|
|
|
|
|
Old is gold
There are vintage cars and then there are vintage numbers too. Those of you who are not aware these numbers are the smaller digit numbers that catch your eye on the road. When sky is the limit when it comes to owning the most sought after car numbers on the road, there are those who are not waiting for the next series to claim the numbers of their dreams. Those in love with all things 'limited edition' love the old series car numbers. They may own the swankiest new cars but their attachment with that old car series numbers owned by their families has made them retain them car after car. If vintage cars are a rage these are the vintage numbers. "I love the old series numbers for many reasons. First they are easy to remember, secondly the old world charm is hard to resist, thirdly it reminds me of the times my parents belong to," says Imranjot Singh Sekhon, former student of Lawrence School, Sanawar. His family car bears the number PGO 5. "This number PGO 5 was registered long time back for our Mercedes car and to be honest I am as attached to the number as to the vehicle," he says. No wonder, vehicles change, the numbers don't. Sherry Sidhu, a DAV College student says, "We had the number PCK 1 for our old Maruti car way back in 1988. Then we got the number transferred on our new Honda CRV and now it's on our Mercedes. It's a beautiful digit and something I just don't want to give up." Whoever associated heritage only to heirlooms? He adds, "There is a sense of pride associated with the limited edition numbers. Even two of my other vehicles also have old numbers." The fact that money can't buy them ups their charm. Imranjot says, "It definitely has an edge over the new numbers in a lot of ways. They are rare and difficult to get. New numbers can be obtained for a price." Like we said the limited edition psychology works wonders.
Website pages offering buyers and sellers for such numbers are galore. Says Sanjeev Kohli, Registering and Licensing Officer, says, "They are legal but there's a certain procedure that needs to be followed. For instance if someone buys a brand new luxury car and wants it registered with his old number. You can retain that number and for your old car we can allot a random number. One needs to get prior permission from the authorities concerned." Many tag it as a trend, which is here to stay. Khushdeep Mann, a former DAV College student says, "It's a personal choice. I feel these numbers look beautiful on the road, are catchy, easy to recognise, recall and remember. For me auctioned numbers don't carry the same kind of appeal." He's talking of his PJR 29. The number that he associates with his automobile as much he does with its brand. "Anything that goes under the hammer, is available for everyone and doesn't hold any attraction for me," laughs Sukhpreet Toor, a MBA student. "Give me 50-year-old alphabets any day than the latest series that's yet to be auctioned.” He adds, “I'd rather own a legacy.” manpriya@tribunemail.com
|
|
Backstage boys
The auditorium comes alive just as the curtains go up and the lights focus on the main actor. There are no retakes, no breaks and no make-up artists who will come running to give touch-ups. Such is the world where the stage is in the hands of the actors. The recent Graduate Showcase by students of the National School of Drama, New Delhi, was one such event which executed six flawless performances one after the other. Behind the actors stands a production and technical team. The technical head for these shows was Souti Chakraborty. With his vast experience in theatre, he brought with him a wealth of learning. Elaborating on the extensive work involved in producing a play he said, "A good production should have a flawless backstage. The work for a production begins at least 15-20 days in advance." More than looking after the problems, the focus remains to deal with the problems, which may come up later. The technical schedule begins with unloading the truck and finishes once the stage packs up. As laborious as it may sound, the work remains an unending task of retaining the design, despite the budget constraints, he says. "The geography of space has to be always kept in mind for a good production. The plot tends to remain the same, but spaces vary. We have to always make amendments," he adds. Moving to the other aspect of dramatic art, Parag Sharma, production manager for NSD, says, "The budget is always limited. No matter how lavish the stage may be, we have to work within our pocket," he says. The job division involves the lighting, the sound, the props, costumes and set designing. "To ensure seamless execution, only two departments work on the stage. It creates better efficiency," shares Shouti. All processes are research oriented and demand a decent set up. "Yes, crisis management is a big thing. Beyond the action on stage, the real action goes on backstage," Shouti says. He is glad to have the experience and the training to guide students. Theatre performances require seasoned actors, a strong plot and all this adds to a captivating theatre act when added with the technical backdrops. "The impact of the lights is something that adds to the effect," Parag says. There are many spaces, where the audio and sound lacks the essential professional touch. “In several instances, the makers focus on the seating and the stage, ignoring the lighting. Fortunately, the experience has been great in Chandigarh," Parag smiles. So, the next time you run around trying to arrange the passes for a play, remember, behind the actors, the light and the sound are teams working day and night. vasudha@tribunemail.com
|
|
Kareena is a sweetheart: Deepika She came into the spotlight with her very first film, Om Shanti Om. It was no longer only SRK’s or Farah’s film, but became Deepika Padukone’s as well. She was noticed for her talent, looks and jhatkas. With every passing year, this newcomer has grown, and has become the queen bee of Bollywood. With experience on her side, she is a tough competitor for her contemporaries. Her latest film, Aarakshan, is all set to release. About Aarakshan I don’t think Aarakshan is a male-dominated film. There may be several male actors, but my character is as strong as the others. I play the girl who is torn between the love of her life and her father. She is a strong woman and portrays how one’s will power can help bring a change in society, which is very important. Saif Ali Khan I think audiences love our chemistry. It was a coincidence that during the shooting of Love Aaj Kal We did not know that we were being paired opposite each other. It’s sheer coincidence, but if audiences are happy with our chemistry, we are happy to work on it. We share a good rapport with each other, since we have acted in several films together. Ayan Mukherjee’s film Before the news can come to me, I learn about it from the media. As far as I know, Ayaan is still writing the script. Ranbir and I are open to working with each other, but the script should be strong, and should suit us. Girlfriends in Bollywood Let me clear one thing: to have girlfriends in Bollywood is quite tough. You don’t get time to meet them, until and unless you are working with them. I meet Kareena sometimes; she lands up on the sets while we are shooting. She is a sweetheart, but we don’t hang out so much, as she is busy with her films and I am with mine. I have hardly met Katrina or Priyanka except at parties. I am very good friends with Shahana Goswami, because we have worked together. Just because we don’t hang out doesn’t means we are not friends or we have enmity. Future films I have an interesting line-up of films for at least two years. What I want now is for Rajnikant to be back on his feet and to start the shooting for Rana. My schedule is free for Rajnikant; he just has to get healthy. Following it is Cocktail and Desi Boyz. I am very excited about shooting for all these films, but I am currently excited about Aarakshan. Amitabh Bachchan You know, I am very lucky to be able to work with Amitabh Bachchan. It is a dream come true. He is absolutely brilliant, punctual, never comes late, and revises his script at least five times. In spite of being a senior person in the industry, he will listen to you. Like a magnet, he wants to learn things. His presence gives you a boost of energy. I am obliged to play his daughter in Aarakshan. He is truly a superstar. Dream Role I never had a dream role in mind. The roles I’m getting now are dream roles for me. It’s like a dream come true; I never expected to get thm. — HRM
|
Emraan Hashmi has finally achieved the success that he deserved all along. He has done films with the likes of the Bhatts, and has also delivered hits such as Once Upon a Time in Mumbai outside of the camp. Murder 2, in which he was the solo male lead, has been declared a blockbuster. His upcoming films Shanghai, The Dirty Picture and Daayan are with Dibakar Banerjee, Milan Luthria, and Vishal Bhardwaj, respectively. He also has some big projects with the Bhatts. The talented actor talks about his movies, acting, and directors. Murder 2’s success People may have expected it to be similar to Murder, but it was totally different. The thrill and suspense in the film made the audiences wonder what’s next, and that’s what people have liked about the film. Competing with self Today, Bollywood has grown up, and there are challenging and tough roles for everyone. No one could have imagined me doing Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, but when it released, people loved me in my character. The director is important but, ultimately, it is the actor who performs. I know there is huge competition, but I don’t believe in external competition. My competition is with me. I should work better with every film, and that’s what I am aiming for. Future films In 2011 and 2012, you will be seeing me playing different characters. All of them are challenging and different from what I have done till date. I am currently working on The Dirty Picture, and am quite excited about it, as it’s a totally different theme. You will see me as a surprise package in it. Vidya Balan is one of the best actress of Bollywood today, and I am glad I am working with her. You get to learn from your co-stars, too. Then, there is one other film which I am excited about – Shanghai. For the first time, I am working with Dibakar Banerjee, whose films I have always loved to watch. He makes films with his own vision. It’s going to be a complete image-breaker of a film for me. Directors cut Today, I am open to all kinds of films, and want to work with as many as directors as I can in Bollywood. I am working with Dibakar for the first time, and it was a great experience. He doesn’t believe in wasting time, and pursues his own vision. Milan is a great director too, and I am enjoying working with him. I am loving working with new and different directors as well as old ones, such as Kunal Deshmukh and Mohit Suri.
|
|
James Franco to turn art teacher Hollywood actor James Franco is set to add yet another feather to his hat - he is turning art teacher for a special one-off seminar The 33-year-old star has directed a short film, is a keen artist and photographer and is also studying several courses at two separate revered US universities. Franco will now utilise his vast knowledge on arts to hold a round-table discussion on “contemporary practice with artists, authors, musicians, curators, theorists and scholars” at New York’s contemporary art gallery MoMa Ps1. The 127 Hours star will host the talks with Milk director Gus Van Sant and his new film project, My Own Private River, will play throughout. Franco will be seen in the remake film Planet of The Apes, which releases in India on August 5. He had earlier announced that he’s rejoining the cast of General Hospital. — PTI
|
|
I grew up on Clint Eastwood’s Westerns: Daniel Craig His latest role of a cowboy fighting aliens is a far cry from the sophisticated and cool “Mr Bond” but Daniel Craig, a Clint Eastwood fan, enjoyed getting dirty in his new film Cowboys And Aliens. “I always wanted to play a cowboy and for me, it was the Clint Eastwood Westerns, like Fistful of Dollars and The Outlaw Josey Wales, the kind of dirty Westerns where they look like they don’t wash,” says Craig. The star, who hopes to visit India in near future, is happy to have a steady fan following for his Bond character here and promises to deliver more with the 23rd outing. “I would love to visit India whenever I get an opportunity. — PTI
|
|
Paltrow desperate for Coldplay
Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow is desperate to get a preview copy of the new Coldplay album.The 38-year-old star, who is married to the band’s frontman Chris Martin, says she is unable to possess the new LP, despite her close connection with the group. The latest album is due to be released in the autumn. The Oscar winning actress has also said that she enjoys being a home-maker. “I enjoy being a mother and staying at home and looking after my kids. I like being able to take the children to school and to make their food and spend a lot of time with them. It’s a much more fulfilling kind of life for me. It’s a lot easier now. I’m happiest when I’m sitting down for dinner with family,” she added. — PTI
|
|
David Beckham wants one more kid!
When asked if the couple is done with the family or would want more children, David said: “We’d like one more. We’ve always said we’d love a big family and five was the number. If we’re lucky enough, then we hope to have one more.” “Victoria’s doing amazingly well, so we’ll see,” says David as saying. — IANS
|
|
Refreshing break
Beyonce has revealed that she took a year off from making music so that she can refresh her mind. “It was beginning to get fuzzy - I couldn’t even tell which day or which city I was at,” she shared. “I would sit there at ceremonies and they would give me an award and I was just thinking about the next performance. “My mother was very persistent and she kept saying that I had to take care of my mental health.“So I went to see museums, ballets, the Great Wall of China and everywhere I had been to but never got to see,” she added. She returned refreshed with album 4, which recently went to No1 on both sides of the Atlantic, and her performances at Glastonbury and T In The Park were a big hit with festival-goers. — ANI |
|
My baby 'smells amazing': Orlando Bloom Orlando Bloom says that one of his favourite things about his baby son Flynn is his "amazing smell".The 34-year-old English actor became a father for the first time when his model wife Miranda Kerr gave birth to their son Flynn six months ago and he says that he can't get enough of fatherhood, especially his boy's intoxicating scent. "My baby is amazing, even his head smells amazing. His breath, the whole thing, you could eat him! He's a big, beautiful boy. He's great," he said. Bloom and his young family divide their time between Los Angeles and London, and although the Lord of the Rings star loves both the cities, he says that the interest in his private life can be overwhelming in Hollywood. "It's good in LA but I kind of live in London as well. Most of the time I keep it very quiet as I like to be at home and not in the eye of it all. You can't avoid it sometimes in LA unfortunately - I try my best but it's very difficult. "When I'm in the UK, and I'm here more than people would think, I tend to keep a very low profile. I just enjoy being home with my family and mates and stuff," Bloom said. — PTI
|
|
Past perfect Living in Fremont, California, among all prevailing Indian community made Jesse Knutson, a visiting scholar in the University of California, Berkeley, interested in all things Indian. He chose to study Sanskrit language. Jesse was in Chandigarh on Saturday to deliver a lecture on Mahabharata at Maha Kavya Evam Lok Kavya, an event organised by Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi. He shared about his journey with the Sanskrit. Jesse's talk revolved around Mahabharta as a social critique. The inter-relationship between the terms dharma, kaal and yoga was the theme of the lecture. "It's captivating to recover the meaning that's not here today," shares Jesse, a PhD in Sanskrit literature. Intrigued by this language, which is way different than the mundane English prose, Jesse is concerned about its future. "Not everyone would be interested in a classical language but those who are, it's important for such institutions to survive," he says. Jesse suggests having wealthy patrons to back up the language. The event also had Karan Singh talk about folk songs of Haryana and Meenakshi F Paul about the folk traditions of Himachal Pradesh. Karan is hopeful about the future of folk traditions. "It is eternal," he says. Meenakshi's talk revolved around folk interpretation of the epics. "In Himachali folk Ramayan Sita is no hapless woman, but, a controlling one, who engineers the whole situation for the victory of good over the evil," shares Meenakshi. "We at CSA are trying to bring people to literature. Our endeavour is to make sahitya a habit, a way of life cutting across all age groups," shares Manju Jaidka, CSA chairperson. mona@tribunemail.com
|
|||
|
Wooded passion
"Whenever I would look at a tree and tell my wife that the bark looks like a dog, she would laugh at me," says Maj Gen CS Bewali. Today, the same image of a dog has found place as part of an exhibition at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Chandigarh. "My father was a hunter and stuffed animals fascinated me. It was in 1975 when I was in Gharwal and found a piece of wood, which became the basis of my present passion," he says. Preserving his memory of holding a star fish in his hand, Bewli has retained the root of tree as a part of his collection. "Looking at the roots, I knew I had to save it," he adds. Walking through the exhibit of browns and all possible shades of wood exhibits, Bewli says his favourite piece is that of a dinosaur. Made out of a single smooth bark of wood, it is an exact replica. "I made it 25 years ago and it was one of the first pieces that I made, so I am attached to it," he says. Through his understanding of nature, Bewali wants to give the message of peace and love for animals. "Humans have polluted the nature, animals hardly do harm to them." he says. Moods of life
To savour the passion in every moment is what Manveen Anand and Nitish Gupta believe in. An exhibition by the couple 'Moods of Life' on at Alliance Française, Chandigarh, stands testimony. Manveen says, "It's basically trying to capture the moments we tend to miss in life," he smiles. On his agenda is to ensure education for the underprivileged. "The exhibition is a fund raiser for the NGO, Global Environment Concern," he says. The motive is to bring the artist community together on one platform and raise consciousness about the environment. "Exhibits like these tend to be a win-win situation as we promote our ideas and interact with those keen I the form of art," he says. vasudha@tribunemail.com
|
|
GET PHYSICAL
Interval training has been the basis for exercise routines for years. But recently there’s been a lot of buzz about it. Interval Training is nothing more than a way to vary your exercise routine to boost your workout efficiency and progress. Athletes regularly engage in interval training exercises to raise their performance levels. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a sophisticated athlete to enjoy the benefits of interval training.
A simple definition of interval training is: short, high-intensity exercise periods alternated with periods of rest. These higher and lower intensity periods are repeated several times to form a complete workout. Interval training has also been shown to help prevent injuries often associated with repetitive exercise by allowing you to increase training intensity without overtraining or burn-out. Interval Training can be especially helpful in situations where you are trying a new form of exercise. For example, this can be very beneficial when first learning to jog. If you attempt to jog continuously without building up to it, you will probably fatigue quickly and even give up. However, if you begin with intervals of walking interspersed with jogging periods, the workout will be much more enjoyable and effective. While everyone needs regular, moderately vigorous exercise, high-intensity exercise is primarily for people who are already in decent shape and want to further improve their fitness levels. It is not appropriate for older men and women who have fairly low fitness levels, or beginners for whom high-intensity exercise could lead to injury. Since high-intensity exercise means very high heart rates, people at risk for cardiovascular disease should be carefully screened by their health care providers before exercising at such intensities. Benefits l
Saves time-Finding time to exercise is a big problem for most people and if you normally spend an hour and a half in the gym following the traditional sequence, you’ll work yourself just as hard in 45 minutes with Interval Training. l
It’s a great way to get beyond a plateau- When you stop seeing improvements in your physical condition, it’s time to do something new and different. Throwing a couple days of Interval Training into your exercise regimen each week tells your body that it’s time to get over the plateau and make additional progress. l It combats monotony- Once a routine gets boring, you might decide to let go of your exercise program altogether. However Interval Training is never boring, it’s fun, and the time flies by during each session, because you’re working in cycles of high and low intensity work instead of spending a long period of time at any one activity. l Increases your VO2 maximum- VO2-max is the volume (V) of oxygen (O2) that you take with your deepest breath (max). VO2-max is the best measure of fitness and endurance. Increasing your VO2-max with interval training will give you greater endurance for everything you do. l Burns more calories- Interval Training burns more calories than continuous training, not just in the workout itself, but also after the workout. The smaller bouts of intensity allow you to workout longer for a greater volume of work, which equals a greater total caloric consumption. And after all-out intensity training, the stored glycogen is depleted, leaving only fat to burn post-workout. l Good recovery time- High-intensity exercise is impossible to sustain for more than a short duration because it leads to exhaustion. Interval training workouts include adequate periods of rest or low-intensity exercise after each period of high-intensity work. These breaks allow the body to recover so that the next high-intensity period can begin without undue fatigue. This also helps prevent injuries. Here are some tips for making the most of your interval training: l Start out slowly. If you are, a beginner be sure to include modest intensity intervals when first starting out. l Take time to warm up enough before and after workouts. l Build up the number of intensity sessions you include in your workout over time. l Consult a trainer for tips on various intensity routines you can incorporate into your regular exercise sessions. l Avoid
overtraining. Give one day between the sessions. (Kalra is a Chandigarh-based fitness expert) |
|
Ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun are the leading environmental cause of skin complaints, causing skin cancer, sunburn and solar erythema, as well as premature ageing of the dermis and epidermis. Now, a Spanish study has proven that some substances in grapes can reduce the amount of cell damage caused in skin exposed to this radiation. UV rays act on the skin by activating Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). These compounds in turn oxidise macromolecules such as lipids and DNA, stimulating certain reactions and enzymes (JNK and p38MAPK) that cause cell death. Some polyphenolic substances extracted from grapes (flavonoids) can reduce the formation of ROSs in human epidermis cells that have been exposed to long-wave (UVA) and medium-wave (UVB) ultraviolet radiation. “These polyphenolic fractions inhibit the generation of the ROSs and, as a result, the subsequent activation of the JNK and p38 enzymes, meaning they have a protective effect against ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun,” Marta Cascante, a biochemist at the University of Barcelona (Spain) and director of the research project, tells SINC. — ANI
|
|
A new survey has revealed the top 20 tricks women employ to make themselves feel seductive. A simple spray of favourite perfume comes top of the list for helping women feel sexy. A new hairdo and a happy smile also rank highly.Women also hailed settling down into a warm bath, showing off their well-maintained legs and wearing a push-up bra as quick fixes for achieving the “it” factor. The study commissioned by UK’s health and beauty retailer, Superdrug, also revealed that the average woman only feels truly irresistible once a week - usually on a Saturday night. “This poll clearly indicates that while women know exactly what they have to do in order to feel sexy, they obviously aren’t doing it often enough,” a publication quoted Sara Wolverson of Superdrug as saying. “Maintaining a beautiful, polished appearance can take time - something most busy women don’t have enough of. But with a little bit of effort, such as a splash of scent, a pair of fluttering false lashes and a big smile, ladies can feel confident and incredible,” she stated. The study of 2,000 women found more than half of those polled consider a simple spritz of perfume was all it took to make them feel special. More than one third said a new hair colour or highlights made them feel sexy. The poll also revealed that women feel sexier if they spend hours getting ready. Other contributors to a sexy look include waxing, applying an all-over fake tan and straightening or curling hair, exercising religiously, wearing a tight-fitting top, a short skirt and jewellery.—ANI
|
|
Mark Wahlberg wants Entourage film Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg wants to take his hit TV series Entourage to the big screen. The 40-year-old star is an executive producer on the popular comedy drama, which is loosely based on his own early experiences in Hollywood. And he has planned to put up his own cash if the studio bosses take too long to move forward with the project. The show's creator and writer Doug Ellin says, "We're going to do a movie; it's a question of when and how quickly." While Wahlberg adds, "I said if I had to finance it myself, I'd do it." Talk of an Entourage movie has been circulating for some time and the show's stars - Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jeremy Piven, Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Dillon - are all keen to reprise their characters for a movie version. — PTI
|
|
Astro turf
ARIES: "The moon" reveals that you could stretch your relationship a bit too far. Speak your mind to your beloved to clear misunderstanding. Tarot message: Don't be too certain about obtaining a clearance or permission as the process is arduous lot of red tapism. Lucky colour: Ebony. Magic number: 42.
TAURUS: Trying to get some time to yourself could be the hardest thing to today. Relax and a little more tolerant. You will be in a mood to find fault with people; curb this habit. Tarot message: Follow your instinct and don't hesitate to act accordingly. Lucky colour: Purple. Magic number: 30. GEMINI: Teamwork is the key note of the day. Home life will be pleasant. Older people may drum up certain problem. Check your car before you set out for a long journey. Control on drinks. Tarot message: Draw on those inner energies and begin moving from thought to action. Lucky colour: Rusty. Magic number: 64. CANCER: Life is not always bed of roses. Relatives will be sensitive and difficult to get along with. Do not get involved in any land deal. Emotions have to be controlled. Look after yourself now. Tarot Message: The confrontation needs to be managed with care. Lucky colour: Royal Blue. Magic number: 59. LEO: Let project take its time. You will be happy in the company of friends. Handle property matters carefully. Some of you could be suffering from finances insecurity. Tarot Message: You must realise that it's important to enjoy your dreams but be sure you don't play tricks on yourself. Lucky colour: Crimson. Magic number: 41. VIRGO: Friends will be easy going and willing to fall in love with your plans. A romantic alliance is likely to blossom by the evening. Nothing is to be taken much seriously. Please wait & watch. Tarot Message: Do not let anyone get the advantage over you. Lucky colour: Burgundy. Magic number: 46. LIBRA: You will get an opportunity to become a member of an important club. Family affairs run along smoothly. Take a look at why you are putting up with the situations you do not like. Tarot message: Be determined and increase your self confidence which will be on trial. Lucky colour: Forest Green. Magic number: 25. SCORPIO: Love relations bubbling with excitement. Students will get down to their tasks and creative hobbies. Businessmen: expect help from clients & loan from bank. Be careful not to violate traffic. Tarot message: Win the war with honesty, not by distorting facts. Lucky colour: Crème. Magic number: 27. SAGITTARIUS: Tendencies to manipulate should be controlled. Political bosses: danger looms large over the head. Industrial owners to take care of labour problem. Tarot message: Trust your heart and intuition rather than confusion yourself. Lucky color: Yellow. Magic Number: 43. CAPRICORN: Scarifies today can put you in a far better place in future. Promotion? talk to your boss. Now is the time to sit at home. A long awaited issue finally gets settled. Tarot message: Now is the need to question the value judgment which has shaping your money aspects. Lucky colour: Black. Magic number: 49. AQUARIUS: It is a day to forget worries of the work. Talk to superiors and see what they can offer. Confide in a friend, take time for long work, or read a good book. Tarot message: You need to take things slowly and listen to your inner voice. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 62. PISCES: Today you will be in an enthusiastic frame of mind. . Matters connected with the state or government agency will go through smoothly. Loss through speculation is on cards. Tarot message: Change the status quo both at work and relationships by voicing your feelings. Lucky colour: Silver Grey. Magic number: 29.
Chatter box
Better known for her stint as Nayantara, a female warrior in Sunil Agnihotri's fantasy drama Chandrakanta, Kruttika Desai the popular actor again plays Nayantara in Kahani Chandrakanta Ki inspired from Chandranakta Santiti. She is a versatile Indian film, theatre and television actor. Since the start of her acting career in the 1980's she has acted in a number of television soaps and serials and is now one of the most sought after television star. An intelligent woman with a good personality, she is excited about her new big scale costume drams which air on Sahara One Television. Kruttika is hoping to make it big in this show. It is not easy getting you to give the nod to a show. What drew you to Kahani Chandrakanta Ki? My selection of roles is open-minded. I found the role of Nayantara very powerful. The show is a continuation of what we watched in the last serial. This time, I am going to do more justice to my character. How different is experience of working in both shows? Both shows are important for me. The only difference is that the technology has improved. The show is getting popular among the viewers. How do you look at it? I am very excited that Kahani Chandrakanta Ki is receiving an amazing response. When I go to the shopping or go anywhere people recognise me. We all are equally working hard to make the show a success. So how is it working with Sunil Agnihotri and how are your other co-stars? The production and my co-stars are great. We all have discussions and try to have a bit of fun with work. It gives us time to understand and improve with suggestions. What do you like about your character? It is the most powerful role of my career. I have done many roles in the past but nothing has been so influential and controlling. The response has been good and the best compliment I have received is that 'you are most powerful warrior, of Kahani Chandrakanta Ki’. You have been a part of television industry for long? How has the journey been? It has been wonderful. I have worked in Buniyaad, Chandranakta, Zameen Aasman, Kismat, Hungama, Superhit Muqabala, Mansi, Tumhari Disha, Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki, Annu Ki Ho Gayee Waah Bhai Waah and Yeh Meri Life Hai. —Dharam Pal
On a sabbatical
Kritika Kamra who was last seen in Kitani Mohabbat Hai-2 is looking to make a comeback on TV so we were surprised when she refused to play the lead in Phulwa, Shobha Somanath Ki. We catch up with Kritika as she reveals the reasons behind her decision and much more. Why did you refuse Phulwa and Shobha Somanath Ki? Most of the shows that I am being offered are similar to Kitani Mohabat Hai where I will have to play a sweet, cute girl. I don't want to repeat that kind of a performance. I agree that Phulwa and Shobha Somanath Ki are different but I really don't like the treatment of these shows. I believe that television does not do justice to period shows. Phulwa was supposed to be based on the life of Phoolan Devi but from what I have seen I don't think they are showing Phoolan Devi's story. Plus, I don't think I will be comfortable living outside Mumbai for a show. Do actors feel insecure about securing a new project after their show ends? Yes, to a certain extent actors do feel insecure because we try to break the mould but television does not allow us to experiment much. Plus these days' shows end so abruptly and unexpectedly and the worst part is when you are promised something in the beginning and the show turns out to be totally different. In my case if I like it I will take it otherwise I will wait for something better to come my way. Do you plan to continue working for Balaji or are you open to working with other production houses? I have done three shows for Balaji and the production house is now coming up with different shows like Bade Acche Laggte Hai and Parichay which I don't think I can fit in. It does not matter whether it is Balaji or someone else, what matters to me is the character and story. What kind of role are you looking to make a comeback with and are you open to reality shows? There is no particular role that I am looking for but yes it should be nothing like Arohi from Kitani Mohabbat Hai. I want something challenging and it should keep me on my toes. I will accept reality shows as long as the concept is innovative, so nothing like Zara Nachke Dikha which I have already done and nothing to do with singing ether because I can't sing. It would be no to Bigg Boss too. How are you spending your break from TV? I have been travelling a lot. I went to Goa, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and am now finally back in Mumbai. I have been pampering myself and binging on my favourite food. Have you been catching up on TV shows and which are your favourites? Star World is my favourite channel and I like How I met your mother and Modern Family. I am also looking forward to the next season of Master Chef. What is your next agenda? I want to lose weight but I don't enjoy exercising so I will need some magic wand to make me slim. Crimes of passion
Sony has three popular shows dealing with crime - CID, Adaalat and Crime Patrol, featuring popular actors Shivaji Satam, Ronit Roy and Anoop Soni respectively. All these shows will have a common theme this week- Crimes of passion. The actors Shivaji Satam, Ronit Roy and Anoop Soni travelled to Lucknow recently to promote their shows at an event named- Men against crime. Sources reveal, "In the special episode of Adaalat, a girl takes the blame for a murder and pleads guilty to save her boyfriend who is the actual culprit. On the other hand, the boyfriend threatens KD to acquit his girlfriend else he will place bombs in the city. With time ticking away, KD has to find a way out to prove the girl innocent and stop the bomber. In CID, in a fit of rage an obsessive lover kidnaps a girl. He wants to keep the girl for himself forever, so he chains her. Crime Patrol brings alive, a heart rending and real incident of crime of passion." Shivaji Satam when contacted says, "Crime takes place when passion turns into an obsession for maybe your lover or from someone's property. The Lucknow event was a wonderful experience as the media was not just asking general questions but about particular episodes, which proves the popularity of these three shows.”
The year ahead
If your birthday is August 1...
Ruled by the Sun, one is the leader; indicates the ability to stand alone, and has strong vibration. You will be independent, creative, original, ambitious, determined, and self-assured. If expressed negatively: arrogant, stubborn, impatient, and self-centered. Business: In a few days, something very unusual, something extremely important will happen. It's a single and a rare phenomenon which can change your life in a positive way. Career: Try to soothe your impatience by creating a space where you can act as you wish. Your spontaneity will be your forte if you work in a team. You'll be able to comfort others and will be a great help to all co-workers. Education: Do not be disappointed over academic results. Work hard this time. Family: Several opportunities to improve or progress may inspire you to spend money or try to 'squeeze' compliance out of members. Bribe, cajole, beg or use humor. Finance: Career issues will be as usual. Do not get upset and bide your time as very soon you will get an opportunity to present your side to the seniors. A quiet and calm approach will sort out things to the satisfaction of all concerned. There will also be a pleasant surprise by way of a costly gift or some money from sources you least expected. Friendship: New friends are likely to bring with them a raving high potential for future 'hook ups' to both career and romantic assistance. The may dig in deep on career connections. Health: You'll be in good health. Regular evening walks will keep you fit. Love: You'll perform better by analyzing your work of the last period; this will help you avoid eventual errors. You'll manage to involve your beloved in one of your crazy ideas. This will help you get to know all sides of his or her potential. Travel: At the start of the December, you're a traveller with a mission -- but a few other matters of the heart sidetrack you. Take care of them. Take control and direct your plans with a firm hand. Mood: Excited and really pumped in love and money. Compatible signs: Libra, Leo, Aquarius. Lucky
colours: Crimson, Dark Gray. Lucky day: Wednesday. Lucky numbers: 4, 15, 24, 40, 45. Dhani Harrison was instrumental to the creation of the game. To promote the game, he appeared on the The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Ace footballer David Beckham, who recently became the proud father of a daughter, says he is keen to have one more child as that would complete his family.David and wife Victoria Beckham have three sons — Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, and a two-week-old daughter Harper Seven.
Here’s something that would interest all the sun burnt, sun dried and sun damaged people! A study by researchers from the University of Barcelona and the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council) has indicated that some compounds found in grapes help protect skin cells from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
Dhani Harrison (August 1, 1978) an English musician. He was collaborating in the development of The Beatles: Rock Band, a music video game in 2009.