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Too bold to handle?
Do we need a Mallika Sherawat to shake the Indian television out of slumber? Come to think of it, what’s the big deal if a toned down form of a bold scene in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain (BALH) is telecast on national television? Of course, it’s a breather from the usual consummation scenes justified only through circumstantial evidences — a dupatta here, a shirt there, candles everywhere and a bed out of place. Sakshi Tanwar and Ram Kapoor shot the scene aesthetically, but is this one off example enough to substantiate that Indian TV has come of age?
Ragini Khanna, who plays Suhana in Sasural Genda Phool, certainly doesn’t agree. Citing examples of ahead-of-the-time soaps, Hip Hip Hurray, Banegi Apni Baat and Just Mohabbat, she says, “Just one bold scene can’t prove that the industry has got a modern outlook. Most of the serials target audiences in small towns and villages of India, which means such scenes won’t be a regular feature on television.” Not bold shots, but progressive story-telling will change the face of television. On the same note, most of the serials that make an attempt to be different initially, get in the usual groove after a few weeks. Phulwa, which was about a dacoit, Uttaran, about friendship bond between a maid’s and master’s daughters; Parichay, about a failed man who begins life on a new note, have all started following the beaten track of saas-bahu conspiracies and double roles. And still if the TRPs drop, a generation leap helps in the survival! Coming back to the intimate scene in BALH, a complete episode was dedicated to the cause, something unseen before. Vishal Karwal, the actor from Chandigarh who was seen in Bhagyavidhata, Rishton Se Badi Pratha and now in Dwarkadheesh, says it’s a welcome change on the TV. “Certainly not bad for our content standards, but I only hope some sections of the society don’t indulge in moral policing.” The industry will take a lot of time to go on to the next level, considering the social fabric of the country. “Most of families have one TV set and they watch serials together, in which case it becomes important to filter out the matter.” Quite naturally, a spat between a good and a bad girl in a soap will be a more comfortable scene to watch than a love-making one, but what can’t be denied is that the TRPs will surge more for the latter. Rajan Shahi, producer of serials like Bidaai, Kuch to Log Kahenge and Amrit Manthan, admits the fact, “Consummation scenes have always garnered better TRPs, be it from the soap Bidaai or Amrit Manthan.” He adds that at the end of the day, soaps are family drama, “Try incorporating a scene for the heck of titillating the audience and the TRPs will drop.” In Amrit Manthan, a scene on similar lines has also caught the fancy of TV viewers. As long as the script demands a sensuous shot, it’s all fine on TV, but when a soap is 260 episodes a year, five days a week, only calculated risk can be taken. As Gurmeet Chaudhary of Punar Vivah says, “You can’t ignore the practicality of the situation. Bold can get awkward at times. Let the TV change gradually.” Mallika Sherawat still has time! ashima@tribunemail.com
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When celebs came calling
A generous dose of fashion, music and glamour, some interestingly popular guests, stylish food, catchy background music….mix it well and there you have a ‘nearly’ (perfect parties — never heard about them!) perfect Sunday night party.
Gul Panag throws Chivas Studio Spotlight party picking the right elements and whipped an evening of glamour, music and fashion at JW Marriott on Sunday. Chivas Studio Spotlight also blended artists Alisha Batth and Eka with designer Mandira Wirk. And we quickly introduce you to the people who made this party a much-talked about affair. We definitely couldn’t miss out on the ‘much’ and sometimes ‘not much’ talked about couple Shashi Tharoor and Sunanda Pushkar. The lady looked pretty in a sari as the man stood with the host, talking easy. The couple did eat into the photographers’ attention for quiet sometime, as they moved on to the other guests eventually. Punjabi singer Harbhajan Mann and Jasbir Jassi more or less were the inseparable duo at the party. Do we expect collaboration in the near future? We stop by the next celebrity who looks ravishing in her designer dress — Mandira Wirk. The fashion designer showcased her collection ‘The Veil Unveiled’ of Chivas Studio Spotlight. “The collection captures the beauty of clothing. It is characterised by opulence and romance,” she says. Mandira has used fabrics that are heavily embellished with intricate Swarovski work. “The collection is highlighted by royal blue and metallic gold colours.” If there was a lavish display of all kinds of fashion, the richness in music wasn’t far behind. Solo singer Alisha Batth performed with percussionist Lisa Viega. “I basically sing folk rock, but I am not doing many gigs these days because I am working on my own album,” says Alisha, who is originally from Ludhiana but settled in Mumbai. Eka, a Delhi-based band, also performed at the party. The members of Eka, Benjamine ‘Benny’ Pinto on keyboards (ex-Euphoria), Hitesh ‘Rikki’ Madan on guitars and vocals (ex-Euphoria) and Lokesh Madan on vocals and bass are all seasoned musicians who have performed at more than 2,100 concerts. The band played what they are best known for — Swatantra Rock! Music reverberates as the guests inch closer to take a look at The Audi RS 5 Coupe and the Royal Enfield Desert Storm, machines that can be real head-turners at any party. There is no moving ahead without talking to the effervescent host Gul Panag. “Chivas Studio Spotlight party is an exciting and happening event, wherein I can host my friends and ensure everyone has a ball of a time.” jasmine@tribunemail.com
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A legacy to shoulder
Born into the family of music stalwarts Pandit Kumar Gandharva and Vidushi Vasundhara Komkali, singing was not the first option for Kalapini Komkali. “Though I started learning from my mother at a very young age, I thought of making a career more in medicine than music,” says Kalapini, in Chandigarh to participate in Pracheen Kala Kendra Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan.
Destiny always has a role though. “Circumstances made me travel with Kumar Ji far and wide, so I continued my training,” she says. Coming out of the shadows of a hugely talented family intimidated Kalapani a huge deal, but by and by she has carved her own niche. Today she is recognised as one of the finest trained classical vocalists amid the younger generation, but she is aiming higher, “I want to go deeper and deeper into ragas.” She has sung in films before and is more than willing to sing again, but these are secondary as of now. “It’s every singer’s dream to reach nirvana (the ultimate point) each time. But that’s not always possible. The journey in itself matter to me,” says Kalapani who continues to learn from her mother and Guru.
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Par Excellence
Good impact or on centre strike is one of the most important building blocks for confidence. When we are hitting the ball with the middle of the club, we get better results with both direction and distance control. Even for a beginner, centre strike is the first skill to acquire. If we are returning to the game after a lay off, it is once again the priority whilst we practice.
Before ranges were built, one had to have a caddy to pick up the balls. With a beginner this was a nightmare as their balls would go all over the place and they would end up losing most of them. A good way to start then was to get the beginner to spend his first 2-3 days swinging the club and only hitting a tee. This gave them a clear concept of hitting down and trying to remove the tee. They would never use force as there was no ball to hit. After they got reasonably successful on hitting the tee a ball was placed on the tee and they could hit the ball fairly well. When the ball was placed the same cue was given – remove the tee under the ball. This helps them to middle the ball and also build a downward blow and not a scooping action. In my experience a player who starts from the tee would quickly learn a good swing plane/path and would come from inside to square to inside. This exercise could easily be done at home or in a nearby park. If off centre contact is one of you problems try the following drill. Place three tee’s in a line. The outer two tee’s should be of one colour and the middle one of another colour. The distance between the outer two tee’s should be just a little more than the club heads width. Place the third tee in the middle. Now make swings without a ball trying to hit the middle tee. Once you can hit the middle tee place a ball on it and swing. If the middle tee comes out the ball would be stuck from the centre of the club. If the inner tee comes out too then the ball would have been struck from the toe of the club. This would happen if the body rises through the swing or we are too far from the ball with our address position. If the outer tee comes out then we are hitting the ball of the heel of the club and could shank a few too. This would happen if we go down with the body at impact or we are too close to the ball. It’s a great drill for golfers of all handicap levels and gives us great feedback and understanding of off centre hits. (Grewal has coached several national champions and professionals apart from being coach of the Indian golf team
for the Eisenhower Cup (World Cup) in 2008. He is currently Director, National Golf Academy of India and CGA Hero Honda Golf Academy. If you have any queries get in touch with him at parexcellence@tribunemail.com)
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In Begum’s footsteps
SD Sharma
Very few shagirds or followers have been successful in imbibed the nuances, style and vocal virtuosity of their gurus or mentors. Classical singer Rekha Surya is one of those select few. Endowed with a resonant and vibrant voice, tallafuz and andaz-e-byan, Rekha has enriched herself with the traits of her mentors, the ghazal queen Begum Akhtar and the Hindustani classical vocalist Girija Devi. In Chandigarh for an ICCR concert, Rekha, who was born and brought up in Lucknow, shares her journey to stardom in the realm of ghazal and thumri singing. “I owe my success to my teachers. I was interested in classical music and ghazal singing since childhood, which inspired me to seek tutelage of Begum Akhtar. Initially she refused to take me under her wing but when she the frustration on my face, she asked me to sing something quickly. So gathering courage I doled out couplets from a ghazal Duur hai manzil…She hugged me, blessed and accepted me as her youngest disciple.” After the sudden demise of Begum sahiba, Rekha met classical singer Girija Devi, who guided her from there and she ended up winning a scholarship to learn under guru shishya tradition at the prestigious Sangeet Research Academy Kolkata and rest is a history. “With her blessings I have an impressive dossier of performances in the World, especially in the USA and India,” she says. Rekha is open to experimental music like fusion and Ghalob Faiz, Qateel, Jigar Nasir Kazmi , Parveen Shaqir, Begum Akhtar and Mehdi Hasan are few of her favourite musicians. Why there are no women singing ghazal? “One has to acquire proficiency in classical music especially thumri to be an ideal ghazal singer,” she says. Rekha will perform at the Koser auditorium of Pracheen Kala Kendra at 6.30 pm.
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Catching up
Cooking classes are getting popular and we do not mean professional courses. Week-and-month-long classes have become a hit, especially with the ladies, courtesy the cookery shows on television that open you up to exotic recipes!
Well, if you are also the one who’s looking around for someone to teach you how to plan and cook a five-course meal, wait before you hunt for a fancy cook-book or log on to the Internet. Just pick up your newspaper or Google and you will surely find an advertisement for cooking classes! Says Rohini Walia, who has been holding cooking classes at her house in Sector 35 for over a decade now, “Earlier women would be happy to learn how to bake a cake or make noodles, but now they are familiar with most things and want to learn exotic recipes. I am surprised when girls who come for cooking classes know about Mascarpone cheese etc!” A good percentage of her students are also girls who are set to tie the knot. She adds, “With almost fifteen years in the business, I have observed a change in attitudes as far as learning to cook goes. Earlier mothers would drag their daughters to cooking classes but today most girls walk in all alone.” “Talking about traditional cooking – dal, roti and sabzi - these hold little appeal as these are easily learnt at home from mothers or grandmothers,” says Ritu, who holds her cooking classes in Sector 28. Today cookery shows are a hit and chefs have become celebrities - who would have thought this ten years ago! “This change took place in the last five years,” says Neeta Sukhija from Hotel Icon, who is also a baking and desserts expert. “This has happened because of the cookery shows on TV. Every woman wants to be a master chef these days,” she adds. And if you are wondering about what age group is interested more, the answer is that it ranges from tweens, teens, about-to-be married, newly married, married, grandmas…and not to miss the men!
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it’s rocking
It is the era of remakes, where one takes the essence of the old and presents it in a new way. The song, O Meri Chandni from the movie Chaar Din Ki Chandni starring Tusshar Kapoor and Kulraj Randhawa is the remake of the immensely popular 1990s song from Shiv-Hari’s blockbuster musical Chandni. The listeners have an immediate connect with the famous song. The remix is done by Eric Pillai and recorded by RDB. Sunidhi Chauhan and Parichay who have sung the song, lend freshness to the track.
Fresh take Sunidhi’s voice makes the song more musical. I also like the voice of Parichay, who improvises on Jolly Mukherjee’s original to make it sound like a fresh number that belongs to our generation. Naina Vasudeva, student, MCM College Better than before I totally love the way Sunidhi sings Sridevi’s famous lines from the song — “Shona, shona, shona, pakdo, pakdo, pakdo, ouch,” which makes it very enjoyable. In fact, I have liked this version of the song more. Anjali Mathur, housewife Fun-filled It is a fun song, which is melodious at the same time. It may not be a dance number, but it is entertaining nevertheless. Vijay Wadhwa, Law student, PU (As told to Sabia
Talwar)
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Creamy layer
Cakes are the most popular snacks relished by all age groups. They can be light or heavy according to what we put in. With the addition of fruits and cream, cakes become yummy. The best thing about baking a cake is, we can let our imagination go free while combining flavours and decorating the cakes.
Method l
Cut the sponge into three layers. Place the bottom layer first on the base. l
Sprinkle sugar syrup on the sponge, apply whipped cream on it. l
Put 50 gm pineapple fruit spread on it and spread nicely and properly. l
Now place the second layer and repeat the above procedure. l
Place the final layer, sprinkle sugar syrup and cover the cake completely with whipped cream. l
Add the neutral glaze to the remaining fruit spread and spread nicely on top of the cake to cover the cake completely. l
Garnish the cake with some chocolate grill on the sides, chocolate garnishes and cherry etc. Total weight of the cake would be about 1 kg after excluding the wastage Bector is VP, R&D Bector’s Food Specialties. —As told to Poonam Bindra
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Emperor’s Martini
Vineet Mishra A very elegant cocktail made with a refined quality of vodka. Ingredients l 1 part Grey Goose Vodka l 1 1/2 part guava Juice l 2 tsp lemon Juice l 1 tsp coco splash l 2 mint leaves Instructions In a cocktail shaker, combine ingredients with cubed ice, shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Cocktail trivia: The longest bar in the world is 684 feet (or about 208.5 meters) long and is located at the New Bulldog in Rock Island, Illinois. (Mishra is the director CocktailJockey.com) Pineapple cake Ingredients Vanilla sponge 450 gm Sugar syrup 150 ml Pineapple essence few drops in sugar syrup Non-diary whip topping 200 gm Pineapple F/S 100 gm (for layering ) Pineapple F/S 50 gm (for topping) Neutral glaze 100 gm (to be mixed with 50 gm pineapple F/S for topping) Dark chocolate, white chocolate and red cherry for garnishes
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All that jazz
Every person has a sense of style in his or her own right. Yet there are only a few who’d attract the second glances, who have the power to make the camera go zoom on them. It could be the tousled hair or it could be the torn jeans. Our this week’s face in the crowd, Heena Bharti, stands apart and believes in a couple of basic philosophies when it comes to dressing up. Your sense of style is… I think one must dress according to one’s body type and also the occasion. I also firmly believe that one must be comfortable in what one wears. Latest addition in the wardrobe… A Chanel perfume and a pair of shoes by Charles and Keith. Brand freak or street smart? Though I prefer only good brands, I certainly won’t mind buying something good even if it comes without any big label. Choose one—sporty, glamorous or chic For me, it is glamorous all the way. Isn’t that the look we all aspire for, all the time? Your style icon … I really admire the way my mother dresses up and carries herself. Who’s the worst-dressed celebrity around? I guess it would be Bollywood actress Kajol. I don’t like the stuff she wears and don’t like the way she carries herself either. One fashion trend you don’t understand… Hillar pants. They just don’t make sense and I don’t think anyone can look stylish wearing them. Your take on accessories Accessories, ideally should be kept minimal. For me just a nice bag and a smart watch will do the trick. One thing that boosts your confidence A compliment from people whose feedback you believe in, makes all the difference. You would love to be dressed up by…. None other than Jean Paul Gaultier and Roberto Cavalli when it comes to western wear and among Indian designers I really admire Sabyasachi Mukherji for his signature style. (As told to Manpriya Singh)
(If you think you too fit the profile, get in touch with us at lifestyletribune@gmail.com We’ll sift the best from the rest)
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Agent Vinod is indigenous, contemporary: Saif Ali Khan
Actor Saif Ali Khan says the character of spy essayed by him in yet-to-be-released Agent Vinod reflects contemporary India unlike the James Bond movies where the protagonist was essentially the representative of “capitalist society”. Though Agent Vinod has all the essential ingredients — cars, guns and of course women, with lot of action —of a typical Bond movie, Saif says the spy is entrenched in Indian society. Saif, who is also producer of the spy thriller, says if Agent Vinod could garner even a fraction of popularity of any Bond movie, he would be more than happy. “...If then it is a big thing for us. James Bond is very iconic in this field. James Bond is a British hero against Russia...If we understand the significance of Bond thing then it is very political thing, Western society is capitalist where drinking and smoking is not bad thing...He is hero,” Saif told in an interview. Drawing a line between typical Bond series and the spy thriller, the 41-year-old actor says the protagonist is contemporary and does not carry the baggage of past. “India it seems is no more influenced by Russia. Agent Vinod is not philosophical in the same place. India has also changed and I feel this is the right time to send the agent to London and can be proud of him, he does not look like a 70s hero,” he said. Agent Vinod, written and directed by Sriram Raghavan, features Saif along with Kareena Kapoor in lead roles and is releasing on March 23. — PTI
Saifeena to wed by year end
areena Kapoor has finally spoken about her marriage, revealing that by the end of this year she’ll be tying the knot with beau Saif Ali Khan. Rumours of the Saifeena marriage have been doing the rounds for the past few months, with some even saying that the two actors will wed sometime near the release of their new film Agent Vinod.
However, at an event in New Delhi, Kapoor cleared the air. “I will get married hopefully by the end of this year... because I am busy doing Heroine and I have to finish the film first,” she said. “We are not yet going to announce the date. We are in no such rush but it will happen this year,” she added. —ANI
Pulkit’s perfect launch
TV actor Pulkit Samrat, who is making his Bollywood debut with Bittoo Boss, a film about the journey of a wedding videographer from Punjab, says it is a perfect launch pad for him.
The 28-year-old actor-model, who rose to fame as Lakshya Virani in Ekta Kapoor’s Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, is hoping to make a successful transition from TV to Bollywood through this film. “It is wholesome entertainment. I always thought that if I ever make my Bollywood debut it should be with a film which has a good story, which has emotions, romance. Bittoo Boss is all that I ever dreamt of and is the perfect launch pad for me,” Pulkit told in an interview. The actor says he had to go through several rounds of audition before finally bagging the role in the movie by debutante Supavitra Babul. “I had to undergo several rounds of auditions. Initially, I was constantly being rejected as the role required me to look rugged and director thought I had a sophisticated look. But I worked towards the looks and convinced him finally that I can fit quite well into the role,” he said. Pulkit said he had no idea of the story when he signed the film as he was too excited to bag a lead role. “I signed the film even without reading the script. I had no idea what the story was about. It didn’t matter to me at that time. I was so overwhelmed to get a lead in a film that I couldn’t think of anything else. After waiting for so many years, I am very excited to see the dream come true,” he said.
— PTI
Aamir wants to work with Vidya
Vidya Balan’s charm and enduring performance seems to have impressed ‘perfectionist’ Aamir Khan so much that he has expressed his desire to work with the national award winning actress.
Vidya’s dream run began with R Balki’s Paa (2009) alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Vishal Bharadwaj’s Ishqiya (2010) opposite Nasseruddin Shah, Raj Kumar Gupta’s No One Killed Jessica (2011) alongside Rani Mukherjee, Milan Luthria’s The Dirty Picture (2011) and latest Sujosh Ghosh’s Kahani (2012). With Vidya being compared with Aamir for her perfectionist style—so much so that she is dubbed by some in the industry as a ‘Female Aamir Khan’ — the latter is singing paeans for her. “I think we must call Vidya by her name only and who am I for her to be getting my name? She is very talented and a wonderful actress. I would love to work with her,” Aamir said. Though Aamir has not seen Vidya’s recent movie, but he is lavish in praise for the 34-year-old actress. “I haven’t seen Kahani yet but I have heard very good things about it, people have appreciated and liked the film a lot. Even about Vidyaji I have heard good things. Even people have appreciated and liked her recent films and I congratulate her,” he said. —
PTI
Kunal talks of Blood Money
Kunal Khemu, who will be seen playing the lead role in Mahesh Bhatt’s Blood Money, says his character in the film is simple and anyone can relate to it.
The 28-year-old actor said that his character has the same dreams like every other man. Directed by debut director Vishal Mahadkar, the film will hit screens on March 30. “Anyone who wants to make his life better would be able to relate to the emotions of this guy. There are many dreams of the lead character that any normal middle class person would be able to relate to,” Kunal says. The thriller revolves around a young man who finishes his MBA and earns an overseas job for himself. As soon as the character steps into a foreign land, he is troubled by unforeseen challenges. “We have tried to make sure that the protagonist remains a normal guy from start till the end of the story whereas in other films we see a character starts off as a simpleton and becomes a hero in the end,” Kunal added. In the film, Kunal will be seen sharing the screen space with actress Amrita Puri of Aisha fame. “I really enjoyed working with Amrita. She is quite talented and though she comes from a very different background instead of being from a so-called ‘filmy’ family, she is following her passion as an actress,” he said. — PTI
Charlize is homebound
Charlize Theron, who recently adopted a baby boy, has confessed that she finds it difficult to go out while leaving him at home. The actress was speaking at the Human Rights Campaign gala on Sunday night.
“He’s doing great. It’s very hard for me to leave the house now so you know how important this is because I was like standing at the door going, ‘Ah, this is so hard!” she told the audience. She has been honored with the Ally for Equality award for her advocacy work for the LGBT community. “Marriage equality is about more than just marriage. It’s about something greater. It’s about acceptance ... I will always be your cheerleader and I will always be your friend,” she said. The event was hosted by Chelsea Handler and she joked that despite her aversion to kids, she has managed to maintain her friendship with Theron. “I love Charlize. She’s got her little baby now, she’s a mother “That was almost a reason I stopped being friends with her because I try not to be friends with too many mothers, but we worked through it,” she said. However, Handler added that she isn’t quite ready to sign up for babysitting duty. “I don’t think anyone would ask me to babysit,” she said. — ANI
Adele set to lose
Adele wants to lose weight and is reportedly on a fitness routine to drop two dress sizes before summer. Having shed several pounds after undergoing surgery on her vocal chords last year, the Someone Like Youhit maker has also quit smoking and is said to been keen to continue her good work.
“Adele has found so much more energy now she’s quit smoking. She really wants to get healthier, now that she’s halfway there,” said a source. “She had always been curious about taking up Pilates but until recently there just hadn’t been any time,” the source added. Last month, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld came under fire after branding Adele a “little too fat”, but the 23-year-old singer insists she would never lose weight for anyone other than herself. “I’ve never wanted to look like models on the cover of magazines. I represent the majority of women and I’m very proud of that,” she told in an interview. —
ANI
Beckhams are shopping
David Beckham ensured that his daughter, Harper Seven, gets off to a great start by buying the adorable tot her very first walker. Harper, who is eight months old, will soon be trying to pull herself up off the ground and take her first baby steps.
The 36-year-old, who has plenty of experience with babies having already been through those early years with his three sons: Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, headed to Toys ‘R’ Us in Los Angeles to pick up some new toys for his little girl. Amongst the other purchases was a V-Tech Activity Walker, which has been crafted with the intention of entertaining a baby from the sitting stage through to walking. The LA Galaxy star went shopping at the toy superstore sporting a very basic outfit comprised a plain white T-shirt, green khaki sweatpants rolled up to the knee and black and neon yellow trainers. He accessorised the outfit with a black beanie hat and a pair of wayfarer sunglasses. Priced 34.99 dollars the Sit-to-Stand Activity Walker specialises in interactive learning. —
ANI
Robert Pattinson scared to do comedy
Twilight star Robert Pattinson said that he is too scared to appear on Saturday Night Live because he thinks doing comedy is impossible. The 25-year-old actor said that he would not “in a million years” go on the US comedy programme, which revolves around a number of sketches performed by celebrities, because he would be “terrible” at trying to be funny.
“Doing comedy is impossible. I would be terrible. People have asked me to do things like Saturday Night Live, and there is just no way, not in a million years. That’s just way too scary,” Pattinson said. The star, who is in a relationship with Twilight Saga co-star Kristen Stewart, also said that he isn’t as “crazy” as he used to be because people have certain expectations of him since he became famous. “I used to not care about what anyone thought about anything. Now I’m forced into thinking about things
if I want to have a career. Maybe it’s because I’m older,” he added. —
PTI
Madonna is no control freak
Pop superstar Madonna says she hates assumptions that she is a “control freak” about her music, saying she can’t work alone and values input from other artists.
The 53-year-old, who is preparing to release her 12th studio album, Mdna, said she always collaborates with other artistes and needs to know what they think about the music. “I hate to use the word ‘control’ so much, because people use and bandy that word about with me, when it comes to my creative life. Everyone says ‘Oh you’re a control freak and you like to be in control.’ “The thing is, everything I do, even my songwriting, I’m collaborating at all times. I value input from people, and I want it. I can’t work on my own. I am not Prince or like a lot of artistes, who can go in and play every instrument, and record a track, and not hear from people. I need to hear what people think all the time,” she said. —
PTI
Rihanna finds London gloomy
R&B star Rihanna says she would have bought a house here if the weather wasn’t so bad.
The 24-year-old Umbrella hitmaker admits it would make sense for her to have a base here because she spends so much time in UK.
But one thing that stops her house hunting plans is the weather which is just too gloomy for her. “It is just too cold and too gloomy,” said Rihanna. —
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All diets are rubbish: Sushma Reddy
Bollywood actress and VJ Sushma Reddy is a complete foodie. We caught up with the leggy actress to share her eating habits and workout regime… My workout regime I do Spinning thrice a week for one hour. It’s a great way to burn your fat properly. Each session of spinning burns about 700 calories. I also do pilates and yoga to stay fit. My diet I have an apple every day with a mug of hot-chocolate for breakfast. I eat my lunch early at about 10:30 am. I like to eat salad, brown rice, dal and vegetables. I eat something light in the evening like bhel or chaat. For dinner, I eat pasta, rice or something really proper that fills my stomach. Before sleep, I have lime shot with ground turmeric. It increases your metabolism and is good for your body. Most of the time I keep my meals vegetarian. Diets are no good All diets are rubbish. No matter what diet you take, they all have side-effects, which affect your body in the long run. Instead of dieting, try to maintain a balance in your eating habits and workout.
First take
After her successful stint in six Telugu, Bengali and Oriya films, actress Shreya Jha makes her debut in the television industry. The new telly babe plays Angana Rai Chand in Rajshree Productions and Sahara One love story Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka Aangan Hoga. This Dehradun born commerce graduate Shreya Jha shares her Mumbai diary with Lifestyle. You are shooting non-stop for your television debut Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka Angan Hoga..? Yes, I practically end up shooting the entire day, evening and sometime even in the night. There are lots of changes during the shots, and I have a busy schedule to follow. How did you get this role? One of my family friends asked me to send a photograph to Rajshri Productions for this show. I gave audition for the lead role and Kavita Barjatya on seeing my photo and knowing about my experience offered me the role of Angana Rai Chand. It is a big break for me on small screen. The competency level is very high, I am expected to deliver my best. Tell us about your journey
to the tinsel world? Before entering tinsel world I was Radio Jockey. I did many commercial ad films and acted in six films also. These films were soft romantic stories and thrillers. What excited you about the role? Viewers see different characters on Television. Angna Rai Chand is a beautiful college topper who is loved, admired and pampered by everyone in the family. My character graph is a journey from a pampered spoiled girl to a responsible and loving ideal wife. Though I have played interesting roles in the past, this is by far the most challenging. Angana is as real as possible. How is Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka… shaping up? Good, I am there in every frame. It is a beautiful love story and there is a lot of scope to perform. I am loving the shooting schedule, it is very interesting and hectic also. Tell us something about the show? Well, I am not supposed to reveal much. I play Angana Rai Chand who meets Aakash and falls in love and gets married. The twist in the tale comes when Aakash is brought home as a Ghar Jamaai and how the equation changes is what the story is all about. Any plans of working in Bollywood movies? With Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka Angan Hoga, I have just made my debut on small screen. I am concentrating on this show. But I hope that when it is the right time it will happen. — Dharam Pal
On the top
Channel [V], the leading youth entertainment channel, announces the launch of Suvreen Guggal – Topper of the year, a fascinating story of a small town girl and her adventures in the big city. Set against the backdrop of manifold aspirations, peer pressure, parental problems, college politics and teen anxiety, the story is about youngsters in DPSC College in Delhi. Suvreen Guggal, the quintessential girl from Kathgodam is simple, moralistic, cheerful and determined. Hailing from a middle class family with high expectations, she is instilled with passion to enter the Big fancy city life. Her dreams come crashing down when reality hits hard but Suvreen’s fortitude to fulfill her dreams makes her compelling and charismatic. She fights against all odds becoming a ray of hope for thousands of youngsters at the campus.
Suvreen will be portrayed by Smriti Kalra of 12/24 Karolbagh (Zee TV) fame. Speaking about the show, Smriti said, “Suvreen is very interesting and captivating, it will definitely have a huge connect with the youngsters. Suvreen, hopping and smiling will ask questions that cross your mind, the answers for which cannot obviously be looked for. She will find solutions in her own quirky and funny ways.” Veteran actor Akshay Anand will play Suvreen’s father.
Real life act...
The CID Veerta Awards were held at the Chitrakoot Grounds. Actors Anoop Soni and Mona Singh hosted the event wherein many small screen celebrities -Ronit Roy, Aishwarya Sakhuja, Shweta Tiwari, Sharad Kelkar, Rashmi Desai and composer Anu Malik were present. Jury member veteran Bollywood actress Asha Parekh too was present on the show. The CID Veerta Awards honoured nine unsung heroes in real life. Speaking on the occasion B P Singh, producer - creator of CID said, “Last year a journalist asked me, ‘Has making murder stories and thinking about murder all the time since so many years affected you psychologically? Passion for making a good successful show for 15 years for many could be mistaken for some mental problem’.
Ekta dating Karan Johar?
Not long ago, there were rumours of Ekta Kapoor and Karan Johar dating each other and planning to get married. However, there was no truth to the gossip.
Nonetheless, they still make Ekta laugh. She says, “Oh, my mother was very happy to hear those rumours. But I told her that Karan isn’t ready to marry me. (Laughs)” But has she found someone? “Not really. I have dated but I have severe trust issues. Power comes with a lot of problems. One of them is that, you will never be able to trust anyone. My friends refuse to set me up on a date.”
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Astro turf
ARIES: Avoid getting involved with demanding social issues. There will be minor pinpricks that will provoke you. Workers in the factories will cause a number of delays. Tarot message: Empty promises are certain, therefore try to put your terms and conditions in writing. Lucky colour: Pomegranate red Magic number: 32
TAURUS: Your card Four of Wands promises an excellent day. Fatigue? Monotony? Take a break. Preventing health problem is better than treating them. Group activities should be highly successful. Tarot message: Delays are the only obstacle in your way to success. GEMINI: Charm, diplomacy, respect and cooperation are far better attributes to employ in dealing with people if you want positive results. Tendencies for CANCER: A pleasant day for everything. Be prepared for multiple invitations to LEO: Doing a spell of overtime or catching up with work at home would help pay the bills. Now is the time to distinguish between wants and needs. Your desires seem to have no end but your bank account will dry up before your wants.Tarot message: Beware of depleting your energy on others. Lucky colour: Cream. Magic number: 33 VIRGO: A healthy competitive instinct can be harnessed for greater accomplishment. Stick to what you know and do best and you won’t go wrong. There may be trouble brewing in the family. Tarot message: Versatility will bail you out of a tricky situation. LIBRA: You may have to deal with a crisis. Make the best of it by doing what must be done quickly and effectively. A chance encounter with an ex-flame may revive old memories. A hectic evening ahead for teenagers. Tarot message: You find within yourself a fountainhead of will power. Lucky colour: Saffron. SCORPIO: You should give a serious thought to your business. Decisions that need to be made, especially involving career, should not be put off. You have the clear headedness and courage to bite the bullet. Be alive to the danger of minor injury. Tarot message: Think positive. Lucky colour: Silver grey. SAGITTARIUS: A major domestic purchase can be made with confidence. Be patient, even though you want it immediately. Students, you can be successful in your written tests. Love life suffers due to family problems. Tarot message: Take limited risks with your capital. Lucky colour: Sea green. Magic number: 60 CAPRICORN: Put knowledge into practice or learn how to do something better. Children may enjoy the company of their parents. Businessmen find the day quite hectic. Tarot message: Plan your life to avoid the in-built delays that come your way. AQUARIUS: Your card is Fortune, so this can be a good day on financial front. Try your luck at a range of speculative possibilities. Women between the age PISCES: Relations with fellow workers are on a high and your popularity can increase. Schedule group meetings today. If you shoot for what you really want, it just might happen. Tarot message: Work could pose minor difficulties but don’t worry.
The year ahead
If your birthday is March 20...
If the atmosphere at work isn’t right for risk-taking, its better to find another arena to get this energy out. The number 2 and the Moon make you imaginative, simple, noble, friendly and highly disciplined person. You can easily accomplish difficult tasks with your dedication and hardwork. Saturn is on your side and will give you the necessary energy to reach your targets. Self-employed people could get recognition for their recent efforts, obtaining substantial financial rewards. Pending problems will get sorted out. You will need to have a better sense of humour if you want more respect. If you are willing to try something new, you will not set yourself up for failure. Students will do better. This new 2012-13 in your life will bring you rewards and recognition. Most of your ideas and requests will be well-received but cooperation may sink. In order to fix it, you will have to take the lead, but do it with tact. Emotions may muddy the water near the issues and it will be up to you to clear the air. Your financial position will also improve and you will feel more satisfied with whatever you do. You will be attending an important meeting. Almost everybody will agree on the plan and Mood: Eager or impatient Compatible Signs: Leo, Sagittarius Lucky Colours: Papaya whip, pink Lucky Days: Friday and Sunday. Lucky Numbers: 4, 8, 12, 100 Lucky Gem: Pearl, moon stone, opel. Lucky Flower: Chameli, Mongra.
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Kangana Ranaut [March 20, 1987, Bhambla, Mandi, HP] is the product of Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh. After joining theatre she moved to Mumbai and appeared in Gangster. This was followed by Woh Lamhe Later, Kangana starred in Life In A Metro. She also starred in Shakalaka Boom Boom as an aspiring singer. She co-starred with Priyanka Chopra in Fashion for which she was rewarded. In Tanu weds Manu her role was appreciated. Kangana will rise to the top position in 2015.