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Chef Kunal Kapoor is not living a haloed life despite his success. He credits his success to being at the right time, at the right place Mona
The beginning Born in a Punjabi family, Kunal got his first lessons in cookery at home. In their big, joint family, men took over the kitchen on Sundays as ladies put their feet up for that day. “It was sitting on the kitchen slab that I imbibed my first lessons and also the confidence that it’s perfectly normal for men to be in the kitchen,” says Kunal, who got surprised glances when he shared in school the lunch his dad packed for him. On success Training and working hard in the field has catapulted Kunal where he is today. And, he takes no credit for it. “I have reached here because of lots of people who came along in my journey. My family, friends, teachers, co-workers, I couldn’t have done much without them.” There is another factor that he credits his success to. “There are many more talented chefs in the country, it’s been always the God’s grace with me.” Undying zeal One credit that he doesn’t disclaim is that he has put his heart and soul in his passion-profession. While in college he would make extra dishes than the required course work and often invite wrath of his teachers who would think he does that to eat more. But by and by, they realised his zeal for cooking and encouraged him. Keep on inventing Presently chef de cuisine, Diya, Leela Kempinski, Gurgaon, Delhi, Kunal and his team work consistently to revamp the menu every 4-6 months. “Surveys show that 71 per cent of our clientele is repeat. We want to keep the menu exciting for them. Our hits stay but we keep introducing new dishes.” Cherished profession Are men better chefs? “I don’t think so. If all our mothers can dish out delicacies day in and day out without any training, then I think anyone can cook. It’s sad that women have been cooking since forever but very few are in the profession. And, sadly the number is not rising. I think it has to do more with cooking not being a respected profession still in India. In Europe, Australia and America, chefs are usually also the owners and command respect. In fact there are places where major streets are named after the chefs! We are yet to see anything of that sort here in India. Indian cuisine Indian cuisine is one of the most complex ones. Try an Italian or American or European dish, those are so simple. A tinge of cinnamon in muffin or pepper in chicken, it’s sorted. But ours have number of ingredients followed by range of cooking techniques. Often when I come across chefs from other countries, they ask how we can create clear flavours out of 20 odd ingredients and as many as eight spices. But that’s what Indian cooking is about. Future endeavours Associated with Leela still, Kunal intends to open his chain of restaurants one day. And, he has Gulf in mind. He is open to having one in Chandigarh if he gets the right partnership! mona@tribunemail.com Chandigarh connect Kunal Kapoor studied at the Chandigarh Institute of Hotel Management. And, he fondly recalls the time. “Well, it was like a three year paid holiday,” he laughs. “Yes, I also had to work very hard in the third year,” admits Kunal. In fact, it’s his teacher Vinod Sidhu’s launch of a new bakery that brought him here. “One can never pay back what teachers give you. It’s just a small gesture.” During the launch, he stood there not as a celebrity but a family member, only too happy to see some of his other teachers. Soon after, Kunal was off to see the landlords he stayed with during his college days. “I am so much indebted to Chandigarh and its people who made my graduation years such fun with their warm and caring ways” The artisan bakers Vinnie’s -34 promises to bring the best of puddings, pies and cakes at competitive prices to Chandigarh. Their speciality is going to be Photo Cakes for which they have tied up with an American firm. A lovely girl or fine paisley are some of the samples. “Give us a picture and we will make a cake for you,” offers Akash Sidhu, who is proud of his baker background. Son of Vinod Sidhu, founder of Polka, this father-son duo will soon come up with workshops and courses for those willing to learn the fine art of baking. And, you can order your customised photo cake at Rs 500 a kg onwards.
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On a song
It’s not anxiety for sure. But two hours before each show, Neeraj Shridhar experiences a feeling that certainly doesn’t fall in the bracket of being calm and composed. He can’t give any interviews or interact with people. He wishes to be left alone and prepare in peace to give a power-packed performance. It wasn’t any different at the Bling concert held in Chandigarh on Sunday night.
“When I have to perform for hours at a stretch, I prefer to focus on my work. Staying alone for sometime is kind of meditation for me. Keeping audience on their toes for two hours is after all not an easy task,” says Neeraj, Bollywood’s playback singer who has to his credit several hit tracks. So, on Monday, Neeraj makes up for it all. He readily gives an interview, gets candid about his job profile, shares his success story and talks about certain self-made rules that he likes to follow. Choice of music “I don’t choose music, music chooses me. I get calls from music directors and I happily oblige. What matters then is how I deliver the song, how I can improvise it,” says Neeraj, whose recent hits include I’ll Do The Talking from Agent Vinod and Jhak Maar Ke from Desi Boyz. A song becomes a hit only if it has to offer something different. But of late, it’s not just the music directors who call a singer on board, it’s also the lead actors who have a say. “Though not everyone enjoys this privilege. It’s only the big names in the industry (certain Khans and Akshay Kumar) who can decide as to which singer would suit their voice or vice-a-versa.” One of the rules Neeraj follows everytime he is in his home state Punjab, is (He hails from Jalandhar) not to sing a bhangra track. “That is what any singer from Punjab is expected to do. I believe we are capable of knowing more music. I stick to Rock and Bollywood music especially when I am here.” Bollywood vs individual albums The latter form of music was stopped being produced by the production companies, since there were no takers. Bollywood is the clear winner and Neeraj doesn’t mind being on the winning side. “There is a lot of space for work in the industry. Anybody who has got talent will get a chance to showcase it. It doesn’t demand money from singers, rather it pays them well. On the contrary, for the individual album, you have to make sure there are profit margins.” It’s not people’s choice of music but economics that dictate the music trends in the industry. Bigger challenge—original or remix Neeraj admits that wherever he has reached today is because he got a great start with remix or as he explains it, “Remake of songs.” Having sung both originals and remixed versions, he feels the latter is any day more challenging. “When I sing an original track, it comes straight from the heart, I sing it how it appeals me.” In case of working on an already popular track, a lot of factors are taken into consideration. “The lyrics then become my responsibility. Music has to be a notch better than the original, otherwise why would people tune into my version.” Reality shows need more Unlike most of the popular singers, Neeraj hasn’t been on the panel of judges for any reality show. Not that he didn’t get offers. “Just that I don’t have enough time,” he adds. The second reason he states is that he is disappointed with the criteria on which one is adjudged a better singer in the competition. “Why can’t reality shows handover original lyrics and makes original music for the contestants? “ Reality shows need to have more real and original.
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Get, set, go…
The rise in airfares has definitely not dampened the spirit of holiday makers Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra
"There is a mixed response and people are definitely not ready to break their holiday dreams for the hike in airfares and as it is the domestic flights have become equally expensive," says Rekha, team leader, operations, Shergill travels. She adds, "People from down south are definitely game for Kullu-Manali and Shimla, but for our city people there is no stopping from going on a foreign holiday." Well, they don't call our city 'rich' for nothing!
Nisha from Grand Travels in Sector 17 agrees, "Goa and Kerela are the most preferred destinations for a holiday but people don't prefer going there during the summer. And from the economy point of view, airfares have not really affected the foreign holiday as whether you go to Goa or Bangkok, there is hardly any difference."
Nodding in agreement Rekha adds, "If you book a holiday in advance, it is definitely the same cost whether in India or to any South Asian country, especially Bangkok. And we've noticed people don't mind spending few thousands here or there if they get a deal to visit offshore."
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Cut to size
satish narula
Propagating plants is not difficult. There is, however, a thin line between success and failure. With a little twist in technology that you are adapting, you can achieve almost cent per cent results. The most common method of propagation is by way of cuttings. As I mentioned above, with the exception of euphorbia and poinsettia that are propagated during the summer and also barring the deciduous plants that shed leaves in the winter, almost all the plants are multiplied in the rainy season. This is due to the fact that there is plenty of humidity in the atmosphere and the dying of cutting otherwise is mostly due to desiccation. It is easy to make cuttings but check whether you are following the same procedure. The cutting is made about nine inches long. The lower edge of the cutting should be given a slant cut and more than half of the cutting should be dipped in the medium, whether you are using soil or the sand. The slant cut provides more of the surface area for the absorption of water by the cuttings. Keep the medium moist, taking care at the same time that there is no stagnation of water. In that case the cutting will rot. The sprouting of the cutting immediately after planting is no indication that it has started. It is only after about a month or so when it has grown a few true leaves that it is ready to transplant. At that time, it should be lifted with the help of a thin wood twig by howling upwards. Another most exciting method of propagation is making the plants in liquid medium. This can be done in almost all the indoor plants like monstera, dieffenbachia, syngoniums, dracaena, yucca, pineapple and many more. (Narula is a PAU horticulturist)
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Steep or shallow the position of the body
Jesse Grewal
The correct work of the body would be to create a rotation around a fixed axis. For some the idea of a weight shift leads to the wrong movement of the body. A lateral or sliding action of the body will also have a weight shift. On the other hand rotation or turning the body creates the centrifugal force that powers the golf swing and has some weight shift but not as much as in a lateral sliding move. The action is similar to a discuss throw. Focus more on creating a turning movement of the body and not shifting the weight. The old adage of swinging within a barrel is a great image to create. Stick a broken shaft or an umbrella on either side just outside your feet. Make sure that they are so placed that you do not hit your hands into them while you are swinging your club. When you swing the club the hips should be turning within these shafts or within the vertical lines made from the outside of your feet. This helps us be 'centered' and creates the right angle of approach of the club to the ball and better impact.
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Scintillating sorbets
Kandla Nijhowne
Sorbets are not cream-based so they are lighter on the stomach and in calories too. All seasonal fruits can be turned into tangy sorbets, which you can scoop out and serve with some chopped fruit, syrup or a dollop of creamy yogurt. If you are feeling particularly thin, a little mound of lightly sugared, vanilla flavoured whipped cream is a perfect combination. Sunshine Mango Sorbet Ingredients n ¾ -1 cup grain sugar n 3 large mangoes n 1 egg white or 2 tbsp cornflour n Juice of 2-3 lemons n ½ tsp vanilla extract Method Use a heavy pan and dissolve the sugar with 1½ cups of water. Increase heat to high and bring to the boil. Cook, without stirring, for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature. n Peel and chop the mangoes, then puree in a blender till smooth. Flesh in a food processor and process until smooth. n If not using egg whites, stir the cornflour into a paste along with very little water and add to the pan. Cook till it thickens further. n Add lemon juice to taste. n Add vanilla, and then cover with plastic wrap and freeze. Keep stirring the mixture with a fork to fluff up the semi-frozen paste. This process can be continued several time over 2 hours. n If using eggs, now beat the white until soft peaks form. Fold into the mango mixture. Freeze for three hours, until just frozen. n Place in a food processor and process until smooth. Return to the pan and freeze for another three hours or until firm. n
Scoop out into smooth spheres and serve with diced mango. (Nijhowne is a
Chandigarh-based culinary expert)
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Fair deal...
Skin lightening creams are catching the fancy of all—young and old, men and women. Here's checking out how safe these are Dr Suruchi Gupta
Know your skin First and foremost thing to keep in the mind is that one must use these products strictly depending upon their skin type, which can be easily determined by your dermatologist. The safe period to use these formulations is not beyond two to three months. The most serious risks or side effects of skin lightening creams are due to their overuse, and that can actually cause the opposite of the desired effect. One of the most commonly used skin lightening cream, easily sold over the counter is steroid-based preparation. Betnovate is one such household name which is being misused for instant skin whitening! But prolonged use may lead to dreadful side-effects like thinning of skin, excessive hair growth, persistent redness and flushing of skin etc. Side effects Some of these ingredients are banned in the Western world due to their risk of doubtful carcinogenic (cancer inducing) potential. Some animal studies have shown high amounts of kojic acid to cause serious side effects on various organs and body systems, including the nervous system. It is noted that the cosmetics industry has yet to prove the safety of kojic acid in humans, and further research is recommended. Hydroquinone is another commonly used skin lightening ingredient which may sometimes cause paradoxical pigmentation. Tretinoin, another very effective lightening agent is best avoided during pregnancy and breast feeding. The other common side effects of skin lightening products include allergic contact dermatitis (rash) leading to bumps, redness, irritation, swelling and oozing. The rule of thumb is that if you develop any side effect, discontinue the product immediately. It works However, these products are definitely effective to variable extents depending upon the combination of ingredients they contain. Religious use of sunscreen is a must for achieving any type of fairness. Under the expert guidance of a dermatologist and by using products that are safe and effective for your skin type, you can surely achieve the results you're looking for! (Dr Gupta is a Chandigarh-based dermatologist and cosmetologist)
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Not without my music
Despite the fame and cash, Gaga insists it is still all about the music and her every move, push and shove of the boundaries is followed by her army of fans, or Little Monsters as she fondly refers to them. “I always say that my music is my husband,” a publication quoted her as telling Insider. “It is my absolute life and soul. I wake up in the morning with tears in my eyes and I get inspired to write new songs. I was born to make music and I was born to perform. “Every moment of every day I am dreaming up new music, dreaming up ways of making my tour and stage more extravagant and beautiful than ever before,” she said. Her current world tour is her biggest so far and is set to wrap up in the US in March. Kinney, 30, reportedly joined the megastar during her concerts in Thailand and Singapore last month and is rumoured to be coming to Australia. —ANI
The nuptial knot
A representative for 42-year-old actor has confirmed about the nuptials and said Alves is all set to take the groom's last name. Wedding guests included actor Woody Harrelson and filmmaker Richard Linklater, who camped out the night before in the back garden of McConaughey's Austin compound. They stayed in two-person luxury tents with air-conditioners. McConaughey, who met the model turned designer at a Los Angeles bar in 2006 and began dating soon afterward, proposed to her on Christmas Day. —PTI
Riding high on newcomers
From highlighting absolutely unconventional themes to revisiting classic genres, the new breed of filmmakers have hit filmdom with a vengeance. And, most importantly, they are telling their stories through new faces. Shoojit Sircar's Rs.5 crore Vicky Donor about sperm donation reaped gold at the ticket window by grossing Rs.13.40 crore in the opening weekend thanks to the story line and performances by debutants - Ayhushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam. It was followed by Habib Faisal's Ishaqzaade. He revisited the passionate love drama genre with first timer Arjun Kapoor and one-film-old Parineeti Chopra to make it engrossing. His risk has yielded more than satisfactory results at the box office. Made at a budget of Rs.14.5 crore, including print and publicity, the film has garnered Rs.23.66 crore in the first few days. If filmmakers are enterprising enough to shun formulas and stars, audiences are showing the same spirit and flexibility by accepting new concepts and fresh faces. "Everybody wants to watch new faces because they have been watching the same old faces for a long time. Not to say that they don't want to see the old stars, but at the same time it's a lot like food. You want to try new recipes and dishes. At least you try and then you pass a judgment on whether you liked it or not," Luv Ranjan, the director of Pyaar Ka Punchnama, said. Faisal, whose experiment in Do Dooni Chaar, a simple tale of a middle-class family that won him the National Award and appreciation from all quarters, says it is the story that decides the fate of fresh faces. "If the story works, then the new actors will work; if the story does not work, then the new actors will also not work. I think it has more to do with the story," Faisal said, adding preparation is equally important. Both Arjun and Parineeti had to go through workshops and all kinds of other training, said Faisal. "They were prepared; otherwise if you come in front of the camera, you could be camera shy or scared of the camera. So, if there is no preparation, you will not be able to perform," he added. Even Pulkit Samrat won praises for his debut performance in Bittoo Boss despite the fact that the film was not a big success at the box office. Other new faces who came into the limelight were Amy Jackson in Ekk Deewana Tha, Paoli Dam in Hate Story and Esha Gupta in Jannat 2. But this is not the end as forthcoming releases will introduce some more newcomers, including star kids and southern actresses. Diana Penty will be seen in Cocktail and porn star Sunny Leone in Jism 2. Other than that Varun Dhawan, director David Dhawan's son, will make his debut with Karan Johar's directorial venture Student Of The Year, which is also a launch pad for Alia Bhatt, daughter of Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan. Romantic comedy Luv U Soniyo will introduce Rati Agnihotri's son Tanuj Virmani who is making his debut opposite model-turned-actress Neha Hinge; Barfi will be southern actress Ileana D'cruz's first Hindi movie; and Shakti Kapoor's son Siddhanth will foray into showbiz with Shootout At Wadala. —IANS
Over to the silver screen
The 38-year-old made a cameo in the sitcom Absolutely Fabulous’ special charity episode. Show creator Jennifer Saunders enjoyed working with her so much, that she now wants her to appear in the forthcoming spin-off film, reported a website. "Kate got on so well with the team, we'd love to work with her again. I'm currently writing the movie, so watch this space," Saunders said. The show creator previously said that Moss was very easy to work with. "Kate behaved so nicely and was such a sweet person. She didn't have any tantrums or any airs or graces. There was no nonsense. We've done stuff with Kate before and she's been wonderful so it was great to work with her again," she added.—PTI
Neil Nitin Mukesh loses his iPhone
"Shoot's going great. But I'm a little upset today! I lost my iPhone," the 30-year-old tweeted. The actor, who is on a 50-day schedule on the island nation, carried all his necessary gadgets and gizmos to keep himself entertained during shooting breaks. But he wouldn't have imagined he would lose his phone there. 3G is a psychological horror where Neil is starred opposite Sonal Chauhan. The two are having a good time shooting the film. —IANS
Designer’s dream
"Victoria would never have been the type of person that I think anyone would have thought of as our customer. Victoria liked the idea very much and was totally into it and so I said, 'Let's treat her like she's a kind of product.' Because she's created herself... And the first image you saw was just her legs coming out of a shopping bag," Jacobs said. Louis Vuitton is a luxury brand with Marc Jacobs as its creative
director.—PTI
Street flavour
"The music is rooted in Indian street music. Everyone enjoys this. We mixed that with ambient music and it's an interesting mix. I had to listen a lot and study it...It was fascinating and I learned a lot about the pulse and the rhythm," said Mickey whose parents are from New Zealand. Set in a shanty town, Shanghai puts the spotlight on corruption and other problems plaguing the Indian political scene. Emraan Hashmi, Kalki Koechlin and Abhay Deol's performances have made it worth a watch. Talking about Banerjee's style, Mikey said: "There were all these pieces and I had to do it without seeing the film. This was something that Dibakar suggested. He gave me an idea of what these pieces felt like. He thought if I would work in this way, the result would be more interesting. And it was successful." Born in India, Mikey studied music after high school and was also part of an orchestra. He made his Bollywood debut with Aftab Shivdasani's Aao Wish Karein and later worked with AR Rahman on Pray For Me Brother track and then assisted Salim-Suleiman on Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Currently Mikey, whose sister is married to Lucky Ali, lives in the entertainment capital of the country. He even worked on Lucky Ali's first album Sunoh. "Everyone, who you work with, teaches you something different. Everyone does things differently. Working with Vishal-Shekhar is different than working with AR Rahman," he said. —IANS
Wherever you go...
The 19-year-old singer wants her trainer to be by her side all the time so that she can exercise whenever she wants to and this habit makes her spent $25,000 each month on her trainer. "I don't mind flying him wherever I am. It's worth every cent. I never thought I could look like this," Miley said. She recently got engaged to actor Liam
Hemsworth. — IANS
Kunal Kemmu - a proud father?
So what if Kunal Kemmu isn't married yet and doesn't have a child. His pet dog made him feel like a proud father when she won maximum games at a dog party. His pet dog is named Masti. "So Masti went to her first doggy party yesterday and won two out of three games we played... Made me a happy and proud father," the 29-year-old tweeted. The actor, who is in a relationship with Soha Ali Khan, was last seen in Vishal Mahadkar's Blood Money opposite Amrita Puri. —IANS
Vidhu’s fresh approach
"The successful directors are already successful, they don't need me. But somewhere when I look back at my life, and I see the kind of people who have come into my life, who I have helped, who I have become friends with, I feel fulfilled," Chopra said during a promotional event of Ferrari Ki Sawaari, which is also helmed by first time director Rajesh Mapuskar. The filmmaker was here with the film's lead actors - Boman Irani and Sharman Joshi and Mapuskar. Ferrari Ki Sawaari releases on June 15. "What makes me extremely happy is when I see the young talent... I don't want to make big successful films with big directors. For me, making films with young directors is far more gratifying than making a film with big directors and stars. It is my personal choice," added Chopra, who has worked with new directors like Pradeep Sarkar and Rajkumar Hirani in Parineeta, Munnabhai MBBS respectively.—IANS
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Vibha bags a Bollywood flick
Vibha Anand, who proved her acting prowess in TV shows like Balika Vadhu (Sugna) and Sanskaar Laxmi (Laxmi) will now be seen on the silver screen. "Vibha has bagged a role in a Bollywood film that also stars Shreyas Talpade. The film is likely to release in September this year," our source informs. Does this mean it's an end to Vibha's television career, she says, "I have not said goodbye to television. I am just taking a break". She also adds, "I am very excited for my Bollywood debut but at the moment I can't disclose any details."
Shubh Vivah goes off air
The show which revolves around a father and his five daughters, who are of a marriageable age, did not live up to the publicity from the day it was started. Shubh Vivah scored badly on the TRP charts and even Eijaz Khan's charisma could not help the show gather good numbers. The makers tried to spice up the plot by killing the main lead, Eijaz Khan aka Amrit in a hasty manner but even this didn't work for the show. When contacted Neha Janpandit, the female lead of the show, she said, "Yes, even we have heard the news but I can't comment at this point of time as we haven't received any official confirmation."
An ex-citing phase...
She says, "I have been working with a music channel for ages and realised I never really took off on a holiday. So, I zipped off to Rome, London and New York. On my trip to New York, I was with a group of friends at the Hamptons, and we were singing Tick Tock, and one of them told me that I should sing for a living. I laughed it off then, but later got a call from my friend Ann saying Joshua Zieman was looking for the next pop star and that she had told him about me. Josh became my manager later. I've been travelling, recording a lot, trying to find my sound, what I The musician adds that she finds Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias hot. "My music is very naughty, cheeky, poppy and upbeat. I can't sing sad songs about heartbreak to save my life. I get inspired by Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Shakira, Britney Spears and Rihanna. I think Enrique is super hot too," she adds. sing along: Anusha Dandekar
Manav Gohil is back
The lady luck is shining for TV actor Manav Gohil who recently became a dad. The actor who has been missing from the small screen for a while now is all set to make a comeback. Our source says, "Manav will be seen
in Sunshine Productions' upcoming show for Channel V. He has been roped in to play a college teacher on the channel's youth oriented programme.
Not so picture perfect!
"Every time we go on a trip, my friends run away from me because I just can't stop clicking their pictures. And you can actually see the expressions of my friends change from excited, to being polite to absolute disgust (laughs). There have even been times when my friends have hidden my camera!" she says.
Pratigya gets an extension?
It hasn't been long when Mann Ki Awaaz... Pratigya on Star Plus was rumoured to go off air. But here's good news for Pooja Gor and Arhaan Behl fans. The show has got a six month extension, our sources informed. But actor Arhaan, who plays Krishna Sajjan Singh, says that he isn't aware of any such extension. "I have always trusted in the content of our show and I hope it continues to rock and do well. I am not aware of any extension rumours." Will the show live to tell the tale after six months? We'll have to wait and watch!
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Astro turf
ARIES: Turn your attention to matters of money and budget. Go over the figures and see where you stand. If there are problems, discuss them with close associates. Tarot message: Do not swing away from the path you have followed so far.
Lucky colour: Yellow Magic number: 49
TAURUS: Enjoy a get-together in your neighborhood. Good luck is on your side and good things will come your way. With life partners and even rivals, you will not face any problems. Tarot message: Be positive and think carefully before taking action.
Lucky colour: Beige. Magic number: 64 GEMINI: Listen to your heart. Are you doing something to please somebody else at the expense of your own needs? If the answer is yes; then it might be time for you to reassess your motives. Today you will find people generally hard to pin down. Tarot message: Lucky colour: Burgundy
Magic number: 30 CANCER: Enduring relationships can be formed with new people who live at a distance. Stick to your regular job as that is the best way of boosting your reserves. Tarot message: Learn from past experience and don't make a similar mistake again.
Lucky colour: Silver Magic number: 52 LEO: Older people and family commitments can take up your time. Don't try to dodge your commitments. Children may need attention, so take them with you. Tarot message: Be articulate to prevent people from drawing their own conclusions.
Lucky colour: Purple Magic number: 60 VIRGO: A recent training or practice program should pay off well today. Enter a competition that offers a fantastic prize, since you might just win.
Tarot message: Dare to accomplish those tasks which normally take up a lot of time.
Lucky colour: Golden Magic number: 42
LIBRA: A joint meeting will be held to review a situation and plan a future strategy. The married will spend an interesting day. Make sure you know what is needed beforehand so that you can work without any delays. Tarot message: Take things one at a time instead of multi-pronged attacks. Lucky colour: Orange Magic number: 55 SCORPIO: The eligible will decide to get married and will obtain the approval and blessings of their family. Do not spoil your chances of success by being rash and untactful. Tarot message: Listen carefully to the words of wisdom even if you do not relish.
Lucky color: Blue Magic number: 65 SAGITTARIUS: A slow moving day. Lovers: You are surely going to enjoy today's meeting. Women will go through a period of depression. Domestic matters proceed well. Tarot message: You will receive a useful tip at the stock exchange, which can be put to profitable use.
Lucky colour: Red Magic number: 28 CAPRICORN: Students: You are unlikely to face financial problems today. Work prospects improve. Do not argue with elders. Do not push the point, let it go and you will find out what it is in the due course. Tarot message: Allow a sick situation to blow over before you start a new project. Lucky colour: Green. Magic number: 58 AQUARIUS: You are unlikely to be in the mood to start new jobs. Health could spoil your plans. The opportunity to exercise and benefit from your natural talents is highlighted. Love is in the air.
Tarot message: Remember never to fall for rash promises. Lucky color: Grey
Magic number: 29 PISCES: Let your imagination go wild and enjoy the creative ideas. You are likely to be oversensitive, but this will help you communicate better. Pleasure comes through measuring your accomplishment. Tarot message: Try a new offbeat style of handling things.
Lucky colour: Pink Magic number: 44
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The year ahead
If your birthday is June 12...
The number 3 is astrologically linked to Gemini and is influenced by Jupiter and Venus. It is ruled by fire and earth. In the year 2012-13, there will be confusion, disorientation, and stress. Be careful while making any agreements or financial dealings. You are also likely to forget appointments and overlook significant details. Any sort of intoxicants should be strictly avoided this birthday onwards. December is an excellent time to make decisions about your financial affairs. This is the period to spend quality time with an old and trusted friend, or enjoy the company of an experienced, mature person. July is the time to check the bills and insurance premiums. Have you overlooked a loan payment? Reply promptly to all official letters and communications. You need to pay closer attention to your coworkers . Your beloved will feel ignored and will want you by his or her side. Be understanding. This year your creativity may need a small push. Visit a museum or monument. Relationships with coworkers are just as important as those with higher-ups. Offer a hand with a project, compliment their skills and mend fences-- it's all for one and one for all now. You should be diplomatic and persuasive when faced with an opportunity which will occur at some stage. Avoid being over sensitive. If you're looking for a new job or waiting for the result of an interview, it’s positive. High possibilities of making money. Sudden changes in career will cause panic and a big business deal will be on the verge of falling apart. You may cancel the idea of buying a property completely for some time. People dealing with litigations should be careful. You will need to replace an automobile. You will make big changes in your financial strategy. Friends are most helpful in 'keeping you on an even keel.' Your love impulses are tempered by what you ‘read’ at the emotional level. The married ones should try to spend more time with their spouse. Mood: Vulnerable and confused. Compatible signs: Taurus, Gemini. Lucky colours: Light pink, navy blue Lucky days: Saturday and Sunday. Lucky numbers:, 2, 6, 10, 19. Lucky flower: Orange rose. Suggestion on birthday: Donate blood if you are accident prone.
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Very humble and forthcoming is Kunal Kapoor, very unlike his on-screen persona. Host and judge of Master Chef India, Kunal is considered one among the top chefs of the country. But, on Monday when he came to inaugurate Vinnie’s, the Artisan Bakers at Chandigarh, he came across as a guy-next-door who would be there to be with the people who matter to him.
Cool breeze, balmy sun, wide landscapes, green environs and good food are the essentials for a good summer holiday. While Switzerland is everyone's dream destination, with airfare zooming up, we check out what other options are available.
"Rise in airfare has definitely given a jolt to our holiday plans. But holiday spots in the country are just as expensive and since it's summertime, there are hardly any places that one can think of going to. And Shimla, Manali, Nainital and Mussorie have been tried and tested several times," says Meenu Sud, homemaker from Sector 28.
Back from a holiday in Singapore, Nitin Karol, a real estate agent and his wife Pooja, a dentist, say, "When we are talking of airfares it's the tickets to the US and Europe that have gone up considerably but countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, Bangkok and Dubai are not that expensive. A holiday in Goa and Bangkok costs you almost the same, unless, of course you travel by train."
The hobby of gardening is quite a costly one, agreed. But the pleasure drawn from the success of doing so is immense. With the onset of rains, the time to propagate plants starts with the exception of a few. How to do it? Follow the tips for best results.
The position of the body at impact is one of the factors determining the angle of approach of the club. If the body moves forward or ahead of the ball at impact, the ball will fly out low and the divot formed would be deep. If the body falls back we would get a high ball flight with thin or no divots. Topped or skulled shots occur when the body falls back excessively. Players end up doing this when they try and scoop the ball up in the air.
The hot summer heat makes us thirsty all the time. We thumb our noses at chaai, coffee and halwas and are reeled in by cool lemonades, lassi and icy concoctions. In such warm days, a sorbet is an even happier choice than an ice cream.
That is a question which most of us are asking today. There is one hidden desire in each one of us and that is; to don a fairer complexion than what we are actually gifted with. Michael Jackson, one of the biggest celebrities of our times brought the science of skin lightening into limelight after he got his whole skin bleached. The commonly used lightening agents are topical steroids, hydroquinone, kojic acid, arbutin, glabridin, tretinoin etc. But the biggest concern in today's scenario remains "How and what to choose? How effective and how safe these products are?"
Lady Gaga, who takes her romance with her boyfriend Taylor Kinney very seriously, has revealed that there will always be three of them in their relationship - him, her and music. The couple reportedly took a short break because of work pressures which include her 110-date Born This Way Ball tour, combined with writing and recording sessions for her new album.
Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey married his girlfriend Camila Alves in a private ceremony in Texas. The couple, who have two children Levi, 3 month, and daughter Vida, 2, tied the knot in a ceremony attended by close friends and family on June 9, reported a magazine.
Working with newcomers is no longer risky! The box office success of two recent releases Vicky Donor and Ishaqzaade is a pointer to this. Filmmakers say audiences crave for freshness on screen and new talent helps bring growth to the movie business.
He made his debut with Pyaar Ka Punchnama last year and Ranjan roped in not one or two, but half a dozen youngsters to play the main leads. Much to the surprise of everyone, the film was liked by viewers and some of the scenes became popular on Facebook and Youtube.
Supermodel Kate Moss is reportedly set to make her movie debut with Absolutely Fabulous spin-off film.
Gadget freak Neil Nitin Mukesh lost his iPhone while shooting for his upcoming film 3G in Fiji.
Fashion designer Marc Jacobs says he loved working with Victoria Beckham because no one expected the collaboration ever. Jacobs, 49, who cast the former Spice Girl in a campaign for his eponymous brand Louis Vuitton in 2008, has caused a controversy with his advertisement which saw just her legs coming out of a shopping bag, reported a publication.
Director Dibakar Banerjee's political thriller Shanghai, which has opened to a warm response from the audiences, boasts of energetic songs and a slick background score. Composer Mikey McCleary says he relied a lot on Indian street music to get the right effect.
Singer Miley Cyrus spends $200 per hour on her trainer to ensure he travels with her everywhere.
Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra says he likes collaborating with upcoming directors as working with new talent is far more gratifying than making a film with established names.
Most television actors aspire for Bollywood but only a few get a chance.
UTV productions' Shubh Vivah on Sony TV is going off-air. The daily soap which was rumoured to go off air for a while now, will say its final goodbyes on June 29.
After months of recording tracks in the US with some of the finest producers, VJ-actor-turned- musician Anusha Dandekar released her first ever international debut Single Better Than Your Ex.
Popularly known as Toasty, Aishwarya Sakhuja loves to take pictures of people. However, her muses are often not pleased with her approach as they get tired of posing while she strives to get that 'perfect' shot.
Sharada (June12, 1945) is a three-time national award winning South Indian actress. She originally hails from Andhra Pradesh. She has achieved success in Malayalam movies. Initially she did many supporting roles in Telugu films and later on moved to Malayalam film industry and gained success there. She is also known as Urvashi Sharada because earlier the National Film Award for Best Actress was officially designated the Urvashi Award.