Experimenting mode: DJ Vishal

At the Trafalgar Square in London, working on the turntables is a different experience each time. Play any track; remix it in any which way, experiment with new music forms…there’s nothing that holds back DJ Vishal from trying something new. So, it’s a split screen between how he scratches here and abroad.

And just like him, every DJ who mixes music at parties outside India, introduces a few changes, depending upon the crowd. ‘It’s not for the topographic factors but for the demographics. There, you don’t have people coming up to you every two seconds demanding the song of their choice,’ says Vishal.

Right Track: DJ Abhishek

Pressure to play the best music increases manifold when they work at the console outside India. DJ Sameer explains, “Whenever a DJ from abroad comes to India, he enjoys a celebrity status. The same treatment is meted out to us abroad. People think if a certain disc has invited us from India, we are the best at party music.” So, then begins his homework of understanding the crowd and the in-house music. “In India, it’s certain that people would love either Punjabi or Bollywood music. But elsewhere, we make sure to first learn the in-house tunes that are already popular among people and then mix it with our own music.” Sameer has performed with Jazzy B, Bally Sagoo, Richie Rich and has come up with a different version of their tracks each time.

Since people in the oriental countries love to dance on remixed Bollywood tunes, the party nights are called Bollywood nights. The same becomes Bhangra nights in Canada, England and the US, as people prefer Punjabi music. Adds Vishal, “In India, I would add dhol beats to a Punjabi song but in the US or UK, I would also introduce certain hip-hop beats because I know people are into hip-hop music big-time.” Next on his list in the US is underground music, which is music that’s never officially released in the market. I research about it on the Internet and then add it on the turntable.

Emcee Bawa, who mixes music for a lot of private parties in Dubai adds a lot of Arabian tunes. “The trick is to strike a balance between what new you can offer and the in-house music to make people enjoy the party.”

While partygoers abroad give DJs a lot of liberty to play international music, they also do not take an unpleasant remix kindly. Says DJ Abhishek aka Psyma of Kawa. “One bad song and people lose interest in the party. Since they party a lot, it doesn’t take them much time to realise if the DJ is good or not.” He generally plays the top 40 songs on chart, ‘Every DJ picks the same set of songs, the trick lies in how they make it better and interesting.’

The demand for a variety of music is much more in European countries. Informs DJ Apoorv, “Europeans have exposure to different forms of music like Electronica, Psychedelic, Progressive; they want a bit of all music forms, which means, as a DJ, I need to keep myself updated on every new form. Each time I go aboard, even after 15 years of experience, I know there is no replacement for homework.” Aren’t these enough reasons to give celebrity status to our local DJs?

ashima@tribunemail.com

Menwhopause ‘the name’ that kindles curiosity…because you wouldn’t be able to hold the thoughts together for long, you blurt it pretty much on their face. ‘What’s this name or maybe something like who kept this name.’

While you ready yourself to be taken around the ‘name keeping ceremony’, one of the band members Anup Kutty puts it across in the simplest manner.

“Menwhopause was the name of my quiz team in college. We went by the same name when we started the band.” Such a short end to a story. “We didn’t sit for 10 days at a stretch, brainstorming for hours. We were thinking about the name and Anup dropped in this one, Menwhopause. It was at Austin music festival that we realised that our band was named as one among with 25 worst named bands. Which means a ‘cool’ band name makes a difference but it should have substance too,”Anup provides.

Here they are in Chandigarh to promote their new album Easy on Emi Virgin Records at Kawa-26. Anup Kutty, former editor Maxim India, Randeep Singh (towards the end of the conversation we will remember him as someone who has the best throaty laugh), IP, puppeteer by profession, and two others who couldn’t make it to the city, have stuck together for almost 10 years now. You heard us right…they are still together! “We catch up almost everyday more as friends. We talk about football, gadgets, women and we make music, without any ideology, which you can sit back and enjoy,” Anup shares.

Now that you know they’ve stuck together, and strummed together, you might as well know the latest release Easy is second in the trilogy of albums they plan to make starting with the first called Home. Haze is the next.

You should also update that this is the first Indian rock band to have been supported by the ICCR to play at an international festival, and you definitely need to know that Menwhopause is learning to do business. “The days of ‘royalty’ are gone, sustenance is the word and money makes quiet a difference. We have tied up with a non-profit organisation Swechha to make ecological merchandise. You wouldn’t buy a merchandise with Menwhopause logo until the music is good,” shares the trio. “We want to reach out to maximum number of people, which is possible through downloads and we want to be in rolling condition that will come through business,” they nod looking at each other. Easy, boys you are almost there!

The Department of Income Tax, Chandigarh, will celebrate 150 years of its inception by organising an art exhibition at Punjab Arts Council, Sector 16, Chandigarh, from May 13.

Actor and theatre personality Kirron Kher will inaugurate the exhibition at 5.30 pm. Some of the most significant artists of the country are showcasing their work here. The participating artists are: Paramjit Singh, Arpana Caur, Jatin Das, Raghu Rai, Diwan Manna, Anjolie Ela Menon, Ram Kumar, Dheeraj Chowdhury, Jogen Chowdhury, Sunil Das, Viren Tanwar, S Raj Kumar, Shiv Singh, Prem Singh, Madan Lall and Bheem Malhotra. The exhibition will be held between 11 am and 7 pm.

A nationwide art exhibition commemorating 150 years of Income Tax in Nation Building is part of the celebrations. The exhibition has already been held at Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, Baroda, Bangalore, Delhi and several other parts of the country.

All the art works would finally form a part of the prestigious collection on display at the art hub to be set up at the National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur.

—TNS

Write note: Diana Hayden

Fancy some beauty tips from former beauty queen Diana Hayden? She is to launch her book A Beautiful Truth in September and says it kept her engaged for the last two years.

“I have put my two years of hard work and research into this book. There were days when I used to work for as many as 20 hours. I think after Miss World, it is my book on which I have worked so hard on,” Diana told IANS in an interview.

“Everything in this book is done by me, be it research or anything. The book is like an encyclopaedia for women, who will find information about make-up or body shape in it. So let me clarify that it is not only for models, but for every woman out there,” she added.

Dressed in a white anarkali kurta and fuchsia chudidar, the former Miss World was in the capital for the launch of Allergan’s derma filler - Juvederm XC.

Diana worked in a few Bollywood projects like Ab Bas’ and Tehzeeb and now she is working with TV actor Karan Singh Grover in a new film called Lorie, which is being directed by Pavan Kaul.

“Coincidentally, the movie too will be released in September and all I can say right now is that I loved the script and decided to be a part of it. It is based on a real-life story,” she said.

After making an appearance in the second season of reality show Bigg Boss (2008), she had been dormant of sorts. Was it a deliberate attempt to stay away from the limelight?

“I was never keen on Bollywood. I am a very simple and direct person and all I want is to be happy. I love writing and that is what I was doing when I was not in the arc lights,” she said.

“I am not here to please anyone or compete with anyone. I am here because I am busy doing things that make me happy. I have always believed that life is short and one should enjoy it fully, that is what I am doing,” she added.

Today, winning a beauty pageant is considered the shortcut to Bollywood. So, does she feel that this diverts the focus of the winners?

“I think we are very spoilt. If you look at the winner’s list, we are one of the highest title-holder winners. So I think this should be appreciated rather than putting too much pressure on the contestants,” she said. — IANS

Colors' prime time show Uttaran has crossed yet another milestone as the serial has completed 600 episodes. The show is still doing very well with 5.39 TRP.

Work of actors like Rashmi Desai, Nandish Sandhu and Tina Dutta got highlighted in the serial. Uttaran also bagged several awards at Indian television awards and other award ceremonies. The producer plans to have a success party very soon.

We spoke to Nandish Sandhu aka Veer who claims, "It's a nice feeling to be a part of this show which has done so well for so long. We might have a party very soon, though yesterday mithais were distributed on the sets. I am thankful to the fans that the show is in the top five today despite strong competition. I am thankful to God and the team of Uttaran, who gave me the opportunity to play the character of Veer. Thank you everyone for all the love and support."

Talking about the show's main highlight he says, "Now, for the first time Ichcha and Tapu have joined hands to save my pride and I want the audiences to watch the show and how the story unfolds."

Later we spoke to Rashmi Desai aka Tapasya who was pretty excited. "Six hundred is a huge milestone and I am glad to be part of Uttaran. I am also proud that Uttaran has reached such heights. I enjoy playing the role of Tapasya, which has so many shades from positive to negative. I want to thank the audience who gave me so much love and support," she says.

Tina Dutta aka Ichcha didn't want to be left behind and says, "I am thrilled about the 600 episode mark. I thank all my fans who have loved me as Ichcha."

— HRM

Amrita Rao

Diamond deal

Amrita Rao endorses a jewellery brand. She got a diamond jewellery set from the brand on the occasion of Akshaya Tritaya because some of her jewellery was stolen from the sets of her movie, Love You, Mr Kalakaar. —HRM

Being different: Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra loves doing-challenging roles. From Fashion to Kaminey to What’s Your Raashee to Saat Khoon Maaf, all her roles have been difficult, to say the least and she has shone in almost all of them, irrespective of the fate of the films. She is doing her second film with Ranbir Kapoor and first film with director Anurag Basu. The vivacious actress talks about Barfee...

Bring it on

I take every role as a challenge. I want to do something, which has not been done before and that way I really work hard on my films. Every film is my favourite because I give my 100 per cent to it. I have never ignored any of my films and have given each one equal priority since the day I started working.

A difficult one

I have started shooting for the film and have shot for five days. I must admit that it is quite a difficult task. There is a very thin line between caricature and real. But surely, this role is by far the most challenging that I have come across.

Honesty works

This is my first film with Anurag Basu and I am very excited as I have loved all his films. He is a director who brings his vision alive on screen with honesty. Barfee will be yet another challenging project. He works hard but gives space to his actors. We have met earlier and wanted to work together. Barfee was the perfect script and opportunity for us.

Screen bonding

We enjoyed working while shooting for Anjaana Anjaani and really bonded well. Ranbir is a sweetheart and respects women. He is a charmer and a born actor. He shone in his first film and has only shone brighter with each film. His roles have been so different. It feels great to work with him. We are buddies.

Character assessment

I had been to a mental asylum to observe the inmates to get into the character. I interacted with the people there to absorb their behavioural traits and incorporate it all in my portrayal. I cannot talk much about my character right now. —HRM

Hollywood actress Keira Knightley who was a bridesmaid at her brother’s wedding ended up with a ripped dress, smeared with curry by the end of the big day.

The 26-year-old says that she was the “worst bridesmaid in the world” at her brother’s wedding.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star was at the centre of her 32-year-old sibling Caleb’s nuptials and although she is usually very careful about her clothes, Knightley was clumsy on this occasion.

“I don’t normally spill things down myself but every single drink went down that dress. Then they had a curry buffet at this wedding and the curry went all the way down the dress as well, and then I went to the toilet and I got it stuck in the door and it ripped it all the way down the back,” said the Oscar-nominated actress.

But the 26-year-old screen beauty had a ‘great’ day and loved wearing the plum coloured dress, although she is doubtful she will be asked to perform the role again.

“So I was the worst bridesmaid in the entire world. I’m never going to be asked again,” added the actress.

— PTI

Film: Ragini MMS

Director: Pavan Kripalni

Kainaz Motivala and Raj Kumar Yadav in Ragini MMS

Ekta Kapoor's keenly awaited Ragini MMS has only two characters played by Kainaz Motivala and Raj Kumar Yadav. After Love Sex Aur Dhoka, she treads the small route once again to do something different. The film was shot in just 20 days. Generally a feature film is shot in one, two or maximum three cameras but debutant director Pavan Kriplani shot Ragini MMS with six.

The footage collected on these cameras is enough to make six feature films. This one is a paranormal romantic thriller reportedly inspired by a real life incident. It will be interesting to see Pavan Kriplani's treatment of the story. Watch today at theatres in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Zirakpur.

Nana returns

Film: Shagird

Director: Tigmaanshu Dhulia

After Haasil Tigmaanshu Dhulia is back with Shagird, which stars Nana Patekar. This film is an acid test for Nana Patekar because Patekar in a cop film is always a brilliant idea. Anurag Kashyap also plays a pivotal role in the film. Tigmaanshu Dhulia and Nana Patekar is an excellent combination to watch.

Tusshar woos Rao

Film: Love U...Mr Kalakar

Director: S Manasvi

S Mansavi, an architect-turned-director makes his debut as director with this film. Tusshar Kapoor and Amrita Rao play a romantic couple for the first time. Madhoo makes a comeback. —Dharam Pal

LIBRA: Confidence and good feelings are in abundance. Trust your own instincts. Don't listen to other people as they could have hidden agenda. Plans for a business merger will be successful. Joint finances are apt to expand. Overconfidence can trigger wasteful spending. You may fall in love. Tarot message: Don't leave things to chance. Lucky colour: White. Magic number: 39.

SCORPIO: A bright day. New contracts prove valuable. Communicating with people faraway helps. Think clear. Be on your toes. Relationships with partners are likely to be problematic. Surround yourself with friends and family who appreciate you. Tarot message: Strive for perfection at work. Lucky colour: Yellow. Magic number: 64.

SAGITTARIUS: The day starts on a jarring note. You are unable to keep up with the schedule. Don't rush work. Do one thing at a time. Avoid social gatherings. Your harmonious nature is highlighted as you interact with friends, family and potential lovers. But a compulsion for romance can lead you astray. Tarot message: Take no chances. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 33.

CAPRICORN: Don't project yourself too far into the future. You may have to be strict with loved ones. Students, ask for favours from teachers. Your efforts will bear fruits. A new career, overseas travel, a change of relationship and residential move are all possibilities. Have faith in your intellectual ability. Tarot message: Start afresh. Lucky colour: Aqua blue. Magic number: 40.

AQUARIUS: You get money from an unexpected source. Important business matters can be handled carefully. Be more realistic. Lovers are in a cheerful mood. Formulate your goals and actively pursue them. Be cooperative and willing to compromise. Physical actively with friends will be rewarding. Tarot message: Be honest to your desires. Lucky colour: Green. Magic number: 31.

PISCES: Not much change from yesterday. A house or office move is unlikely. You feel forceful. Control your temper. Tackle children gently. Your workload could weigh you down. You learn to say no. Your private life could get disturbed. Singles find romance. Tarot message: Take one step at a time. Lucky colour: Golden brown. Magic number: 60.

Lillete Dubey (May 13, 1961-Mumbai), born on this day, has performed several times at Tagore Theatre. Lillete Dubey, in addition to acting, is an acclaimed theatre director, television and film artist, and the founder of Theatre Action Group in Delhi. She also directed the play, '30 days in September'.

Her date of birth is a combination of 4 and 8, which is not considered a good one in numerology and secondly the year's number also being 4, 2011 cannot promise a good time for career. She must avoid blue, black and grey colours.