated the trend, it is nothing but an extension of the sheer fabric that has firmly cemented itself as an independent fabric from some time. And before she adorned the lace, Hayden Panettiere, Helena Christensen and Nicky Hilton have also popularised it.
So, what follows is the evolution of lace as a fashion trend, which will also be ushered along by Kate's impeccably hand-engineered lace bodice. Though lace is being used everywhere from tops, shirts, skirts, kurtis and suits, the trend in lace this season is to be romantic but not over-girly and sensual. "Lace can be beautifully crafted into a garment. Luxury is one fashion statement that needs poise to be worn, a lace is defiantly the latest trend to make way into the wardrobe. Kate's wedding gown has made lace viable for bridal wear. But one has to be sure not to go overboard if using it as an embellishment on the garment," says fashion designer Abi Singh. He says, "One must remember lace isn't an added detail of a garment, it is the garment in itself. And, thus we have lace skirts and lace dresses." We did a round up of the market to inform you about the places for laces in town. From the stretch to all-over lace, there is antique-style lace, fabrics that look like a more traditional needle or bobbin lace (even if they're machine made), net lace and well, these days you have a variety to choose from (Sector 35-D's inner market and sector 21 is full of shops that sell laces). Used in varied mediums and stylings, we saw 70's bohemian lace and even coloured lace on the international fashion runways. It can be used in full looks and also as a detail with trims and embellishments. Lace was even used on accessories with special techniques such as laser cut-outs and appliques within shoes and handbags. "It's more of the Elizabethean-style laces, which are in these days. Though experimentation is always welcome, neon and bright candy colours, the current international rage will be less seen here, since its summers. Expect coloured lace in suiting, dresses and feminine skirts mostly paired with spring's bouquet of floral fabrics and trims," says designer Nida Mahmood. Well, when thinking about this classification, move past Madonna's 1980's and focus on a modern approach. Think ladylike. Think frill rather than pairing with graffiti prints and converse high tops. Lace is for sure the new face of fashion. |
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Summer trouble
Bharti Malhotra (24) has been going through embarrassment due to her body odour. It has also crushed her confidence, especially after she was gifted a pack of deos on her birthday. Many people like her suffer from body odour, but there is no need to despair, say experts who give their reasons for the predicament and suggest helpful tips.
Sweating is not the only reason for body odour, but lack of hygiene, stomach disorders and eating too much non-vegetarian food could also cause it. So, a few changes in diet and lifestyle can help one deal with this problem too, say experts. A botox job could also help tackle excessive sweating. "One has to make some lifestyle improvements, like eating a healthy diet and avoiding pungent food items such as onion and garlic and bathe twice a day. One can also use products that contain aluminium hydroxide, which help in absorbing sweat," says Madhuri Agarwal a dermatologist. In some people, pungent body odour is part of their genetic makeup. "The presence of odour indicates an underlying condition, which could be either bacterial overgrowth or triggered by hormonal changes in the body. The former is caused due to lack of proper hygiene. The latter, however, is a natural process in case of teens and young adults," dermatologist Vandana Chatrat says. "The type of body odour is also characterised by the type of bacteria present. This problem is fairly common in summers because sweating increases during hot and humid weather, which are favourable for bacterial growth," she says. Agarwal says that the bacteria present on our skin surface, such as under arms, produce enzymes called lipases that break down lipids in the sweat. The breakdown products produce the odour in sweat. There are some who sweat in winter as well. "Normally, a healthy person's sweat is odorless, but in some the sweat has a sharp, uneasy odour. This is called bromhidrosis and the person suffering from it will have body odour throughout the year irrespective of the season," she said. Sweating also depends on underlying medical conditions. Maya Vedamurthy, Chennai-based dermatologist from RSV Skin Clinic, says, "People suffering from typhoid emit a characteristic body odour, diabetic people have a fruity body odour and there are some who suffer from Fish Odour Syndrome (Trimethylaminuria)." "Obese people also tend to sweat more and produce more body odour. In the above-mentioned conditions, it is important to get to the root of the problem and identify what exactly causes excessive sweating," she added. Excessive sweating is not only embarrassing for the person, it troubles the person sitting close to them. So how can one deal with this issue? "It is important to identify the exact cause behind the body odour. Reducing body weight in case of obese people helps in dealing with this problem. On a daily basis, one can use anti-perspirants or deodorants. In case of severe sweating, one may be given prescription oral medication to curb it," said Vedamurthy Apart from this, one can take the route of botox injections as well. "One can take botox injections for treating one's sweat problem. It reduces sweat production by decreasing the ability of sweat glands to produce in the particular area (where it is injected). The results last anywhere between six to nine months and the person can remain carefree after just one session," said Vandana Chatrat. "So, with just one session of botox treatment the patient gets relief for almost a year from excessive sweat and body odour. This can cost about Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 and the results appear from the second week of taking the injection," she added.
— IANS |
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How about a 17-day trip around the moon?
If you are ready to fork out millions of dollars for an unusual vacation then the moon might just be the place. Space Adventures, a Vienna, Va, firm that has emerged as the world's first true space-travel agency, is working with Russia's Space Agency to devise a 17-day trip that includes a stop at the International Space Station before venturing on a trip around the moon and back, officials said.
More precisely, a Space Adventures forecast requested by NASA and Boeing, among others, suggests that 140 private citizens will have reached orbit by 2020, thanks in large part to new, privately funded rockets and capsules set to come online in the latter half of the decade. The tally does not include passengers taking suborbital flights with companies such as Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic. "Realistically, having 140 individuals fly by the time 2020 rolls around is a pretty darn big accomplishment," Christian Science Monitor quoted Eric Anderson, chairman of Space Adventures, as saying. "If you extrapolate out with the same multiple, you might find that by the 2020s, there might be a couple of thousand or more people flying to orbit," added Anderson. As currently envisioned, the trip would take place in two phases. Passengers would first travel to the International Space Station, where during a 10-day stay they would become acclimated to living in microgravity. While they stare out on Earth from the station's new cupola, Russia would launch the additional service module. The tourists and their pilot would return to their Soyuz capsule, leave the station, and rendezvous with the module.
— ANI |
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Your fitness is vital for your partner!
Researchers from the University of British Columbia and Pennsylvania State University tracked the emotional and physical histories of more than 1,700 older couples over a 15-year period, using data from a major US survey. Participants ranged in age from 76 to 90 and many had been married for more than 40 years. In individuals and couples, the researchers found a strong relationship between "depressive symptoms" (unhappiness, loneliness and restlessness) and "functional limitations"- the physical inability to perform such basic tasks as climbing stairs, picking up objects, cooking and shopping. "This study shows how important marital relationships can be in determining old age health," said lead author Prof Christiane Hoppmann of UBC's Dept of Psychology. "Being married for a long time is a very specific situation, it really ties your lives together," said Hoppmann, whose previous research has explored happiness in older couples. "These findings show just how interdependent, emotionally and physically, long-term couples can become," she added. The study has been published in the American Psychological Association's journal Health Psychology. — ANI
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Vidya Balan is a versatile actress and she is extremely sweet in real life. She flashes her pretty smile endlessly and throws no tantrums. She is down-to-earth and has a sense of humour. The pretty lady talks about doing adult films, her upcoming projects. Your films are getting adult certificates. How can children watch your films? (Laughs). I know my last films were certified for adults and the children were not allowed to watch them. I am sure today's kids are smart and they must have watched it anyway. So how do you connect with kids? I believe I have connected with them via Paa, Munnabhai and many of them loved Bhool Bhulaiyaa. After Paa, many people told me I should do such roles because I make the perfect mother onscreen. I don't mind doing any role but the script should attract me. What kind of response did you get after Ishqiya? It was same as other films. But many told me "I never thought you could be so hot" and I just couldn't stop laughing. Before Ishqiya, comments were like "You make the perfect wife" and after Ishqiya I was suddenly perceived as hot. Yes, I got many calls from industry people for my performance and I just hope to get better with each film. Ishqiya's clever and seductive Krishna was not an easy character to play. Once the camera goes off, how is Vidya Balan? I don't carry the character home or at least I try not to. But mostly when I am shooting outdoors, when I don't have to come back home, I love to remain in the character as it helps me. When I am with my family, I am the real Vidya Balan who loves to get pampered by her family, who loves to eat food cooked by her mother, who sits and talks about everything with her father. You have a big crush on SRK since your teenage days... My crush on SRK can never be over as Shah Rukh Khan is someone whom you can't get over. Even today whenever I meet him I make sure I click a picture so that I can show my kids that I worked with SRK (smiles). He is every woman's dream boy as he is the best romantic actor and superstar. Recently we read that you are dating Siddharth Roy Kapoor. Is it true? I love his name because it's similar to SRK (laughs) He was the producer of No One Killed Jessica. We really bonded well and that's it. What's next? The Dirty Picture which will again get an adult certificate so kids can't watch it. It's based on Silk Smitha's life and I am very excited about doing this film as it's giving me a wide platform to show my talent. Then there is Sujoy Ghosh's kahani about a pregnant single woman and how she deals with the world. — HRM
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Luv Ka The End marks a new beginning in pretty-young-thing Shraddha Kapoor's career. Shakti Kapoor's daughter made her debut in Teen Patti last year and now she has a three-film contract with Yash Raj Films' Y Films. She talks about her latest movie and career aspirations. So how is life treating you? Life has been absolutely amazing. Things only keep getting better. Working with Yash Raj Films so early in my career has been a dream come true. I am also free to take up other projects alongside this one. It is the best platform anyone can get. Tell us about your director Bumpy? Bumpy is absolutely crazy and a lot of fun. You will die laughing when you spend time with him. He is the hairiest man I know. He makes work fun. He is spontaneous and he has a fresh and young vision. He does the most bizarre things. He is unique and he brought out some different aspects in all our personalities. Are you and Rhea similar in nature? My character Rhea Dayalas in Luv Ka The End is simple and sweet, so am I. However, after her break-up with Luv, she does crazy things to extract revenge from him. I do not think I can do all that she did. She is a romantic and so am I. We are not completely shy but we are reserved and dreamy. We both love dancing. I am glad I got to dance in this film. What do you want to do in Bollywood? I want to do it all and I want to be a famous, acclaimed, and popular actress of the changing face of Indian cinema. I want to sing, dance, act, direct and know everything there is to know about film-making. In fact, I asked my producer if I could sing a song in LKTE but he had already got Aditi Singh Sharma to sing it and she has done an awesome job. Would you be comfortable doing bold scenes? I do not mind wearing a bikini but I need to get in fantastic shape, first. Obviously, I need to follow the requirement of the script and trust the vision of the director. Everything has to be aesthetic and should not be done simply to lure audiences. Any genre of films you want to try? As I said, I am new and I want to do every kind of film. I am excited about doing comedy. Hope I live up to the expectations that I am Shakti Kapoor's daughter and my Dad is know for comedy. What do you like most about your film? I love everything about it. LKTE captures what the youth and young girls are all about. — HRM
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British actor James McAvoy has no plans to shift base to Hollywood to further his career in the US. The 32-year-old actor insists that he is content to stay in London with wife, theatre actress Anne-Marie Duff and their 10-month-old son, Brendan. "The jobs that I've wanted to do have just happened to not be in America, which suits me fine. I'm from Scotland, and I've already moved once. I don't want to move again. I've got all my pals here and all my family. I've always made my choices on what suits me personally," said the Last King of Scotland star. Despite his stance, McAvoy insists he is ambitious, but does not want to go over-board. "I think I'm as ambitious as most people are, but I purposefully keep it in check. I actively act against my ambitions sometimes," the actor added. — PTI
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Hilary Duff dropped from new Bonnie and Clyde movie Singer-actress Hilary Duff has been dropped from the much-hyped remake of the cult hit Bonnie and Clyde. The former child star was set to play Bonnie Parker in the reprisal of the 60s movie but she will now be replaced with another actress. Although, the name of the new star has not yet been announced, Duff will still be paid even though she is out of the job. Gossip Girl star Kevin Zegers is to remain on and play Clyde Barrow in the project titled The Story of Bonnie and Clyde. The 23-year-old who married Canadian hockey player Mike Comrie in August last year had a much publicised spat with Faye Dunaway, who played the female fugitive in the original movie. The original film was released in 1967 starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as the title characters. When Dunaway heard that her Academy Award-winning role was going to be played by a former Disney star she remarked, "Couldn't they at least cast a real actress?" But Duff later hit back at the Hollywood legend saying, "I think that my fans that are going to go see the movie don't even know who she is. I think it was a little unnecessary, but I might be mad if I looked like that now too." Bonnie & Clyde, about a couple who go from pulling small-time heists to robbing banks, received eight Academy award nominations and won Dunaway an Oscar. — PTI
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They play daredevil spies in the hit Charlie's Angels franchise and Hollywood beauties Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz are no different in real life. The best friends share death-defying hobbies like sky diving and swimming with sharks without a cage. "It's my life, I live it the way I want to," said 38-year-old Diaz about her kamikaze streak. "She's my sister but we bro out and have crazy adventures. I always know that she is game. Most people don't know this but she's very edgy," said Barrymore about the There Is Something About Mary star. When swimming with sharks in Tahiti the friends were not protected by the usual metal cage. "There was no cage. We need no cage," said Barrymore. Diaz is currently appearing in the new movie Bad Teacher, where she plays the pot-smoking, oversexed teacher. — PTI
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GET PHYSICAL
Drink lots of water: Drinking water is simple but can sometimes be ignored. Most people drink fizzy and sugary drinks in summer to quench their thirst, not realising excess sugar leads to lethargy and extra calories. Choose water instead. It helps digestion and quenches thirst better than sweetened beverages. Water keeps the body cool in summers and will help rehydrate the body. If you want something other than water, include salted nimbu pani, chaaj, narial pani. However, try to drink 10-12 glasses of water every day. To inculcate the habit, try out the following tactics: Always carry a water bottle in the car Keep a water bottle on your desk so that you don't forget to drink every half hour Add a twist of fresh lime or lemon for a zingy taste Make it a personal challenge. Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge, and drink it all by the end of the day Eat lighter foods: Opt for foods that are light and cool and avoid heavy and spicy foods. Salads, fruits, raitas...are the way to go. Several food varieties have cooling properties and must be included in the diet like moong dal (green gram), all salads, spices like jeera (cumin), elachi (cardamom), pudina (mint), holy basil (tulsi), kheera (cucumber), lauki, tori, melons, etc. Go in for chutneys like pudina/amla/ mango etc. They add the extra zing to the regular meals, compensate for the non-spicy palate and are also healthy for digestion. Include fresh vegetables and fruits in diet: Fresh vegetables and fruits are some of summer's best healthy treasures. Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet will add health benefits, help beat the heat and will also provide you with a lower calorie meal. Most fruits and vegetables can be eaten freely, without worrying about adding too many extra calories. Do not skip meals: Skipping meals leads to lowering of metabolism, a feeling of dizziness weakness due to the fact that toxin build up on an empty stomach and contributes to lethargy. Dress appropriately for the summer: Wear lightweight, loose fitting clothing in light colours in breezy cottons and other natural fabrics. These are airier than synthetic fabrics. Avoid dark colours, as they absorb heat and make you feel warmer. Opt for open footwear when possible and only wear cotton socks when needed. Always wear Sunscreen: Not only is sunburn bad for the skin and potentially dangerous but it also hinders your body's ability to stay cool. Apply it three times a day. Keep a watch: Avoid going out in the sun as much as possible. Or try to limit your time outdoors. A special caution: as a person ages, their ability to regulate body temperature decreases so older people must pay more attention to this. If exercising outdoors, opt for early mornings or late evenings. (Sachin Kalra is a city-based fitness expert)
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Get cool with Ragini Khanna
Television actress Ragini Khanna aka Suhana from Star Plus Sasural Genda Phool shares her summer fundas and gives sensible tips to her fans on how to beat the heat. What do you like wearing in summers? Love to wear loose cotton clothes as they let the skin breathe. I love light colour clothes like white, pink, peach and avoid wearing black and synthetic clothes. Is there any special food/ beverage that you include in your diet? It's very important to maintain a cool diet during summers. I usually have a lot of water, and fewer cups of tea and coffee, which sometimes lead to acidity. I drink coconut water, as it is a rich source of natural glucose and potassium. I also avoid oily food. Which is your favourite perfume or deodorant? Currently, I am using Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) perfume, which keeps me fresh all day. What is your favourite summer getaway? I am constantly running in and out of hectic shooting schedules, and have never gone on summer holidays but I feel any hill station like Panchgani or northern hill stations like Nainital would be good a summer gateway. Any childhood memories of summer holidays that you would like to share? We used enjoy summers at our home in Mumbai as my cousins used to come at our place during holidays. I have no special childhood memories as such. Where would you go for a date this season? I am not dating anybody and I feel home is the best place to spend time with your loved ones. Some advice about how fans can beat the heat? Drink lots of water, wear cotton clothes and don't forget to apply sun block half an hour before leaving the house. Use sunglasses or caps during afternoons. Traveller’s diary
Siddhant Karnick, aka Siddharth of Pyaar Kii Yeh Ek Kahaani, is an avid traveller who loves visiting places on his bike. He requests his fans, "Before you head out of our country, I urge you to visit places in India. They are truly miracles of mother nature," claims Siddhant. Here is a list of his favourites. Leh Ladakh This is the only place in the world you can get sunburn and frostbite at the same time. It can make anyone look like a master photographer as it presents itself in such pristine beauty. McLeod Ganj This place is close to Dharamsala. It has beautiful mountains and a peaceful aura of the Dalai Lama's monastery seems to overflow into the city and valley. Uttarkhand Truly God's country. The ride up from Rishikesh to Rudraprayag is something only to be witnessed by your eyes and not through a dramatic or vividly descriptive article. Rann of Kutch The first thing you remember is that sky is very beautiful and clear during the night. You can see the Milky way and every seven minutes there's a shooting star. During the day, there are vast lands of nothingness, broken only by a blanket of pink, which at a distance seem like a mirage but up close you can see a million Flamingoes. Coorg Riding through the sanctuaries and coffee estates gives you a feeling of tranquility within. Mother nature pampers your senses to the extent that even mosquito bites feel alright. Now, a film on reality TV
Kushal Punjabi, the winner of reality show Zor Ka Jhatka, is all set to make a film based on the truth behind popular reality shows. The actor, who himself has been a part of seven reality shows, has been researching on the subject for the last three months. Kushal, when contacted, confirms, "Yes, I am making a film on reality TV. After the saas bahu phase, it is reality shows that gave the TV industry a brilliant boom. They gave the television industry great returns. People enjoy watching these shows because they last only for a few months, so retaining the excitement is easier and enjoyable." Talking about how he came up with the idea of this film, Kushal says, "There was one show in which I had made it to the top two but lost due to audience votes. I had the judge's votes on my side and had received good comments from them but still couldn't win. It was then that I decided to explore how the audience votes, who is responsible for counting them, how real are the final results and so on." However, Kushal denies that the film will show reality shows in a negative light. The actor says, "The film is a positive take on these shows and explores the effort that goes into making them. I am open to reality shows as I find them exciting." Anisha shares her love story
Anisha Kapur (Ragini from Sanskar Laxmi) is set to get hitched to beau Mahesh Shetty (Jaydev from Pavitra Rishta) by the end of this year. We get the pretty Anisha to share her love story with us. Anisha confirms, "We will be getting married this year. We first met during the shooting of the show Ghar Ek Sapna.” The actress goes on to say that it was not a case of love at first sight for this couple. Anisha says, "We started off as friends and that is when I realized that he was a nice guy. It was only after that we fell in love." Speaking about what she likes about Mahesh, the actress smiles, "I like everything about him but the best part is that he is a nice person. Everyone in my family loves him too."
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ASTRO TURF
ARIES: The Prince of Pentacles infuses financial stability. Chalk it up to your sparking personality and the lively conversation. Delays can be expected today. Things will clear up and progress by evening. A happy surprise awaits you. Love stars twinkle. Tarot Message: Don't do anything at the cost of health. Lucky colour: Cherry Red. Magic Number: 43
TAURUS: Like the "The Knight of Cups", you are emotional in personal relationship & graceful on social occasions. You are likely to find an ideal partner. Speak your mind. A new love affair will put you in a romantic frame of mind. Tarot Message: Lack of persistence can be disastrous in business matters. Lucky
colour: White Magic Number: 47 GEMINI: Do not get sucked into overtime. Plan some fun and relaxation with friends and loved ones and leave stress city behind. "The Magus" brings change & travel. Today you will be quite amazed to find yourself taking on a more ambitious role. Tarot Message: Don't waste an opportunity by being impulsive. Lucky colour: Turquoise Magic Number: 44 CANCER: Ace of Swords pulls you in opposite direction when making a decision. A yearning for overseas travel and adventure could encourage a career of your choice. A chance meeting with someone might lead to future romance. Adopt a healthier life style. Tarot Message: Keep your eyes on the future as you do so. Lucky colour: Fiery Red
Magic Number: 28 LEO: Some interesting people come into your sphere of business and give you ideas on how to go about financial matters. Avoid spending. Loved ones may not fully understand your needs. Take proper rest. Minor muscle aches may be bothersome. Tarot Message: Don't do anything at the cost of health. Lucky colour: Lotus Pink. Magic Number: 33 VIRGO:
The Prince of Cups brings you to your hopes and desires that you mask with a calm surface. You are good at getting people to express their opinions and keeping your own hidden. Do not bottle up your emotions. Tarot Message: You can make things happen out of the most unlikely circumstances. Lucky colour: Peacock Blue
Magic Number: 36 LIBRA: The Lovers facilitate you to be inspired by new ideas. A surprise phone call could bring you in touch with a friend you have not seen for a long time. An invitation to a party this evening could bring happiness; plus an encounter on the romantic angle might happen. Tarot Message: Do not spend extravagantly. Lucky colour: Silver Grey
Magic Number: 54 SCORPIO: The Priestess infuses promise and commitment in personal relationship. A long cherished dream may come true. A date with your lover will come up. Do not try short cuts as they may misfire. Be understanding and keep in mind the likes and dislikes of your mate. Tarot Message: Spend time meeting experienced people. Lucky colour: Crimson Magic Number: 37 SAGITTARIUS: The prince of Wands comes riding with a promise of power & energy. Lots of secrets revealed can make for an interesting day. This should be a pleasantly sociable day. Activities with your partner are likely to be cheerful. Tarot Message: You can make things happen out of the most unlikely circumstances. Lucky colour: Brown
Magic Number: 56 CAPRICORN: "The Fool' infuses you with courage. Be sure if you really want to hear secrets or rumours about someone. If a family member is not cooperative; refrain from arguing. You find ways to express your creativity & emotion. Focus on health, meditation & yoga. Tarot Message: Don't try to end all the deadlocks at one go. Lucky colour: Ebony
Magic Number: 25 AQUARIUS: Ten of pentacles bode extremely well for relationship & romance. Your ability to communicate effectively will help you to enhance your reputation. Strange undercurrents at home can give rise to all sorts of drama. Women should Indulge in shopping. Tarot Message: Do not let trivial problems haunt you. Lucky colour: Deep Red
Magic Number: 28 PISCES: The karmic, Wheel of fortune, turns in your favour. Do not put up with a headache or a neck-pain, visit a doctor before it gets too late. Get a good night sleep and cancel the late night party. Loved ones will be demanding. Trust your institution while taking decisions. Tarot Message: Capitalize on your strength and do not trust others. Lucky colour: Forest Green
Magic Number: 32
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THE YEAR AHEAD
If your birthday is May 9...
You will achieve professional success before November, which may usher in happiness. Avoid changing your job before December. Hard work and efforts will make you richer. You will
achieve success in the property-related matters. If you are a property consultant, do not get involved in over trading. You will have a good financial position in the first quarter of 2012. Communication and touring with increase incomes. If in a partnership, be wary of your colleague.
Remain vigilant in romance or extra-marital relationships as you may be trapped due to sting operation. However, family life will bring happiness throughout the year.
Lisa Ann who shares the birthday today, was born on May 9, 1972 in Easton, Pennsylvania. In 1993 she began working but she quit the industry. After that she worked as a dancer in various cities. She starred in the movie Who's Nailin' Payling? again as an actress. Larry Flynt had produced the movie. Later it was confirmed that she will star in the sequel of Obama is Nailin' Paylin by Hustler magazine. The movie was called Letterman is Nailin Palin. She also made a cameo in Eminem's music video We Made You. She released the first movie Hung XXX directed by Justin Slayer.
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According to a new study, spouses have a greater impact on their partner's health than previously known. It finds strong associations between the physical and emotional health of older married couples - and provides important new information on the psychological toll of physical limitations in old age.
You will succeed in reassessing your strengths and weaknesses. Your enthusiasm interactions will naturally have a positive impact on your popularity. Socialising will be rewarding this year. It is also a good time to stand back and give your children more independence.