An affair to remember
The wedding season is round the corner and here’s a sneak peek into the latest trends...
Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra

Ever wondered why Indian weddings are associated with terms like big and fat? Well, that's because our weddings are an elaborate affair with dedicated ceremonies to celebrate every moment. As the wedding season approaches, we look into some trends.

Wear it

Marriages may be made in heaven, but the heavenly affair has to be celebrated right here on earth and in style! And knowing the importance of wedding wear, designers leave no fabric unturned to create a sensational piece for the marriage season. Sophisticated, traditional and feminine are the trends for this marriage season. "Blending of Indian fabrics and contemporary silhouettes is what the modern-day bride wants. And most of the designers are playing on this," says Divya Kapoor from Samsaara. Gotta patti, heavy zari and zardosi work is another trend that you are going to witness along with cheerful colours. "The theme for the fall 2012-13 wedding season is the amalgamation of classic evergreen old Indian designs in a modern look. For this we have fabrics like net, sheer and chanderi in vogue. As for the styles, Anarkali suits in lehenga style, net, chiffon and crepe saris; achkan, sharara and velvet jackets are some of the trends to look out for," says Meenu Khanna from Studio M-9 in Delhi.

Just jewels

How can we not mention ornaments? Never mind the sky-rocketing gold prices when we are talking of a grand Indian wedding; no compromises are made here! More the merrier is the tag-line when it comes to jewels for the marriage season. Jewellery designer Divya Bhasin from Delhi says, "Every girl wants to look like a princess on her wedding day, so there is no end to jewels on this day. This season is all about tradition so it's the traditional maharani type of jewellery that is in vogue. From baju bandh to kamarbandh, we have the Mughal side tikkas and jhumars in fashion. Yellow gold is back in vogue, so we are going to see a lot of kundan and polki work also."

As if clothes were not enough, we have designer Anita Dongre entering the jewellery market. She gave a sneak peek into her soon-to-be-launched jewellery line —Anita Dongre Pink City — at the recently concluded Lakme Fashion Week.

Make it up

Beauty is skin-deep, but come the marriage season and we have varied salons launching their beauty treatments and bridal packages. And this season is all about clean and gossamer skin with minimal make-up. "Classic is in, so minimal make-up is what the make-up artistes are looking at," says Munish Bajaj from Tress Lounge. Suggesting plaits and trendy hairstyles for the brides, hair-stylist Azeem Khan from Stylo in Sector 19 says, "Brides are more adventurous and like to go for trendy hairstyles. It's no more about buns alone; brides are even going for plaits and fringes on the forehead. And cocktail and mehandi functions are more theme-based, so we have brides asking a hairstyle according to a theme and that simply means no coy hairdos and styles."

Welcome note

A grand affair, wedding in a family means an endless invitation list. And for that we have invitation cards that are no more simple leaflets but a Pandora's Box! "From cards that open like a trousseau box to those placed in platters, photo-frames, velvet-boxes and potlis, the latest trend is of embellished wooden and cloth cards," says Sanjay Sharma from Nimantran in Sector 17.

Foot work

Footwear is an essential part of the wedding gear and from luxurious designs to some desi ones, golden is the favoured colour in bridal footwear. Girls are even going in for hand-painted footwear to flats while juttis are being preferred by the taller lot. Though nothing beats the stilettos, but considering the comfort factor wedges and pumps are a good option to look, and colour is definitely no bar.

Let the fun begin
Sabia Talwar

A poster with a bright yellow background, three guys on their respective two-wheelers vrooming away and the tag-line reading 'Fun Unlimited'… that's what Aiven Raula Pai Gaya, a Punjabi movie, which is set for an August 31 release, is all about. The cast of the movie was in Chandigarh on Monday and we catch up.

Balancing act

Punjabi singer Ravinder Grewal, who is turning an actor with this movie, sported a funky blue t-shirt and a matching turban. Says Ravinder, "I have been into singing since fifteen years and this is my debut as an actor. Aiven Raula Pai Gaya is a complete entertainer and also has some realistic issues, which need to be highlighted in the present times."

Young vision

Atharv Baluja, a twenty four-year-old director from Delhi and a pass-out of Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, says his artistic intuition and technical bent of mind prompted him to make documentaries. Later, he directed Punjabi videos and this is now his first feature film. "I have a passion for softwares and camera techniques. Also, I'm into playing guitar, piano and love photography." And how did the young captain manage the crew? "It was definitely a challenge, but I feel I have successfully achieved all the effects I wanted to through the movie. At the same time, I was firm and professional because the word compromise doesn't exist in my dictionary."

Smile please

A dimpled smile, a pretty face and a confident speaker is what Surbhi Jyoti, the lead actress in the movie, comes across as. This is my first movie and I just loved the experience of being a heroine," says Surbhi. A theatre artist since eight years and having acted in the serial Bhagonwali, Surbhi explains how much her background in theatre and education helped her face the camera.

Laugh out loud

He was recently seen in hits like Jatt and Juliet and Carry on Jatta, and he made the audience fall out of their seats! BN Sharma, a veteran Punjabi actor, is happy to be a part of this project as it is technically very sound. "Punjabi cinema is not only growing, but is going smoothly," he says. He has a unique character in every movie and this time he's playing Sweety. "I'm always lucky to land up with dialogues that are remembered by the audiences."

Lots to tell

Sardar Sohi, who started his journey in the world of theatre twelve years back, shares his experience with us, "Although theatre neither gives you money nor fame, it teaches you a lot." Sardar Sohi was also looking forward to appreciation by the audience. "I made my debut with the Punjabi movie Laung Da Lashkara. I also went to Mumbai and acted in a serial Mirza Ghalib. Kaafila, another Bollywood movie along with Sunny Deol, is a part of my memory bank."

sabiatalwar@tribunemail.com

Smart snacking
Snacking does not necessarily mean deep-fried samosas or calorie-laden pakoras. There are healthy alternatives; so with little caution you can have your snack and eat it too
Mona

Organic vegetables to whole-wheat flour to skimmed milk, we have turned our kitchens into health zones. But when it comes to snacking, the general tendency is to let go! Fried, gravy, cheesy—are some of the sins one commits while snacking. We get you a quick guide to healthy snacking…

Choice factor

When it comes to snacking options, it’s raining god’s plenty around. So while choosing, check out for two things—nutrients and method of cooking. “Go for steamed and roasted than fried,” offers Dr Swapana Singla, cosmetologist and obesity consultant.

What you eat and when you eat need to be kept in mind. “Age is an important factor. While deep-friend snacks are fine for growing kids, it’s not good for adults,” warns Madhu Sharma, dietician with PGI.

Healthy hints

There are crunchy, yummy options only if you explore. What you pick has lots to do where you are. “Fruit and skimmed milk products are the best options. At party, dig out for soups,” advises city-based dietician Kanika Goyal.

Eating out, of course, cannot be stopped but definitely limited. Go for a restaurant that offers extensive salads and tandoori items. “Be wary of cooking methods and oils. Avoid gravies,” adds Kanika.

Be creative

Be open to experimental with mini meals. Healthy doesn’t necessarily mean boring. Replace deep-fried samosa, pakoras with steamed idlis or upmas. Opt for popcorns over chips. They are high on fibre and filling. “Make it home with less oil and salt,” says Swapana. Roasted grams and grains that are readily available in market can be stacked too.

Quick fixes

Roasted chiwra or poha with a bit of salt, mirchi and chat masala. Add just a spoonful of grounded groundnut or almond. Let it cool, it makes for a healthy, crunchy munch.

Whisk yogurt. Add chopped cucumber, tomato, broccoli, cabbage, carrot or other fresh vegetables of your choice. Enjoy with roasted papar or baked chips.

Take mixed sprouts (green grams and black grams), add salt, oregano and lemon juice. Mix well. You can also put fresh chopped veggies if you like.

Make brown bread sandwiches. Toast the bread, add veggies of your choice. Or, use cooked leftover vegetable patties. They make for excellent tea tine snack.

Wholegrain pasta cooked in less oil with lots of vegetables is quick and scrumptious.

Nothing beats a bowl of fresh seasonal fruit…game for it?

mona@tribunemail.com

High Spirits
Cocktail of Wasseypur
Vineet Mishra

A cocktail with a mixture of herbs and spices, tastes delicious

Ingredients

45 ml Absolut Vodka

20 ml sugar syrup

5 ml homemade ginger syrup

1/4 tsp chaat masala

10 ml lime juice

soda

Instructions  

Shake ingredients over ice and strain into a chilled highball glass. Top with soda water and garnish with candied ginger or mint.

Cocktail facts: Calling an illegal bar a ‘speakeasy’ came from a lady barkeep who would warn her customers to “speak easy, boy, speak easy” whenever they became loud enough to attract police.

(Mishra is a cocktail jockey)

HEART talk
Be at your convincing best
Parvesh Rana

I am a 27-year-old married woman; I stay with my in-laws because my husband is working abroad. I want to join him but my in-laws think it will be an additional pressure on him. How do I convince them?

Manreet, Mohali

Talk to your husband and in-laws and tell them that you will not be an additional burden but a support to your husband. Ask them about their apprehensions and what their fears are. But foremost, talk at length to your husband. He should talk to his parents as well.

I am a school-going girl, but I want to quit studies and work in films. I think I am cut out to be an actress. I have the looks and I am also taking acting classes. Am I doing the right thing?

Sneha, Chandigarh

Certainly not! Whosoever advised you on this, was wrong. First and foremost complete your studies and then think about working in films. It is not a cakewalk to be an actress in Bollywood. All those stars have gone through long phases of struggle. Besides those who have made it big have had their basic education to begin with. It is completely irrational to think like this.

(Rana is a television anchor)

it’s rocking
Rustic and Sensuous  

Shrish Kunder’s directorial venture Joker with Akhshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead roles is creating a buzz. The hot and happening Chitrangada Singh has performed a sensuous item number Kafirana for the movie.

It has vocals by Sunidhi Chauhan and Adarsh Shinde. The director himself has penned down the lyrics for it. The original chorus was changed, apparently, for being too controversial.

Fun words

It is such a notorious item number from the guest composer Gaurav Dagaonkar. I downloaded it from Internet when it leaked. The song has slightly different lyrics and I just love the chorus “I want just you”. The lyrics are so much fun even if they don’t have a meaning.

Akshay Handa, student, PU

Chitrangada rocks

It is heavily rhythmic and strongly influenced by Marathi. Sunidhi Chauhan has done a great job. I’m a huge fan of Chitrangada Singh and I just love her sultry avatar and along with good looks she dances amazingly well.

Sheena Malhotra, housewife

Dance track

It is such a track that every girl can relate to it because it has naughty and fun-filled lyrics. It is purely a dance track and Sunidhi Chauhan’s voice is just apt for it.

Tanya Vermani, student, MCM College

(As told to Sabia Talwar)

Doc Talk
Spot the problem
Dr Vikas Sharma

No one likes the sudden appearance of brown spots on face but it’s a condition which is rapidly on the rise not only among the middle-aged but among youngsters and teens too. Brown spots or facial hyper-pigmentation can be in form of freckles or more severe melasma. Melasma has a genetic link that tends to appear as dark brown pigmented areas affecting cheeks, in some cases forehead and upper lips as well.

Initially it was found common among married women, specially during and after pregnancy. So it was even labelled as pregnancy mask. But now the trend has changed and the disease is also seen in men and unmarried women.

Treatment of melasma is difficult and challenging with no certainty of any one agent to produce 100 per cent results. So in melasma lifestyle modifications are a must to fight against this cosmetic skin disorder as medicines have their limitations. Medicines can lighten the pigmentation but cannot prevent it from recurrence.

Lifestyle modifications

Exposure to UV light: It has been proved that sunlight exposure aggravates melasma. So it’s a must to wear a non-greasy, non-comedogenic  sunscreen when going out. As it’s impossible to avoid sunlight and it’s the only source of natural Vitamin D, so one should know duration of the exposure.

Stress: Stress, like the sun, cannot be avoided. Learn to manage stress. Though it is easier said than done, but not impossible. Scientific research has proved that stress hormones increase the release of Melanocyte stimulating hormone which tends to darken the already existing hyper-pigmentation on face. So the entire melanogenesis process gets faster and more and more of melanin tend to get accumulated on the affected areas. Meditation, yoga, sports, exercise play an important role in stress management.

Diet: A good balanced nutritious diet is a key to treating this disorder. Having a lot of natural anti-oxidants in diet helps to scavenge the free oxygen radicals which play an important role in causing and aggravating melasma. A lot of Vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables should be added in daily menu. Coconut and Amla have proved to be beneficial. Milk with turmeric at night is also helpful.

Exposure to electromagnetic radiations: A few latest studies have found that the disease gets worsened by excessive exposure to electromagnetic radiations from computers, mobile phones, high voltage lights etc.

Drugs: Avoid exposure to photo-sensitising drugs like fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Women should avoid oral contraceptive pills as they can worsen the pigmentation. Anti-depressants can also be harmful in few.

Cosmetics: Avoid over usage of cosmetics as cosmetics with even with slightest of fragrances can worsen the disease.

Available medical treatments

Kojic acid, Arbutin, Licorice, mulberry extract,

Azealic Acid, Hydroquinone, Chemical peels

Microdermabrasion and Q-sw-lasers only in few selective cases.

It’s a must that these agents should be only used under the supervision of a dermatologist as otherwise these can have adverse effects. New treatments like newer tyrosinase inhibitors are in clinical trials and will soon be launched.

(Dr Sharma is a Chandigarh-based dermatologist & dermato-laser surgeon)

Par Excellence
The importance of a correct grip
 Jesse Grewal 

The most important part of golf as a beginner or even an experienced golfer is to get the grip correct.

The only part of the player touching the club are the hands and therefore the placement of the hands are of utmost importance. Most of the swing faults a player develops are either a reaction to an incorrect grip or due to bio-mechanical deficiencies of the player.

The grip should have the correct positioning of the hands as well as the correct pressure. If we grip the club too loose we will tend to hook the ball and can also lose control of the club during the swing. The club will tend to have a vibrating sound at impact. The club can tend to lag too much or get ‘left behind’.

When the grip is held too tight we tend to slice the shot. High grip pressure reduces the wrist action and can lead to a loss of distance. The ‘release’ or shutting action of the club is also reduced and this can lead to blocked shots as well as sliced shots. We will tend to ‘cast’ the club head on the downswing.

When the grip is ‘strong’ which is the placement of either hand has the ‘V’ pointing to or right of the right shoulder (for right handed golfers) the ball will tend to hook. The players’ reaction to the hook is to

drop the club on an inside path so that they can start the ball more to the right and allow it to hook back to the target. This slowly leads to a very shallow swing and a weak thin contact with the ball.

When the grip is ‘weak’ where the ‘V’ points to or left of the chin the ball will tend to slice. The players’ reaction in this case would be to come over the top or from out to in on the downswing to try and start the ball left of the target. The downswing would get too steep leading to deep divots and a loss ofdistance.

So before you begin to change your swing make sure you have got the grip correct. The swing fault could just be a reaction to an incorrect grip.

(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 the Director of 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)

Star track
Heroine will be Kareena's best film: Karisma
Successful Kapoor sisters looking for the right script to shine on the silver screen 

Karisma Kapoor is extremely proud of her sister Kareena Kapoor, whose career is shaping up pretty well and feels that Heroine will be a milestone in her acting journey.

The film's promos, including the item song Halkat Jawani, has been released and Karisma says: "It is a wonderful song and the promo of the film is also looking very good. I am looking forward to seeing the movie."

"I feel that Heroine will be Kareena's best performance. In fact, it will be the best," she added.

Coming out September 21, director Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine revolves around ups and downs in an actress' career. Kareena plays the title role and the cast also features Arjun Rampal and Randeep Hooda.

Asked when both sisters will be seen together on screen, Karishna said, "We both have not yet come across any such script. If we get a nice script where both of us have a good role to play, then we will work together. Let's see who comes up with a nice script."— IANS

Old wine, new bottle
Ameesha, Sunny in new avatar for Bhaiyyaji Superhitt

Actress Ameesha Patel is enjoying working with her Gadar — Ek Prem Katha co-star Sunny Deol after over a decade for Bhaiyyaji Superhitt. She says the audience will get to see a new side of them in the new movie.

"After (over) 10 years Sunny (Deol) and I comeback post Gadar for Bhaiyyaji Superhitt and the film is turning out to be a phenomenon. It's got Sunny and me in a completely new avatar," Ameesha said.

"It's not like Gadar part 2. It's a comedy, it's a masala film and it's got Sunny in a double role... So that's really exciting," added the 37-year-old.

Ameesha is herself set to play a double role in her home production Desi Magic. She will begin working on it towards October end or November, while she has other projects to concentrate on too.

"Right now I have got two more films lined up which we will be announced very soon," she added.

Ameesha made her Bollywood debut with Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai in 2000. — IANS

Brangelina visit France

Angelina Jolie, fiance Brad Pitt and four of their children visited the coastal town of Le Touquet, France on Saturday for some family fun, much to the surprise of locals. Jolie, who visited the place last September, flew her family from London to the French town via helicopter and played tour guide leading her brood to some of her favourite spots. — ANI

Bejewelled queen 

Dia Mirza loves classic Indian trinkets. Actress Dia Mirza reveals she has an inclination towards traditional Indian jewellery and happily sports it wherever and whichever way she can.

"If you notice the kind of jewellery I wear, it could be diamonds, uncut diamonds, it could be gold, platinum whatever. I am more attracted towards classic style. I really enjoy traditional jewellery," the 30-year-old said in an interview.

"So the older the piece is, the more traditional it looks, the more excited it makes me," she added.

Asked who in Bollywood can carry Indian jewellery in the best way, the name that immediately crops up in Dia's mind is yesteryear-diva Rekha.

"I think when you talk about jewellery and grace, you instantly think of Rekhaji," said Dia, who was recently honoured as Jewellery Style Icon of the year at Retail Jeweller India Awards 2012.

"For years, my seniors and contemporaries have always looked up at her as the quintessential icon for jewellery and style and she is the real diva," she added. — IANS

Retail therapy

Post her divorce with actor Tom Cruise, actress Katie Holmes is on a shopping spree. She spent a whooping $15,000 only on lingerie.

"Katie treated herself to a lavish post-split pick me up shopping spree. She splurged on nearly $15,000 worth of sexy lingerie and undergarments alone," said a source.

"She also bought 15 pairs of pricey Christian Louboutin shoes and went on a tear at Barneys New York department store, buying a closet's worth of clingy cocktail dresses and power suits to wear to auditions and meetings," the source added.

The 33-year-old is also trying to get back with work and doing everything it takes to revamp her career and establish her as a confident working single mother.

"She wants to show the world, who she really is - a beautiful, confident and talented woman balancing single motherhood and a thriving career," a source said.

Cruise, Holmes have a 6-year-old daughter Suri, whose primary custody remains with her mother. He is supposed to pay an annual amount of $400,000 to Holmes for child support.

Holmes filed for divorce from Cruise in June, and their divorce was finalised in August. — IANS

Levitt injured, gets 31 stitches

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt was injured on the sets of a movie when the stunt he was performing went wrong and had to receive 31 stitches.

The 31-year-old was flung through the rear window of a cab when his cycling stunt went wrong. The actor was filming amid real traffic for Premium Rush.

His arm got injured, resulting in 31 stitches. "The crash could have been a lot worse," said Levitt.

He attributes his reflex actions and boxing training that saved him from further damage.

Directed by David Koepp, Levitt will be seen in the role of a New York bike messenger.

Earlier he featured in films like Inception and The Dark Knight Rises. — IANS

Royal admirer

Actress Mischa Barton says she likes Duchess of Cambridge Catherine's sense of style.

The 26-year-old OC star, who has her own range of handbags, does not wish to change anything in Catherine, also known as Kate Middleton before her marriage to Prince William.

"I think she is perfect. I like her style. She always looks put together, cute and pretty. I definitely would not change her," Barton said.

Barton also said she enjoyed watching the Duchess cheering teams in the Olympics and that she is a great role model.

"I think she is a much more positive role model than most we see in ads and magazines. During the Olympics, it is given people so many more positive role models and she has been one of the existing ones we look up to who is positive and healthy and cool," she added. — PTI

Garner wants more action

Actress Jennifer Garner says she wants to make a return to action movies after visiting her husband Ben Affleck on the set of his new crime drama Runner, Runner. The 40-year-old, who gave birth to her third child, son Samuel, in February, said that she adores her job as a parent but she has started to crave more fast-paced projects and is eager to get her adrenaline pumping again.

Garner made her name in the crime-fighting TV series Alias and went on to star in superhero film Daredevil and its spin-off Elektra. But since becoming a mother in 2005, Garner has opted for more dramas and romantic comedies like Juno and Valentine's Day. "I don't mind being a soccer mum. I am most certainly a go-and-sit-on-the-sideline mum. I love it. But I do miss the action. I would love to do some action again and shock myself a little," Garner said.

"I just visited my husband's set in Puerto Rico, and most of the crew knew me when I was doing action, and they were saying, 'Hey Jen, remember that fight scene?' It felt as if I was a different person than the one they were talking about. I do miss that part of my life a little," she added. — PTI

War of words

Singer Rihanna has blasted comedian Joan Rivers after he made rough comments on her recent emotional breakdown on Oprah Winfrey's show.

Rihanna, 24, broke down when she accepted that she still loves her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown who was accused of assaulting her.

Rivers expressed her disagreement over the issue on Twitter.

"Rihanna confessed to Oprah Winfrey that she still loves Chris Brown. Idiot! Now it's my turn to slap her," she tweeted.

This irked Rihanna. She replied on Twitter saying, "Joan Rivers wow - u really do get slow when you're old huh? Slap on some diapers." — IANS

Chatter box

Hang-out zone 
Everyone has a favourite hangout spot in their city and our television stars are no different. We catch up with them and ask them to reveal their favourite fun spot in and around Mumbai.

Kishwer Merchant

I love going out for dinners and movies with friends. We mostly go to Carter Road or Mount Mary’s church. My friend has recently opened a new place called Wild Wild West, so we have started frequenting that place now. My big group of friends is a mix of actors, models, singers and corporate employees. My favourite activity during the monsoon is a trip to Lonavala with friends and my boyfriend Suyash.

Srishty Rode

I enjoy going for movies and dinners with my group of friends. I like to hang out at Sammy Sosa in Oshiwara and Olive in Bandra. The continental cuisine that Samy Sosa offers is yummy and I love the music at Olive. However, during monsoon, going for long drives is what I enjoy the most. 

 

Kushal Punjabi

I go to Ye Ol Watering Hole at Oshiwara with friends, but mainly I go with friends for treks or adventure expeditions. My favourite activity is football and rappelling during the monsoons. I love swimming in the rains too. Basically, I hang out with friends.

Additi Gupta

I love visiting WTF in Khar and Crepe Station on Carter Road with my gang of friends that includes Karan Kundra, Kritika Kamra, Mukti Mohan, Nishant and others. During the monsoon, I just chill out at home and enjoy the rain from my window.

Rucha Harbans

There are many places that I frequent with friends, but my favourite are Marine Drive and Nariman Point. Marine Drive looks beautiful at night. I also love visiting Juhu beach at night with my friends. During the monsoon, we get together and plan a picnic at some place close to Mumbai, like Lonavala.  We enjoy getting wet in the rains and having a gala time together.

 

Adda Khan

I frequently visit Café Coffee Day on Carter Road with my group of friends, some of whom are from the television industry. We have been going there since college days, so we have lot of fond memories of the place. Out of the Blue in Bandra is my favourite restaurant as the food is great. However, during monsoon, I like to be at home and enjoy watching the rain while having tea and pakoda.

The year ahead
Madan Gupta Spatu

If your birthday is August 28...

Avoid confusion and frustration to maintain mental clarity. Involving yourself in a group activity will be highly entertaining, but expensive. Use your judgment before you sign up for any costly venture. You need to take extra care of your luggage if you are travelling. You may have a difficult time voicing your disappointments and failures, especially if you feel the knives are out, but you will have to confront them within yourself. Engaging in self-pity, guilt and playing the martyr are not only unacceptable ways to manipulate others, but they will have unhappy consequences.

Born on August 28 with the number 1, you want to lead and direct, work independent of supervision; by yourself or with subordinates. You take pride in your abilities and want to be recognised for them. There is a great deal of honesty and loyalty, but the negative side of number 1 must be avoided. A negative 1 is likely to dominate situations and people; the home, the spouse, the family and the business. The greater need is to develop a sincere interest in people.

If a situation is growing increasingly tense, it's time to think of measures to defuse it. Take a step back and take your ego entirely out of it. The stars support you and aspirations can be accomplished. As an employee, you'll be able to resolve a disagreement with a superior who has recently caused you ill-will and tried to spoil your Confidential Report. You may have to put your best efforts. There might be a tough competition. If, you are preparing for any interview or entrance exams, success would not be easy. Financial responsibilities and investments need close attention now. Strict business decisions should be taken. A loving, compassionate and soulful companion is the best kind of person to share things with; you can get so much joy from the time you spend with them right now.

Mood: Vulnerable at times. 
Compatible signs: Gemini, Leo.

Lucky colours: German-blue, Sea-green.

Lucky days: Friday and Sunday.

Lucky numbers: 1, 5, 7, 9, 15. Lucky flower: Daffodil. Lucky gemstone – Aquamarine

Deepak Tijori (August, 28, 1961, Mumbai) has made over 50 appearances as an actor and then his directorial debut with Fareb, which starred Shilpa Shetty and Shamita Shetty. He started his career with Krodh as a supporting actor; then alongside Bollywood icon Shahrukh Khan in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Anjaam and Baadshah. Deepak will have to struggle for survival in the industry due to his Mars period till 2014. 

Astro turf
P Khurrana

ARIES: Travel is on the cards. A promotion or salary increase is likely. Strong feelings can distort your sense of perspective. Rather than doing nothing about it, call a family meeting and let everyone have their say without interruption. Tarot message: Don’t reveal your plan of action to anyone. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 63

TAURUS: Make more efforts to attain and maintain harmony. Communication at job is important, but you do need to be careful of getting caught up in red tape. An opportunity to work in advertising might come your way. Tarot message: Don’t do anything at the cost of health. Lucky colour: Aqua. Magic number: 59

GEMINI: New people whom you meet will be rather exciting. Remember resolutions about diet and nutrition. Take it easy this morning and bask in the luxury of a late start.

Tarot message: Make compromises outside and come to terms within yourself. Lucky colour: Purple. Magic number: 36

CANCER: Love life is sparklingly beautiful. Enjoy the pleasurable vibes and plan a relaxing day. A friend might try to talk you into doing something you would rather not do. Say no and be done with it. Tarot message: Do not expect too much from others. 
Lucky colour: White. 
Magic number: 50

LEO: A piece of good news arriving by mail or phone will cheer you up. Household affairs continue smoothly. Businessmen: do not invest your money in hastily concluded deals. Tarot message: Lack of confidence or caution can leave you in losses; so be confident. Lucky colour: Forest-green. Magic number: 35

VIRGO: Not a good day for shopping. There can be a small get-together at home. Promotion to a management position might trigger self-doubt. Anxiety could interfere with your sense of well-being. Visit a scenic spot for relaxing. Tarot message: Don't make hasty decisions. Lucky colour: Crimson. Magic number: 33

LIBRA: Sportsmen: sincerity is the key to success. Club and group activities occupy you. Speculate only if you are ready to lose money. Make sure you join a reputed organisation and then reap the rewards. Tarot message: Don’t waste an opportunity by being rash or impulsive. Lucky colour: Saffron. Magic number: 25

SCORPIO: Working women: take complete rest today. Students: bury your nose in books. Be logical in your thoughts. Housewives: financially you are feeling secure. Stop worrying about what other people think of you. Tarot message: Learn from past experience. 
Lucky colour: Peach. 
Magic number: 25

SAGITTARIUS: Push routine to one side. Drive carefully. Partnership issues are likely to surface. Face the facts and talk to your partner with love and honesty; changes can occur. Tarot message: Be determined and increase your self-confidence, which will be on trial. Lucky colour: Mauve. 
Magic number: 31

CAPRICORN: An auspicious day for purchasing ornaments. Hasty actions can lead to tricky situations. Keep your wits about you and try to pause if agitated. This will help your mind stay on track. Tarot message: Be articulate to prevent people from coming to their own conclusions. Lucky colour: Yellow. Magic number: 42

AQUARIUS: There will be good opportunities to show-off your artistic flair. Loved ones will do what they can to help solve family financial problems. People will try and influence you, so stay focused. Tarot message: Dare to accomplish tasks that normally take up a lot of time. Lucky colour: Red. 
Magic number: 52.

PISCES: The card “Six of Wands” indicates fun, frolic and accelerated social activities. Your effort will not go unnoticed by superiors. Talk with your lover about your future plans and goals. Tarot message: Do not swing away from the course you have charted so far. Lucky colour: Orange. 
Magic number: 40





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