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Living on the ramp
Amidst the clacker of heels, background music, and applause, how does one listen to the faintest sound-the inner voice? It gets all the more difficult when one is lost under layers of make-up and a cloud of glamour. Still it's the only sound that gets carried back with the models from the ramp to the green room. Whether a creation complemented the hype created by the designer, did it suit their body type or would they have bought it ever if given a chance…four top fashion models of India share how they feel about becoming a muse for the fashion designers and walking the ramp for them. They lend words to their faint inner voices.
A model acts as a medium between designers and buyers; we introduce a particular collection to the fashionistas. It thus becomes imperative for us to carry off the creation really well. Doing it clumsily might give buyers a message that the outfit isn't easy to carry off. I have never made any effort to judge an outfit, as that would have hampered my objectivity. Besides a designer, I also represent the karigars, the make-up artistes and the lot of people who help me backstage. If I will start being judgmental about a creation, I will never be able to carry it off with confidence on the ramp. An objection to an outfit will only come if it's too revealing and indecent.
When the figure stands at 15 shows in a span of three days, you can well-imagine how hectic the schedule had been at the Wills India Lifestyle Fashion Week held last month. But than in all these years, I have become used to it-switching from ethnic to Indo-Western to gothic to Venetian and then to resort wear. What at times baffles me is how attuned I have become, I can just carry off anything on the ramp, even if the outfit is nothing short of bizarre. My focus remains on doing justice to my job and the hard work of the designer. While people think that top models get the best of the outfits, the truth is that we get the most difficult ones that would make a fresher conscious on the ramp. The only costume I would blatantly say no to is bikini; no amount of persuasion can help as it doesn't suit my sensibilities.
Extended version: Indrani Dasgupta
Can a job get more interesting? I get to wear the best of the designer wear, experiment with my hair-dos and make-up. As models, we have certain compulsions, we have to wear even what we don't like, but which job offers you all the liberty? Designers repose faith in us and we try to do justice to their creations. Most of the times, the dresses do the talking. We are mere carriers but if we don't do our job as it is meant to be, trust me the creation will lose its appeal. Our work is simple, easy but not dispensable. ashima@tribunemail.com
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Unforgettable!
Rajshree Productions' Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli is going great, has completed 600 episodes. And, the responsibility to add masala to the show falls on the shoulders of known face from tellyworld, Iqbal Khan.
The actor, all revved
up to play a Bengali babu, shares with us his journey, "Life took a usual course for me. Modelling happened in Delhi and the obvious next step was to head to Mumbai." Telly led to cinema,
but Iqbal has just started. Picking up the roles that are far from his own personality, challenges Iqbal. And, playing Dr Viren is one such challenge for him. While Viren, a neurosurgeon doesn’t mince his words and is in-your
face honest, Iqbal is the opposite in real life. "I would rather ignore than confront." Having wrapped up much of the schedule of the movie Unforgettable, Iqbal wants to give his 100 per cent to the Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli. On the personal front, it's his lovely wife Saneha and daughter Amara who keep him occupied. And, yes, he has a city-connect as well. "I am non-vegetarian by nature but the only veg burger I can eat is from Hot Millions. Just love it," says Iqbal, who did schooling from Pine Grove Boarding School and Lawrence School Sanawar. "Those were the most amazing days ever that set the foundation of an independent life," he recalls. mona@tribunemail.com
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Play time
Forget the usual 9 to 5 deadline of a sarkari naukri and a mundane tea-break at the nearby tea stall; instead add some zing to your working style the corporate way.
To make work more fun and build team spirit, the corporate sector keeps coming up with new programmes for their employees. One such programme we came across lately was Vodafone's Gajjab
rasoia- Zindagi ke mazey contest. As interesting as it reads, this contest was no less than a 'mini
masterchef' contest where the marketing team of the company decided to play host and run a contest among themselves and cook a meal for the rest to judge. "The 20-member marketing team was divided into five teams of four members each, and each team was assigned a day between Monday to Friday to present their food. Cooking is a gastronomic delight and the teams created their own themes and presented a variety of fare and judges were appointed to judge the meal," says a spokesperson of Vodafone. Judging the teams on presentation, taste and temperature of the food this week-long festival saw teams emerging as great cooks. Says an employee, "Work pressure is always there but such activities add to the spirit and makes us one big happy family. And with these festivals we also get to meet the families and that adds to the flavour of oneness." Employee engagement is one of the strongholds of the corporates and leaving no stone unturned to make their employees feel special, they often come up with workshops, outdoor activities and even foreign trips. And believing the same, an official spokesperson of Airtel says, "We strongly believe that the concept of employee engagement has a direct correlation with their efficiency and morale. Employee engagement at our company mainly revolves on three main pillars—capability building, developing competitive spirit and Fun@Workplace. We aimed at developing the competitive spirit and in this programme the entire teams across four states of Punjab,
Haryana, HP and J&K went through WAR-- a paint ball-based learning initiative where the participants got an opportunity to demonstrate their combat skills and passion to win in a real time war like environment. Such events, apart from edging participants' strategy building, achievement orientation and understanding self and competition helped in giving a high energy based motivating experience to the employees. At Fun@workplace we intend to create a vibrant environment at workplace. We have fun polling, which is aimed at selecting employees who have similar characteristics as famous personalities; there is treasure hunt which is aimed at team work and Art of Living to touch the heart and soul of employees. All such events focus on health, fun and team spirit. These are for the
corporates, but Fortis too brings sunshine not only on the faces of their patients but their doctors too. Fortis HR is organising a family picnic at Thunder Zone. "The employees would come with their families and can have a blast.” With these kind of activities going on in the office premises, Jack is sure not going to be a dull boy!
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Straight from Pak
The stall, Masks, has unstitched suit pieces in pure cotton with ribbon ands jaali work starting from Rs 500. Gulaboo has hand embroidered suits and sarees with intricate and neat embroideries staring with Rs 4,000. Mab Exports offers a variety of chiffon hand embroidered suits and some with gotta patti and sequence work. There are unstitched velvet suits in self-designs which start from Rs 3,000. Moving forward, we get to know that Anarkalis with more and more kalis are here to stay. So Bushra Fashion offers Anarkali suits. Handicraft Association of Pakistan has complete suits with dupattas and salwars in chiffon, Swiss lawn and cotton which look elegant with their kaftan look and round cuts. The price range starts from Rs 4,700. Stone patches on the neck and lace work, a specialty of Pakistan, stand out from the rest. To match these ethnic wear, one needs some footwear as well, so there are Punjabi juttis and slippers at MJY Traders with phulkari and gotta for the bling effect which start from Rs 500. Another stall has footwear with stone work and hand-made patches. Any woman who knows about Pakistan will definitely look out for the Hashmi surma and ittar which are available in
this exhibition. Every region has its signature handicrafts and at Super Handicrafts you will
find wooden, green onyx and brass handicrafts, there are colourful glass lamp shades as well. There are also handmade key chains in the shape of Punjabi juttis available
at a price of Rs 50. It is a well-spread display and you need plenty of time to do justice. At the end there are food items like chicken biriyani, seekh kebab, fried fish and lot more straight from Lahore. (On till March 26) sabiatalwar@tribunemail.com
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Larger than life
Stepping into the much-hyped role of mafia don Dawood Ibrahim in Sanjay Gupta’s Shootout at Wadala, Sonu Sood says the film will see him do many things for the first time onscreen.
The 38-year-old actor, who has recently begun shooting his part, said that a lot of research has gone into shaping his role and look in the film. “I have been reading stuff on Dawood. I have sat for hours to discuss my look. A lot of homework has gone into preparing for the role. We have done so much of research for the character and the script, to get the right look.
“I have a moustache and the 70s-inspired costumes to get that period’s look. There are a lot of things I am doing for the first time on screen,” Sonu said in an interview. Vivek Oberoi was supposed to play Dawood’s role in the film, but he had a fall-out with the director. Shootout at Wadala, which dramatises the first registered encounter by Mumbai police where gangster Manya Surve was shot dead in 1982, also stars John Abraham and Anil Kapoor. Police encounter is the crux of another upcoming film of Sonu’s. The actor is on the right side of the law playing a cop in Maximum, a film based on encounters in Mumbai between 2003 and 2008. Directed by Kabeer Kaushik, the film also stars Naseeruddin Shah and Vinay Pathak. Sonu says this film gave him an inside view about the workings of a police department, as he spoke to a few policemen to prepare for his role. “A lot of drama is created on screen in a film to make it look larger than life. But when I learnt about these encounters, I came to know how cool the entire thing is. There is so much hype surrounding an encounter but it is a routine job for the policeman. I tried to keep that essence in my character.” And this is where Maximum is different from other cop dramas like Dabangg or Singham. “Other cop dramas are high on mass appeal with dramatic scenes, actions, song and dance. Maximum is more on the realistic side. We have drawn references from real life. The film definitely has a more realistic edge,” said Sonu. After he immortalised the role of villain Chhedi Singh in Dabangg, there was lot of speculations about Sonu being cast in the film’s sequel. While Prakash Raj has been signed on to play the bad guy in Dabangg 2, Sonu says Chhedi Singh might return in a later project. “A script has to give you a kick. Chhedi Singh had become larger than life after Dabangg, so I was clear that if he has to come back, it would have to be something very special. “I shared my thoughts with Arbaaz and Salman Khan and they were sweet enough to understand.”
— PTI
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Asin’s rather choosy
Actress Asin Thottumkal says she is selective when it comes to taking up films that come her way.
Asin, who made her Bollywood debut opposite Aamir Khan in 2008 blockbuster Ghajini, for the first time has two films releasing this year. “It is just my pace of work, even down south I haven’t been very prolific with my work though it is not a conscious decision that I will work on one film at a time. I look at offers if they have a good team to work with, nice script and role... and if everything fits in then I take it (project) up,” Asin told in an interview. “I am not under any sort of financial pressure to take up so many films and make much money,” the 26-year-old said. After her successful debut, the gorgeous actress also starred in London Dreams and Ready. Asin, who has done only three Hindi films since 2008, says she is not an insecure person and hence does not take up whatever comes her way. “I am not insecure that if I don’t do certain amount (of) work in a particular time period then I am going to be nowhere,” she said. The Kochin-born model-cum-actress, who started her career with a Malayalam movie, says she is rather choosy about the offers she gets.
— PTI
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Unconventional approach...
TV presenter Ayushman Khurana, who plays the role of a sperm donor in his debut Bollywood film Vicky Donor, is happy to begin his career with an unconventional project.
Khurana, 27, acted in theatres for five years and says he was waiting for the right opportunity for the past four years. “I always wanted to be an actor. After I won Roadies, I got many offers of second lead or lead in many films. But those scripts didn’t excite me. I waited for four years. Then Shoojit Sircar approached me and I thought this is the one which I was waiting for,” Khurana said in an interview. After winning Roadies, he shifted to radio and video jockeying and thereafter he took off as a commercial television anchor with multiple-talent based reality shows like India’s Got Talent, Music Ka Maha Muqqabla and Just Dance. Ayushman says his focus right now is to concentrate on his acting and select films which are performance-oriented. “I have entered in a very safe zone by starting my career with such a strong film. I am not a star kid and don’t have a godfather in the industry. The film which I should be doing should be unconventional. Since, subject in the film is the king, it will support me to evolve as an actor,” he said. Vicky Donor, which will hit screens on April 10, is a comic take on the serious issue of sperm donation and infertility. “It’s a youth based film and our target audience are youth. So, it was necessary for us to spread the message in a quirky way and at the same time maintain its essence. It’s similar to street plays. We have only tried to enlighten people about this issue,” Ayushman Said.
— PTI
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Charlize Theron enjoys playing evil
Actress Charlize Theron says she is enjoying this phase of her career where she is playing evil characters. The actress is playing Evil Queen Ravenna in Snow White and the Huntsman, a new and dark take on the popular fairy tale.
The actress teamed up with Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth in the movie. This is just one of the projects she has this summer. She is also starring in Ridley Scott’s new sci-fi epic Prometheus alongside Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace. Snow White and the Huntsman will be released June 1.
— IANS
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It’s lonely at the top
Actress Jennifer Lawrence says her life can be lonely because she is so busy with her career. The 21-year-old actress, who said she enjoyed travelling around the world to promote her movies, also admitted she misses her family and friends.
“You stay in amazing hotel suites and I love the travelling and the people I work with, but yes, it’s a lonely lifestyle,” the actress said. “It took me years to find the friends I’ve got. I think it’s important to keep those people and family in life.”— IANS
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Agent Vinod
The action scenes have been directed by Peter Heins and Parvez Fazal Khan. — Dharam Pal
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Love for the summer sun
Aditi Gupta, who is seen in Life Ok’s Zindagi Smile Please, is one actress who is not cribbing this summer. She loves this season and prefers it to winter. Aditi shares some tips about how you can have fun this summer. What is the best and worst part
about summer? I love summer and will choose it over winter any day. The best part is that I don’t require to be in an AC room all the time, just a fan is enough for me. The worst part is that my skin gets tanned easily during summer. What do you prefer to wear
during summers? I prefer wearing minimum clothes (laughs). All the light colours like whites and yellows come out from my closet during summer. I also love wearing flowery tops and dresses. Do you take any precautions before leaving home during summer? I have noticed that no amount of sunscreen can protect your skin from getting tanned during this season. The best precaution is to try and stay at home till evening. Also try and avoid eating too many mangoes as it causes breakouts on the face. Which are your favourite seasonal
fruits and why? I know that I should not be eating mangoes but it is my favourite fruit and I cannot give it up. I eat it even though I am getting breakouts on my face. Do you enjoy gorging on ice-creams
or kulfi and which are your favourite flavours? I love kulfi but unfortunately it is not easily available in Mumbai. I want to gorge on kaju and other dry fruit kulfis. I will not mind even having two a day. Is there any special food/beverage
that you include in your diet during summer? I love to eat everything including junk food. At times, I avoid ghar ka khaana. I was recently unwell and suffered from dehydration, so I now include a lot of water and coconut water in my diet. Which is your favourite perfume
or deodorant? My favourite perfume is Issey Miyake. I own almost all the men’s perfumes available. I don’t like the flowery perfumes meant for women. I own just one women’s perfume and that too because someone who did not know my choice had gifted it to me. If you get an opportunity to go
on a holiday, which destination would you choose? I have never been to Goa. Please someone take me there. People on the sets keep talking about the shacks and beaches and I ask them to change the topic because I get really jealous. Are there any childhood memories
of summer holidays that you would like to share? I have some really good memories of summer vacations. I am bad at making friends, so my mom used to enroll me in summer classes, hoping that I will open up to people. I trained in everything from basketball to swimming and various other activities.
Share some advice about how fans can beat the heat? What I have been doing this summer is staying awake at night and sleeping in the afternoon. That way you get up in the evening by the time the sun has set. You can try out that trick too and avoid the heat completely.
Marriage & after
While for most marriage means change, for the beautiful Sanjeeda Sheikh who married Aamir Ali earlier this month, life is the same. She is doing Sahara One’s Piya Ka Ghar Pyaara Lage and reported on set three days after her wedding which surprised many. In fact the cast thought her dressing style would change but there is nothing that can change anything about this lady.
Actress Soha Ali Khan who debuted as host with game show Khelo Jeeto Jiyo on Star Plus, now might be back. Rumours are that she will host a show on TLC, which is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions India.
Face off
In the upcoming episodes of Pavitra Rishta on Zee TV, Archana (Ankita Lokhande) will find out that Tejaswini (Mrinalini Tyagi) is her daughter during a huge celebration. Tejaswini will back out of doing a Lavani on stage when she spots her dad Manav and when Archana questions her Tejaswini reveals that Manav is her dad.
Greener pastures
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The year ahead
If your birthday is March 23...
Today is new Vikrami Samvat (Hindu Calender year) 2069 commencing and your birthday also falls on the first Navratra. This year, the 9-day-Navratra will extend to 10 days. This makes your birth year more auspicious. You have option to visit religious places and wish for welfare. The current year will bring in lots of changes. Whether you’re acquiring new skills, volunteering for a new project or looking at a grander-scale shakeup, the Mercury and Jupiter shed light on your efforts. Initiatives to undertake family responsibilities will be appreciated and lots of great results might be followed by this. You will be multitasking to balance several needs and goals. You will have respect from several people. There will be a need to contribute energy for taking romantic life to the next level. Ruled by number five and Mercury, you are practical, energetic, trustworthy and possess a strong intuition. You are popular in your group because you are witty and intelligent. For those involved in romantic entanglement, chances of a matrimonial alliance will be high. Travel will bring pleasure. You’ll be loquacious and a superior will be pleased at the way you express yourself. It will be a good time for career growth. Discipline issues dominate, especially with family members and anywhere money comes into play. Things will keep marching in the right direction in your career. It will be a better year for people connected with finance or banking industry. You will make new friends and expand your circle of networking pals. Friend-of-a-friend is the best way to solve problems inexpensively and effortlessly. Health this year looks good. You’ll be courageous and confident, ready to face any problems. Towards the end of July, you might become more vulnerable and you’ll ignore possible health problems. A cozy cosmic mood makes you down to earth, opening you to spend quality time with your lover-friend. Sometimes you don’t have to know exactly what the next step will be, you just need to realise that it’s time to take that step. That kind of wisdom comes in handy. Mood: Vulnerable at times. Compatible signs: Taurus and Scorpio. Lucky colours: Brown, Thistle. Lucky days: Your lucky days will be Thursday and Sunday. Lucky numbers: 7, 14, 44, 57, 99. Lucky gem: Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby. Lucky flower: Dark red rose. Suggestion on birthday: Deposit money in bank accounts.
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Astro turf
ARIES: You win over one enemy. Family life is charged with tension. Financially the first half of the day is rather expensive. Writers will find their work in print. Keep cool and maintain a low profile. Tarot message: Do not swing away from the course you have charted so far. Lucky colour: Mauve.
Magic number: 49
TAURUS: Those who are spiritually inclined or who want to stay calm are likely in search of solitude. Cosmic wisdom will weave into your affairs. Kindness spreads around you. Tarot message: Be positive and think carefully before taking action.
Lucky colour: Turquoise. Magic number: 42 GEMINI: Your card The Universe favours good progress in your profession and business. Be wary of a situation where it would be easy to make a mistake in haste. Distant affairs will become more favourable. Tarot message: Do not let anyone take advantage of you. Lucky colour: Bottle green.
Magic number: 25 CANCER: Your card reveals a romantic interest. If you have a lover, this is the day to treat them to a generous gift accompanied by an intimate dinner. Fortune can smile on you from the least expected sources. Tarot message: Don’t be too certain about obtaining a clearance. Lucky colour: Purple. Magic number: 38 LEO: Buy the right outfit for your sports programme. Dress for success to make a great impression on employers. Contact your parents if you have not called them lately. Tarot message: Do not swing away from the course you have charted so far.
Lucky colour: Yellow. Magic number: 29 VIRGO: Household task can be done in record time. Speculation would be most unwise. No
problem should arise in romance. You will feel great with your renewed energy. Tarot message: Capitalise on your strength
and do not trust others. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 60
LIBRA: You will be popular with both the sexes today. Boring routine jobs can be made more bearable through teamwork. You may be feeling vulnerable to the criticism of neighbours or friends. Tarot message: Focus on better to mitigate the bitter.
Lucky colour: Black. Magic number: 59. SCORPIO: Many of you will scurry to be on time, frantically trying to complete all the tasks before the day is out. Make efforts to conclude projects. Secrecy of plans will help you at place of work. Tarot message: Wait and watch Impatience will lead to failure. Lucky colour: Cream.
Magic number: 54 SAGITTARIUS: Caring conversations and heart-to-heart talks flow easily. Cool down with water sports such as swimming or surfing. Be wary of over-confidence which could lead to recklessness. Tarot message: Unfinished business will unleash new problems. Lucky colour: Grey.
Magic number: 39 CAPRICORN: A burst of domestic enthusiasm can sweep into cleaning and decorating your home. Married will enjoy evening in a different way. Feeling fit can only add to your confidence in your abilities. Tarot message: You need to cultivate understanding & humility. Lucky colour: Ebony. Magic number: 63 AQUARIUS: Differences of opinion within the family could reach a boiling point. A stubborn response on your part won’t help. It is important to be fun loving. Love life runs into trouble. Tarot message: If you are tempted to travel overseas don’t waste money by financing the trip yourself. Lucky colour: Saffron. Magic number: 27 PISCES: If you are not okay about a relationship finance or career issues, take positive action rather than stewing about it. The employed will have to work overtime. Keep a low profile. Tarot message: Dare to accomplish those tasks which normally take up a lot of time. Lucky colour: Camelish. Magic number: 40
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Not judgmental: Jesse Randhawa
Doing justice: Sonalika Sahay
As a fashion model, your job goes beyond presenting the designer's creation on the ramp. If that was the case, then mannequins would have sufficed for the purpose. When I sport a design at a fashion week, I treat it as an extension of me, something that I own. But when you know that a creation is not in tandem with what you believe, it gets challenging. It takes a lot of confidence to present before the world what you aren't convinced with in the first place. So, as a professional model, I don't go into the detailing of the costume. Another difficult aspect of the job is that the work doesn't end at just wearing an outfit, the accessories have to be right and even the make-up and looks have to complement the creation. Looking glamourous is a very tiring job.
Easy but indispensable: Lakshmi Rana
The ongoing Made in Pakistan exhibition at the Himachal Bhawan, Chandigarh brings to the city the typical Pakistani suits with hand embroideries, Pakistani cuts and kalis, unstitched suits with ribbon work and laces. Enter the first stall and you see a palmist and astrologer sitting, maybe to predict how much will you spend at the fair.
After Kurbaan the real-life couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor will be seen together in chiller thriller Agent Vinod that everyone is expecting to be a Hindi version of a Bond film. It is reportedly inspired by the James Bond series, Jason Bourne, 24 and Tin Tin. For Agent Vinod, Bond has definitely been an inspiration but director Sriram Raghvan has added a different flavour and a new twist to this action-thriller. It is an intelligent entertainer in which the hero is flamboyant and real. The buzz around Agent Vinod is tremendous because it is a Bollywood film, complete with all the trappings that define typical desi action thriller. Gulshan Grover plays an important character in the film. Agent Vinod has been shot extensively in foreign locations like London, Capetown (South Africa), Tangiers, Marrakesh (Morrocco), Riga and St. Petersburg. 
Back to telly world
As Nandish Sandhu won’t by playing Veer Singh in Uttaran he is considering doing Jay Mehta’s new show on Zee TV. The show is touted to be inspired from Namastey London and will be shot in London and Chandigarh. With Sukirti Kandpal on board, Nandish might play Akshay Kumar’s role from the film.
Nicholle Tom (March 23, 1978) celebrating her birthday today, is a famous actress, known for her role as Maggie Sheffield on
The Nanny. She is twin sister of actor David Tom. Before her fame, she was known for playing in Beverly Hills.