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World of MUSIC
Out of a million, a voice hits you like someone is playing with the strings of the soul; out of a million a voice remains there, forever. Sufi singer Rekha Bharadwaj and playback singer Shilpa Rao are the two names that have hit the chords. The soulful and husky voices have given Bollywood numbers that have a lingering affect, much more than mushy or disco numbers. In Chandigarh to share their experience on Micromax MTV Unplugged, the two different personalities strike a common note — music.
Soul curry The evolution of music did not stop and Rekha witnessed it had changed the attitude and the scene of the music industry. “The trend of music changed and today we are in a great phase where a singer is not slotted into any particular genre,” Rekha talks about directors listening and appreciating global music. For a singer who establishes a soul connect with her songs, Sufi music would definitely have a different connotation. “I don’t think music is Sufi, it is the poetry that is Sufi. Sufisim is something different; it is a way of life, it makes me look at things differently - with more acceptance,” shares Rekha, who has found her way walking through the crystal clear lanes of the Osho Commune. “We would have been lost without it. I learnt sufi whirling, which is a part of my performance and meditation as well.” The line seems self-explanatory. Somewhere it also explains her husband Vishal Bharadwaj’s presence in her life and the songs. She smiles, “I have become more professional. I give him no chance to complain; anyways he is a hard task-master.” Her voice can create magic, but had it not been for the lyrics and Gulzaar… “I am lucky to sing most of his songs. However, it is not me who selects music - it is the music director.” Rekha would love to sing ghazals, something that she hasn’t done for a long time. “I have composed certain bandish; I am working on my album, I would do the singles and then compile them together,” shares Rekha, who would be seen with Vishal Bharadwaj in her next album Ishqia Ishqia.
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Urbane desire
If reports are to be believed, even Mark Zuckerberg owes women big time as they constitute a major chunk of Facebook users — 58 per cent women to 43 per cent men to be precise. That’s just one indicator that women have arrived and how!
Seema, a freelance artist from Chandigarh, has chronicled this development in her series of paintings—Journey. In her award-winning painting Journey 3, Seema depicts how women have become independent, not just in the physical sense of the word but at the emotional level as well. Seema has painted a man with a traditional looking woman, eyeing at another woman who is modern in the true sense of the word — dressed in a Western outfit, operating a laptop and travelling alone. His expression is somewhat mixed—that of curiosity and scorn! “Technology today has somehow divided the women into haves and have-nots, and it is consciously as well as unconsciously changing the human behavioural pattern,” she explains. Seema has taken the impact of modernity on human behaviour to another level in her latest series. “In my latest work, I have painted myself as a victim of modern day complexities and vices like smoking as well as drinking, and how this transformation has been accepted by society to an extent,” she explains. Seema had exhibited her paintings in Delhi recently. Chandigarh-bred artist Madan Lal too has abandoned his traditional motifs in favour of contemporary elements like wine glasses, computers and locks — in a bid to capture the essence of a modern woman in his latest series Urban Woman. “I am trying to show how women today are caught between the natural self and a world with all modern trappings,” he says. Their artistic imagination has spread to the divinity too. Veteran artist Satwant Singh has painted Goddess Lakshmi in a brand-new avatar — with a laptop, a mobile phone, car, sitting on a adjustable lotus and her vehicle, the owl wearing a pair of skates. The backdrop has high rise buildings with rupee and dollar signs painted all over. “Women are ruling everywhere and technology is so much part of a woman’s life. She is everywhere —banking service, real estate, science and technology…making dollars and rupees with equal élan. It was my attempt to capture the essence of a modern woman through Goddess Lakshmi,” he explains. If Satwant’s modern avatar of Lakshmi, which is in sharp contrast with those established images of Raja Ravi Verma’s pleasantly plump deities in their traditional attire and flowers or pet animals for company, ruffles the viewer with its ‘too’ realistic interpretation, then Madan’s Desire showing a woman’s longing for her natural blooming is bound to make one depressed. For, Madan has cleverly put an aquarium with human foetus at the backdrop to show the onslaught of the current no-child policy among couples and the increasing homosexual relationships. “It may be depressing but a fact, because the way our society is moving, we will soon get to see human babies only in preserved form,” says Madan. Another dark reality, but then who says art has to be just pleasing?
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Biggest moment when Michelle wore my dress: Naeem Khan
“Designing glamorous clothes is second nature to me. I’m fortunate that my collection is worn by royalty, important social figures, movie and rock stars across the world. It’s very thrilling to see your clothes on people in the limelight,” Naeem told IANS in an email interview from New York. “My biggest and most exciting moment was when Michelle Obama wore my dress for the first state dinner for our prime minister. I love designing for powerful women,” added the 53-year-old. Describing fashion as a serious business, he said: “There is a lot of thought process required when you design for celebrities, specially for heads of state.” “Clothes make a statement; they send a message. You have to keep many factors in mind—age, body, event, weather,
colour, comfort and how much power to put into the dress as you don’t want to overpower the personality with the dress,” said Khan who launched his collection Naeem Khan in 2003. Associating with
A-listers is a common practice amongst designers and Khan says such collaborations help in making a name for the brand. Recently, Khan dressed pop icon Lady Gaga and says he loved it. “She is a superstar and has a galaxy of a fans. The media loves her. I am ever so grateful she acknowledged me. Celebrities and designers are a great recipe for success,” said the designer who calls Gaga an ultimate fashion icon. “I love Lady Gaga.fashion should be fun and Lady Gaga is doing just that. She thinks out of the norm and we must respect that. Today she has several hundred million fans, it’s because of her talent and style. She is a fashion Icon.
—IANS
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Commercial angle!
Chandigarh girl Garima Arora has added another feather to her cap. Assistant director to Ad Guru Prahlad Kakar, Garima is enjoying every bit of the hardwork that goes into making a commercial. "Life has totally changed since the time I started assisting Prahlad Kakar," says Garima, in Chandigarh for Diwali break.
"I never thought I had it in me to be behind the camera, but Prahlad made me understand that to be a good actor one should be aware of what happens behind the camera as well," she says. Garima has traded her easy-going life for the challenging work of an assistant. "It's like being a slave. There is no life except for work," says Garima who claims that the end result gives a great high. Garima has almost worked on some fifteen ads, out of which Rasna, Officers Choice, Lilliput, Nivea, Maggi are all on air as of now. Three years in Mumbai now, Garima had modelled and also been part of a reality movie. "Working with a genius that Prahlad is, it's a new beginning for me. I am enjoying every bit of it and getting trained to enter the big Bollywood world," says Garima. Good luck
girl! mona@tribunemail.com
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Bollywood sans gender bias
Costume designer Shyamli, who had styled John Abraham in Force and the upcoming Desi Boyz, says there has never been a gender bias in Bollywood. "Even though most of the famous names as (costume) designers are male, the number of women stylists joining the bandwagon have been more in recent years," Shyamli said.
"It is the work that matters and not who you are. I have never experienced gender bias in my first film with an experienced director Raj Kumar Santoshi for Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani and a newcomer director Rohit Dhawan for Desi Boyz," she said. Shyamli has styled John Abraham, Anupam Kher and Omi Vaidya for Desi Boyz. "I am working with John for the second time after Force, which was a realistic kind of movie, in which the actor plays a narcotics cop. While in Desi Boyz, John's character is younger and trendier. It has been a refreshing change for John," she added. According to Shyamli, styling was all about adding a 'look' to the director's vision. "Earlier, clothes mattered only for the actors or actresses to look good on screen. These days, genre of movies is more realistic and characters look believable. Stylists are involved in the film right from the script-reading stage, when the look of the character is designed. This change is refreshing," she said. Actors' comfort is also taken into consideration and sometimes, stylists have to push the boundaries a little, to persuade the actors on the need for the kind of look that has been designed, she added. Shyamli
said that John has two different looks in Desi Boyz. "The first
half will see the actor as a banker with a Wall Street kind of sleek and
corporate look. In the second half, his character undergoes a sea
change. Omi Vaidya is 'nerd chic', but not geeky and he has not done
such a role earlier. Anupam Kher plays Deepika Padukone's father, who is
a happy-go-lucky fun character. So like him, the clothes are also over
the top and flamboyant," she added. — PTI
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Rapid fire round
Bipasha Basu is enjoying herself these days: she is making new friends and working hard. She doesn't want people to keep talking about her past because she has moved away from it all. Here is a rapid-fire round with Bipasha.
A film you wished you had not done? So many. If not an actress you would have been? Somebody in the fitness arena. I love working out it; gives me a boost and I even love telling people to be healthy. If you have to choose a person who you want to be for one day, who will that be? I would love to be Shah Rukh Khan. It's nicer, you get ready faster. You are smart, intelligent. The world swoons over you, you are intelligent and an entertainer. You know what you are doing; you are just great at your work. It's great to be Shah Rukh Khan. Your all time favourite movie? Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and I have fallen in love with this film, Pineapple Express. It's awesome. Which of the seven sins have you committed? I am short-tempered, so anger. I think it is human to get angry easily. Any one you lusted after? Brad Pitt. — HRM
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Great beginnings
Known politician and Lok Jan Shakti party chief Ram Vilas Paswan's son, Chirag Paswan, was seen promoting his upcoming film Miley Naa Miley Hum along with co star Kangana Ranaut in Patna recently. During the promotion, Chirag said it was his childhood dream to become an actor and he had worked really hard to come this far.
"The script and the story of a film are very important; they are the backbone of the film. Similarly the backbone of our film is very strong and our director has written an excellent script," said Chirag. The 28 year old debutant admitted to the fact that strong political influence gave him an easy entry to Bollywood but added he is trying to make his own mark in the film industry. Ranaut said she agreed to do the film with Chirag because she had seen his work before and considered him to be an excellent actor. "I think that he is a very capable actor and he is highly professional, that's why I have worked with him and agreed to be a part of this film," said Ranaut. The film is directed by Tanveer Khan and the music is composed by Sajid-Wajid. The film is slated to release on November 4.
— ANI
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Rakhi Sawant miffed with Censor Board!
Upset with the Censor Board for bleeping out certain words from her song Jawani Ki Bank Loot Le in her upcoming film Loot, fire cracker Rakhi Sawant was in attack mode recently.
Rakhi insists that though certain words could be controversial in nature when singled out, in her song they have been used aptly and with the right connotations, without any vulgar or offensive meaning. The actress feels that the Censor Board is "biased". "If they are so strict, why they have passed a song titled Jhak Maar Ke picturised on John Abraham and Deepika Padukone in Desi Boyz," Rakhi shoots. "The censors have allowed it to pass because the film has big stars in it," she claims. "Even John's dance steps in the song are in bad taste. He's making distasteful gestures with his hand. I have no such
gestures in my song," she adds.
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Living life king size
Leonardo DiCaprio, who is currently the highest paid actor in the world, has made Sydney his home till Christmas, where he is leading a luxurious lifestyle. The Hollywood heavyweight is presently shooting at Fox Studios and on location in Rozelle for The Great Gatsby.
Intensely private, he has been dodging Sydney media since his arrival in August and has taken to hiding under a large baseball cap and being driven about in a convoy of vehicles, with body doubles employed as decoys, a website reported. His home is a five-bedroom, five-bathroom harbour front mansion in Vaucluse with its own pool, private jetty and a luxury cruiser. But after being discovered at the 10,000 dollars-a-week rental in his first weeks here, DiCaprio has also taken a complimentary suite at The Star, where he has his own butler, driver, limo and access to the casino's luxury jet. For company DiCaprio has been enjoying time with his Gatsby co-star Tobey Maguire, a close friend for 20 years. Other establishments to enjoy his patronage have included the nightclub Beach Haus, a popular hangout, where DiCaprio is rumoured to have twice picked up beautiful young companions. — ANI
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Sister act
Celebrity sisters duo Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian have come out to support sister Kim, who filed for divorce from Kris Humphries, her husband of 72-days. The 31-year-old reality star filed for divorce in Los Angeles court on October 31 and her sister Kourtney has revealed on Twitter those closest to her are all rallying round to give her support.
"Our sister is going through a difficult time but we're a close family and are sticking together like always. We appreciate everyone's kindness and support. Kim, we love you.(sic)," she posted. Whereas, Khloe hit out at those who had been "hurtful" about the proceedings but said her family are "strong" enough to survive the ordeal. "Reading some of these comments is so hurtful. I am grateful for our fans who understand and are being respectful (sic)," Khole added. — PTI
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Singer Jessica Simpson has finally confirmed that she is expecting her first child. She has been at the centre of swirling pregnancy rumours for weeks now but kept mum until now, a publication reported. The 31-year-old star made the official announcement on her website in a short message. "It's true, I am going to be a mummy," she wrote.
The former singer, who is engaged to NBA star Eric Johnson, also comically dressed up in a mummy Halloween outfit in a photograph to accompany the announcement, while cradling her bump. — PTI
Good news:
Jessica Simpson
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On sick leave
The 23-year-old, fell ill and was taken to a nearby medical centre, reported a website. The singer has been hooked up to an intravenous drip in a bid to replenish fluids, and she uploaded a snap of herself in a hospital bed on Twitter while apologising to her fans for cancelling the show. "I am sorry to everyone who was coming to my show in Malmo. I was so excited to perform for you all. It would have been a great time...so much better than being sick with the flu, ugh! I'm really disappointed I couldn't be there," Rihanna said.
— PTI
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Please stand up!
Oscar winning actor Al Pacino is all set to portaray himself as a stand-up comedian in a comedy flick. The Scarface legend, who will shock fans of his dramatic work with a cameo in film maker Adam Sandler's upcoming comedy Jack and Jill, insists it's perfect casting because Pacino's roots are steeped in comedy, a publication reported.
"He really is one of the funniest guys. And I bet you didn't know this, and I didn't know it either, but he was a stand-up. That's how he started. Pacino was in a comedy team, in the beginning. He and another guy, I forgot what the man's name was, but he, like, used to do the improvisation in New York. I swear to god... For a while (too). It wasn't just like a brief thing. He did it for like a couple of years, I think. He told me some of his routines and they were great!," said Sandler.
— PTI
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Twilight actress Kristen Stewart insists she is not distant and cold but struggles to talk about herself as she still has a lot to learn. The 21-year-old actress - who is best known for playing Bella Swan in the Twilight Saga film franchise - thinks she is often unfairly portrayed as distant and cold but believes she has that image because she finds it hard to talk about herself, reported a magazine. "I'm sometimes told I am a very distant and cold person. In real life, I'm very shy. I feel uncomfortable during interviews because I need to talk about myself. But to talk about yourself, you have to know who you are. When it comes to that, I think there are still a lot of things I need to discover about myself," Stewart said. The actress, who is in a relationship with Robert Pattinson, also insisted she is exactly the same as everyone else and despite being famous, she shares the same life aspirations as her fans. "Being a celebrity is not really something that bothers me, it's the way it's talked about and how actors are perceived by others. People are convinced that just because we're known, our aspirations are different from theirs. But if they only knew... Our only ambition is to have friends, a good life and interesting projects. Just like everybody," Stewart added. — PTI
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Chill pill
She adds, “Though people change their dressing pattern at this time, most of them don’t bother about food and changing requirements of the body. People of all age groups should include seasonal vegetables and nuts in their diet.” Swatantra Gautam, Executive Chef, P3, throws some more light. “It’s not fruits and vegetables alone that help you build resistance, but certain items like turmeric, ginger, pepper, garlic, cloves, cinnamon and oregano help boost the immune system.” Dry fruits are also an integral part of winter delicacies. Says Nalini, “Soaked walnuts are great for the changing weather, so are apricots, dates, raisins, prunes and cranberries. Good energy sources, these help stabilise our body temperatures, both inside as well as outside.”
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The Lucknow saga
Divya Dutta
I was about to tell him off when he said, “Just hear me out once”. And something inside me said ok. He was calling from Lucknow and he said he would narrate the story on the phone. I was flabbergasted! Narration on phone? Never heard of. But something urged me to hear him out! And he started—10 minutes became an hour and I was glued. Before he hung up, I heard myself say, “I am doing it. Mail me the entire script.” Now the hitch was dates. I was shooting on those dates already. A day later I heard from my producers that the shoot had been postponed. That meant I could give those dates to the Lucknow film. When something has to happen, it finds its own way. Took my mom with me to the Lucknow shoot. And right from eating kebabs to chappan bhog chat and dahi badas to shopping for chikan sarees, to meet all my friends, we did it all. The shooting was magical. Some scenes have an understated magic about them, and I loved shooting for this film, little nuances, little moments, mazaa aya! Khoobsoorat Lucknow, Khoobsoorat samay! Now off to another city in an early morning flight. And guess who occupied the seat next to me? The lovely Hema Malini. I would have loved to share more stories with you, but have to stop now kyunki mere sath wali seat par hum sab ki khaas baithi hain….adieu till next week. (Dutta is a Bollywood actor)
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Social touch
The research found our social circle peaks at twenty-one as we meet people at work while keeping in touch with friends from school and university. But as our working lives take over, we lose contact with some old friends causing the number to drop to around sixty-eight by the time we reach 29-years-old. Although this decline continues into old age, it slows down slightly for people in their 30’s when many of them become first-time parents. It is believed that this is because people form new friendships while on the maternity ward and at post-natal groups. —IANS
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Warmth of KULLU
The Manu weaver’s handlooms and handicrafts co-operative society, Manali has organised an exhibition in Chandigarh at Lajpat Rai Bhavan-15. Says Anil Mehra, president “The exhibition has many craftpersons who have come from various parts of Himachal Pradesh to display and sell their handloom products. All these craftspersons are duly registered with the office of the Development Commissioner (handicrafts and handlooms), ministry of textile, government of India.”
The handlooms on display are Kullu woollen, Kinouri, pure pashmina and angora shawls. Also, there are Angora and yak wool. There are gent’s lohie, woolen handmade socks, Kullu caps, woolen tweed coats, Kangra cane furniture, Himachal leather items, Kullu woolen jackets and Kullu woolen suits.—TNS (On till November 13)
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Breathe easy with matsyasana
Anil Juneja Matsyasana means fish posture. The name of the posture derives from the fact that if you adopt the position in water, you will float quite easily. Matsyasana gives a backward stretch to the cervical thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine and the chest fully. Doing the fish pose relieves the stiffness of your neck and shoulder muscles and corrects any tendency of having rounded shoulders. Holding the pose also tones the nerves of the neck and back. This pose stretches and stimulates the organs of the belly and throat. Deep breathing in the pose provides extra oxygen into the lungs. It also stretches the bronchial tubes, which is great for people with asthma, as it promotes easier breathing. Fish pose normalises the function of the thyroid, pituitary, pineal and adrenal glands. As it stimulates the thyroid gland, it helps to speed up the metabolism. Being metabolically active, one can increase the amount of fat used for energy. It is a great pose for those wanting to burn fat. There are two methods of doing this asana. One is folding or turning back the head and neck area combined with the lotus posture (Padmaasana). Since Padmasana is beyond the capacity of most beginners so second easier method can be performed which is without the lotus posture and can be practiced by any person. Matsyasana with the lotus posture: Sit in the lotus posture with your right foot on the left thigh and left foot on the right thigh. Sit erect with the knees touching the floor. Lie down on the floor, pull your palms backward a little and fold your elbows to support the body weight. Move one elbow at a time further to allow the whole back to come to the floor. Breath normally. Bring your palms underneath the hips and the buttock. At the same time fold your elbows. Lift the head and bend it towards the floor, so that only upper portion means crown of the head touches the floor. Try to make an arch. In this position your body weight is resting at two points - head and the hip. Bring your palms to the feet and hold the toes. Now you are in the perfect fish posture. Breathe normally and remain in this position for 10 to 30 seconds. For returning, leave the toes and bring your palms to the hips. Fold your elbows and support the body weight on them. Lift the head upward, straighten the neck and put them back on the floor. Unfold the legs from the lotus posture and stretch them out straight. Bring your hands on the floor and relax. Matsyasana without the lotus posture: Lie on your back on the floor with your legs stretched and palms close to the body on both sides. Keep the knees and heels together and legs strait. Bring the palms underneath the hips. Fold the elbows and lift the head up from the floor. Your body weight should rest on the elbows. Put the crown on the floor. Try to make an arch. Remain in this position for 10 to 30 seconds. Breathe normally. In this position the weight of the body rest on the head and hip. For returning, bring your palms underneath the hip again and fold the elbows. Now, lift the head upward first and bring it and the neck on to the floor. Bring your palms and arm back to the floor and relax. (The writer is a city based yoga and fitness expert.)
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What a pest!
Satish Narula Insects came on this earth many thousands years before the human race did. Today, they are an integral part of our life and there is strange co-existence—they live within our own body system, in the immediate environs of home indoors and in the outer garden. This has also made their existence prone to onslaught from the human being prompting them to create camouflage devices to escape. One such insect is the Leaf minor. The insect leaf minor is so named as it makes zig-zag ‘mines’ on the upper or the lower side of the leaves. It is the nymph stage of the insect that causes the most damage to the crop that it invades. The young ones feed under a silvery parchment like covering, is hardly visible and seems to be stationary at one the end of the mine. It keeps feeding on the leaf green, sucking its sap under its protecting covering. Due to the loss of the tissue, there is crumbling of the leaves which also become prone to attack by citrus canker in case of citrus species plants like lemon, grapefruit, sweet orange etc. The immunity to camouflage has been provided to it by the nature to escape any kind of insect and human attack. Even ordinary plant protection measure wherein contact insecticides are used, fail as the insect lives under the protective covering. It is only by the use of the insecticides that go into the system of the plant that this insect can be controlled. It is the advised to spray Rogor 30 EC @ 2.5 ml or metasystox 25 EC @ 2 ml, dissolved in one litre of water. This insect has palate for a wide range of flora like peas, cinearia, citrus species plants like lemon, grapefruit etc., dahlia, vegetables of cucurbitacious family like kaddu, tori, khira and tar. Similar is the case with rose red scale. It also lives under a protective reddish covering. Thousands of the insects adhere to the stem of rose plant and give an appearance of postules. If you have a few plants then you can rub these off using a used toothbrush dipped in Rogor solution, made by dissolving 2 ml of the chemical in one litre of water. In case of more number of plants, you can add thimet 10-G granules at the rate of 20 gm per bush. Mix the granules with the upper soil surface and give water. Make sure that you do not touch the granules with bare hands. (Narula is a Chandigarh-based horticulturist)
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Chatter box
His cute looks gelled perfectly with the sweet boy Anukalp’s role in Zee TV’s Preet Se
Bandhi- Ram Milaye Jodi. When Nishant was part of the show, it gave tough competition to other shows on the same time band. The audiences loved Sara Khan and Nishant Malkani jodi as Mona
–Anukalp but when Bollywood came calling, he opted out of the show, which triggered a difference between the producer and him. After many arguments and settlements, he quit the show and new actor Sujoy became
Anukalp. The show is still in the race but fans still want the original Anukalp back.
Mishal suited the angry young Marathi don – Dutta Patil and fans loved him in this role. His presence turned the show into a huge hit on Colors. The show used to be the slot leader but when rumours of Mishal’s starry behavior erupted, the production house and channel decided to replace him. Shabbir Ahuwalia replaced Mishal but the show was never the same again. His presence didn’t make any difference to the audiences and the TRPs of the show dropped. Now the show airs in the afternoon.
He played Dev Khurana, a grey character in Star One’s most loved show Geet-Hui Sabse Parayi with aplomb. Audiences loved to hate him but within a month, he apparently lost interest in the show and a new Dev was brought in. Currently Samir Sharma plays the role which has turned positive. Dev’s replacement didn’t make any difference to the popularity of the show.
Sushant became a household name after playing Manav Deshmukh in Zee TV’s super hit show Pavitra
Rishta. His character was loved by audiences. His sudden decision of leaving the show came as a shock. Now, the production house Balaji is looking for a replacement and many names are being speculated. For now, it seems difficult to accept another face in the role of
Manav. Pavitra Rishta will never be the same without Sushant Singh Rajput.
He became a heartthrob of millions with his role of the romantic Dr Armaan Mallik in Star One’s Dill Mill
Gayye. This role and show gave new heights to Karan’s career. Every teenager fell in love with Armaan but apparently the sudden success went to his head and he decided to quit the show which disappointed his fans. After his sudden exit, the show lost its charm. Instead of a replacement, a new character Sid was introduced opposite the lead Riddhima but it didn’t work as the audiences wanted their Armaan back. |
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Astro Turf
ARIES: Friendships are under favourable stars. Make sure insurance related documents are in order. Pleasure comes from spending time with loved ones. A partner may be obsessed with something you can’t relate to. TAURUS: Be cautious while dealing with money. Do not be rash or impulsive. Postpone work that requires concentration and physical efforts. Your thoughts and emotions will be with a family member. GEMINI: Today you will have difficulty in getting along with associates. Expect tremendous joy in an evening party. The Moon joins Venus which promises romance. Love and loyalty mark the day. CANCER: Health needs some care. Do not be in a hurry to get financial plans underway. You might be able to do yourself a bit of good with the help of influential people. LEO: Today, you are likely to spend money on astrology or philosophical books. Agreement made today can be valuable to you. Use imagination and fantasy in whatever creative project you are undertaking now. VIRGO: The day starts with smiles and cheers. Friends are pleasant but not particularly significant. A busy schedule of social engagements might not seem too exciting right now. LIBRA: Meeting new people will bring opportunity for romance and minor flirtation. Property deal comes to the fore. Remain flexible throughout the day and you won’t be disappointed. Be willing to listen to an elderly relative. SCORPIO: Avoid speculation today. The married will enjoy a pleasant romantic phase at home. Take proper care of your health. Social life, political activity will bring recognition. Be honest with yourself. SAGITTARIUS: Financially, it is a best day. Don’t rush to make any hasty decisions. Younger member in the family may offer you a valuable advice. A shopping trip could deplete your savings but add value to your day. CAPRICORN: Dispute over a small issue is possible at your work place. Heavy expenses make you frustrated. Beware of a hitch or delay. Mixed trends will prevail through out the day. AQUARIUS: Day starts on a positive note. Take proper care of your diet. Love life will be exciting. Financial matters may cause stress. Spend time with loves ones and family members. PISCES: Relationships may be neglected. A chance encounter with a foreigner may bring a sense of déjà vu and something from the past back into your life again. An impulsive streak might cause the damage. |
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The year ahead
If your birthday is October 2...
Those born on November 2 under the Scorpio sign rarely lose; they just keep on going, since they are stubborn and determined to succeed. Scorpios work as hard as they can to feel satisfied with themselves. They are intense, passionate and filled with desire. They’re also complex and secretive, so don’t expect to get much out of them. It’s best not to bet against Scorpios, either, since they are surprisingly resourceful. If born on this date then cultivate connections on your birthday. And your timings are great now, whereas over the next couple of months, circumstances tend to throw schedules and deadlines off. Set priorities carefully now. You’ll get the impression that someone is controlling your work; but continue to work as normal, show trust in others and everything will be ok. Youngsters should be aware while trusting new acquaintances and should seek advice from more experienced people. If you proceed carefully, your influence will grow. If you are an officer, you will stand out better from the crowd. Spending does escalate expenses, so give priority to basic needs like food, medical, travel and clothing. You’ll be under a heavy workload in December. Lot of pending work will be hanging over your head. Mistakes are likely. Have a watchful eye on that. Don’t enter into partnership on long-term basis for that will neither last nor prove beneficial. Young ones will be in good health. Others will not be so good. Slight headache, fever or such minor problems are in store for you. The health of your spouse may become a cause for worry to you. Hence, you should try to be more affectionate and caring. Try out different ways of expressing yourself instead of trying to maintain control. 2012 starts off with some pleasant interactions. Mood: A bit loaded but optimistic. Compatible signs: Scorpio, Virgo. Lucky colours: Violet, teal. Lucky days: Wednesday and Friday. Lucky numbers: 2, 12, 19, 44, 55. Lucky flower: Dahlia. Lucky gem: Pearl.
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She isn’t someone who will say more than you ask her. There is an acceptance, a serenity of ideas and a soulful charm about singer Rekha Bharadwaj. She pulls notes from the base, taking them to a height that cannot falter. Whether it is Namaq Ishq Ka or Tere Ishq Me, the soul-searching continues. And it started when she came to Mumbai in 1991. “Music directors would ask on what note I could sing; they appreciated my voice, but I knew I wouldn’t be getting any work. Things changed with Namak Ishq Ka,” she shares a brief note on her journey so far.
Having begun from Tosey Naian Lagey from Bollywood movie Anwar, which went on to break a few barriers and set some trends, singer Shilpa Rao, of Mudi Mudi, Khuda Jaane, Nain Parindey fame, has set the pace for a husky and different kind of voice. “The best part about music and musicians today is that you cannot slot them. I would love to do a jazz and a rock number at the same time,” says this dusky girl who won Best Female Playback Star Screen Award 2008 for the song Khuda Jaane. “I was advised to not demarcate my voice for a particular style,” says Shilpa, who would love to collaborate with singers. In fact, the girl seems to have an understanding of changing music. “Music directors are ready to experiment; at the same time they want us to be well-versed with changing global trends in music. Bollywood has an overpowering effect and there is a need to do more private albums. The digital scenario has altered music,” puts in the singer who loves the energy and vivaciousness of live concerts. “You know it within a moment whether you have struck the chord or not.” She sure has!
The most popular theory that did the rounds in the feminist circles during the nineties was social conditioning; how parents create the gender divide right from childhood - by gifting toy cars, guns to boys and doll houses to girls. And the outcome was ‘tech-savvy’ outdoor boys and ‘damsels-in-distress’ homemakers. That theory is redundant today.
Michelle Obama, Beyonce Knowles, Eva Longoria and Lady Gaga. With a client list as formidable as that, it’s little wonder that New York-based Indian designer Naeem Khan says that he loves crafting glamorous clothes for powerful women.
Winter is knocking at the door and it’s time we say goodbye to ice-creams, sorbets, juices and many more delicacies that we enjoyed during summer! Well, the new season also means that we add fresh food items to our diet. “Protective food is required during this season. Due to changed lifestyles and bad eating habits, our body lacks essential vitamins and minerals. To cope with environmental factors we must include fruits like amla, lemon and orange to build resistance for the coming winter,” says Sonia Gandhi, senior clinical nutritionist, Fortis Hospital, Mohali.
Well, if you go by what grandma said, halwa is a cure for a lot of problems that winter poses. “Though it is right to some extent, one has to alter the recipe to make it healthy,” says Nalini, a consultant nutritionist from Panchkula. “Carrots start coming in at this time of the year and hot gaajar ka halwa is a great dish that provides energy. Although halwa made in the traditional manner helps you stay warm, it’s not recommended from the health point of view. For a healthy combination, use skimmed milk and oil, instead of ghee, to lower the calorie count,” she adds. It’s important to have some extra calories to stay warm during winter, but not without monitoring what you are eating. Says Sonia, “Keeping the excitement (seeing the delicacies) aside, always keep a check on your diet. During the winter, our bodies engage in regenerating act when they prepare themselves for another cycle. For this process, they require ‘high in fat’ food - sesame, various types of nuts, almonds, walnuts and avocados. Intake of pulses, which are a great source of almost all nutrients, is
also important.”
I like this balance between hardcore commercial cinema and realistic films. I got a call from this director from Lucknow who said he wanted me to do this film based on a true story. And he wanted me to come in 10 days. I was taken aback. I have never signed a film in such a hurry and at this short notice, especially when we are already shooting back to back!
Our social circle is at its peak when we are at twenty-one with a staggering ninety-nine friends but the number drops sharply as we get older, a new study has revealed. The study found that the typical 21-year-old’s social circle nearly hits hundred more than at any other time in our life, with thirteen ‘best’ friends, seventeen ‘close’ friends and seventy acquaintances. But this number drops sharply to sixty-eight by the time we are 29-years-old. The decline continues to sixty-three at the age of 39, forty-three at 49-years-old and plummets to around forty-one when we hit 55.
Nishant Malkani aka Anukalp in Ram Milaaye Jodi
Mishal Raheja aka Dutta Patil in Laagi Tujhse Lagan
Abhinav Shukla aka Dev Khurana in Geet-Hui Sabse Parayi
Sushant Singh Rajput aka Manav in Pavitra Rishta
Karan Singh Grover aka Dr Armaan Mallik in DMG
You share your birthday with Shah Rukh Khan (November 2, 1965, New Delhi). SRK began his career in television serials in the late 1980s. After the death of his parents, Khan moved to Mumbai in 1991. In the same year, he married Gauri Khan on 25 October 1991. He made his film debut with Deewana (1992) and has won 13 Filmfare Awards. Some of Khan’s best-known films are Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho Veer-Zaara and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. In 2007, Khan replaced Amitabh Bachchan as the host of the third series of the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati, Khan began hosting the game show Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain. Ra One is not compatible with his numbers, so it will not work. Despite controversies attached to him, SRK will remain the heartthrob of cine-goers owing to combination of numbers 2 and 7 which are his basic and life path numbers bestowed with the shining moon.