|
|
|
|
|
A leaf from life
When it's a Manmohan Singh film, the questions extend beyond the stars, the rest of the cast, the movie or even the making! His brand name inevitably clouds the banner and the conversation becomes a discussion on the future of Punjabi cinema.
This time, to predict further, we need to look back. "About ten years ago I was asked about the future of Punjabi cinema at the promotion of one of my movies. I can proudly answer that its future is forever and it has become an industry now," he recalls, while in Chandigarh for a heavily attended press conference of his upcoming movie Ajj De Ranjhe. The cast comprising Gurpreet Ghuggi, Rana Ranbir, Gurleen Chopra and Darshan Aulakh is in tow and each introduction is more of a thanksgiving to each other!
Moving ahead
When the funny man Gurpreet Ghuggi takes over, the giggles are not far behind. "I remember getting a call from Hyderabad when someone could not get the tickets for Carry on Jatta. That speaks volumes about how far the industry has come." He adds, "I clearly remember when spending just as little as fifteen-twenty lakhs on a Punjabi movie was considered a dead investment." Regional cinema as well as his career have come a long way. "Now it's routine to hear movies like Jatt and Juliet or Carry on Jatta do a business of as much as Rs 20-25 crore." While his performance has always been better than before, this one, he feels, "is the best till date. How well you perform totally depends on the director and Manmohan Singh has been able to extract my best this time." Apart from his power-packed punches, the film has him experiment with a romantic role.
Adding humour
The film simultaneously releases in Canada, New Zealand, UK, US and Australia. Apart from European countries it also releases in Pakistan. Says Manmohan Singh, "This is the first movie to have received the permission for a simultaneous release in Pakistan; if it becomes a success Punjabi cinema will never look back." This one explores a subject that easily lends itself to humour - police-public relationship. Says Manmohan Singh, "The film depicts the other side of cops, who are meant for our own security and well-being. Instead of trusting them with our safety, a common man will go out of his way to avoid a police station or even a cop." Gurleen Chopra (last heard of in Hashar) plays the leading lady. "I play a television anchor and after watching the movie, you'll feel I'm just one of your colleagues."
Guiding light
When you make a movie, there has to be a message involved. With this philosophy guiding him, Manmohan Singh turned the clichés into niches and has already charted a long journey. "I remember when the idea for Ek Kudi Panjab Di was conceived; I came across this predicament that many parents who only have a girl child face. The inspiration has to come from a real issue." He adds, "I've made as many as nine to ten movies in my career. And with each one I've tried to tackle an issue. The real issues that our own people face," shares the MSc Botany pass-out from Panjab University. A little known fact; till someone blurts out from the audience — "He sings well too." He smiles! manpriya@tribunemail.com
|
|
Housing a legacy
They couldn't believe it for a minute, but the crowd enjoyed every bit of their performance . They hadn't expected this. The seven members of the band House of Floyd are more than happy with the response they got from their first-ever performance in India at the Chandigarh Golf Club. House of Floyd is San Francisco's immersive Pink Floyd tribute band, carrying the 'live' paraphernalia of the original band — engulfing sound effects, lasers, fog, surround sounds and videos that make Pink Floyd's sets popular. Formed by Mark Showalter almost seven years back, this is now a seven-member band of people who are passionate fans of Pink Floyd.
"I was looking for my next project after my tour. This is when I noticed that no one was singing Pink Floyd; this is when I thought of coming up with the band," says Mark, the keyboard and saxophonist of the group. "We auditioned for few more people and then my wife Sheri also joined in." Other than powerful visual imagery, members of the band believe in researching on the original band before they get on the stage. "All the time; we investigate a lot since the band sang for decades. We came across their live recorded versions and we also try to sing lot of their studio versions. Wish You Were Here, Dark Side of The Moon; we sing all their popular numbers." Mark and his group travels with the entire lighting paraphernalia, which they say is the important part of their performance. "Back home our friends and families help us with the lighting, videos, fog and all that live adventurous arrangements. "This is where we differ from the other bands; not only singing Pink Floyd, we also use the live elements that made the band popular." The House of Floyd have a lot of live shows lined up for India and they are really looking forward to it! jasmine@tribunemail.com
Rock the house
nHouse of Floyd is California's premier band. They are focused on re-creating the live Pink Floyd concert experience, from note-perfect renderings of the band's hits and classic album cuts to lasers, computer graphics, animation, video and even the inflatable pig. They've played more than a hundred shows since they came together in 2005. nRather than simply replicating the iconic band’s recorded songs, House of Floyd focuses on the adventurous live arrangements and sonic explorations of their namesake. nBuilt around the jam-based interpretations and engulfing sound effects as well as visuals that made Pink Floyd’s live sets so popular, HOF lays down the grooves to deliver serious musical magic: stellar musicians, the legendary films and tape effects; surround sound, atmospheric lighting, lasers, fog et al.
|
|
Stitch by stitch
Winsome and charming Supriya Jain entered the field of designing by sheer chance more than two decades ago, but today she is doing Ludhiana proud by being counted among leading designers of North India. Known for ushering in the Indo-Western look, her 'Rose Creations' specialises in formal-wear.
"I have clients who really admire the gowns and cuts worn by celebrities at the high-end parties; I tried to give them the same look and I think I have succeeded," she smiles. Adept at stitching and embroidery, Supriya used to spend a lot of time at her sister's boutique and just idle doodling led to some great designs. The rest, as they say, is history. Rose Creations has taken a place of pride in three Punjab fashion weeks consecutively. The last one held recently was very special to her because she made her clients the show-stoppers, who wore designer garments by 'Rose Creations'. "If the client is happy, it's very satisfying," she says. According to this designer, gowns are here to stay especially the ones that are embellished with typical Indian embroidery like 'Gota pati' or 'Zardosi work'. "We are also into multipurpose garments where Anarkalis can be teemed with jackets and dresses can be worn with leggings or trousers," she adds. Supriya likes to source her raw material from different parts of the world and half her holidays are spent in scouting around for different fabrics and gems to give her outfits the exclusive look. In collaboration with The Audi People, she has taken part in three shows in Ludhiana as well as outside. "It is very vital to keep the persona of the client in mind while designing," says Priya. She still prefers to make the layout of the embroidery herself and has clients from all over Punjab as well as among NRIs.
|
|||||
|
Akki’s moustache blooper
But after the shoot, both he and director Prabhu Deva realised that Akshay had completely forgotten to remove his fake moustache during the shoot. “While I was shooting for Rowdy Rathore in Hampi, we decided to shoot some portions of Oh My God as well since we had time. All went well but it was only after the shoot that my director, Prabhu Deva and I realised that we had forgotten to remove the fake moustache!” Kumar said. Oh My God releases on September 28.
|
|||||
|
Farah supports her hubby
“Joker is our baby and we stand by it just as we would by Czar, Diva and Anya. We love it and care for it. You don’t abandon your child whatever the reason,” she said. She also praised her hubby Shirish. “He has clear vision and also a completely different vision from anything I have seen coming out of commercial Bollywood. Jaan-E-Maan, which was a love story and a rom-com, was shot so beautifully, almost like a Broadway musical with so much skill. Even in Joker, the amount of skill he gives, even in simple shots. I don’t think anybody shoots quite like he does. He’s a very visual director and that is what I really admire about him. He has a certain sense of style that is just his,” she added.
|
|||||
|
Vidya, the saree ambassador
The success of The Dirty Picture can be felt even today. Recently, Vidya Balan has signed an endorsement deal of a phenomenal amount of Rs 5 crores. The brand is based out of south India, the saree brand stands for traditional sarees but they wanted to have an edge for youngsters and have a strong youth appeal. They found both the qualities in Vidya Balan. Bling! Entertainment which is Vidya Balan’s celebrity management firm is the first to recognise this brand image of its client Vidya Balan and capitalise on it. Swati Iyer of Bling! Entertainment Solutions, “Vidya today represents the quintessential Indian woman, she not only dazzles in sarees but is also astoundingly self-assured to follow a path charted out only by her at a time when everyone is sporting similar looks she stands out far apart from the crowd. She brought sarees "back." Hence it is no surprise that we got her to be the face of the biggest saree brand in the country. We are delighted to represent a personality as unique as her and are extremely proud to play a crucial role in creating Brand Vidya. Today Vidya stands for everything beautiful, real, honest, Indian and fearless.” Atul Kasbekar adds "Internally we have positioned her as India's Meryl Streep. To a movie going audience worldwide, if the venerable Ms Streep's name is in the titles, it is reason enough to watch the film. We believe that Vidya is now in that league in India by a unique combination of critically acclaimed performances and box office success."
|
|||||
|
John Abraham and Sriram Raghavan have been trying to work together since a long time but the films did not take off! But now it looks like that an upcoming film which will be a thriller will finally get them together for the first time. The film is being scripted at the moment.
|
|||||
|
Divas & fashion formula
Short and sweet
Signature show
Spice of life
Surprise package |
|||||
|
Shall we dance?
Wearing minimal make up and her million dollar smile, the actress had a ball dancing and frolicking with the kids. Whether it was doing a jig on lavni with contestant Om or cat-walking with Jay Bhanushali and Marzi Pestonji or kicking her heels with Jeet Das, the actress did it all without any qualms! Master Marzi Pestonji and Bipasha took the onus of ragging Jay Bhanushali in Grandmaster Mithun Da's absence. Marzi made Jay do three cartwheels before he allowed him to sit next to Bipasha. Apart from other dedications, the kids had also prepared a special group act for Bipasha on the song Marhaba. Bipasha was so touched by the gesture that she joined the kids in the middle of the song and continued till the end. Another hilarious incident happened when Bipasha tried to teach Marzi and Jay how to do a catwalk while balancing a book on the head. Though the men failed to balance the books on their heads, the crew had a hearty laugh looking at them! For more masti and laughter, tune into this Sunday's episode of DID Dance Ke Superkids.
|
|||||
|
Return of the Crorepati
Amitabh Bachchan and Kaun Banega Crorepati are now synonymous with each other. The legendary star returns to TV with a brand new season next week. We spoke to him at the launch of the show.
The pressure isn't on me but on the channel. I am just delighted that they asked me to do the show. Yes, we hope that we can better our past work. What do you look forward to on your return on TV? It's much the same as getting in front of an audience or facing a camera. One is self conscious, there's fear, nervousness, anxiety and all factors connected with doing TV or films. It is no different than any other project. The theme of the promos this time is every question counts. What do you think of these themes and promos? The theme is very exciting. It's much needed too. It says Gyaan hi aapko aapka haq dilata hai -which is true as well. If you are knowledgeable enough then you have opportunity to change your life. The game plays an important part in the thinking of the nation about the girl child. Many people in our country feel she shouldn't have the same opportunity that the males get, which I think is wrong. Many women who come on the show have fought social norms, family. There are very depressing circumstances that surround them. Women have to cross more obstacles than men to get educated in life be it social norms, pressure from family or any other thing. That's why it is more credible to have a lady contestant, as some of their stories are so sad. In my eyes, they come out looking greater winners. Why do you think KBC works? It connects with people. KBC is not just a show but a medium to give people that one opportunity. The promos of KBC have become hugely popular. Yes I am glad they worked. Crossing the Rs 100 crore mark has become the new trend in films. What do you think of it? It is just a yardstick of the business of film. Earlier, a silver jubilee and golden jubilee was a benchmark to recognise the success of the film. I hope this number grows. — HRM
|
|||||
|
No more tears
Just as Sia and Raghav's wedding dawns closer, Viraaj's twisted and manipulative thoughts will reach its peak. He will put all his efforts to harm Raghav and get Janhavi (Sia) back in his life. But destiny had other plans for him. His efforts to corner Taashu, Raaghav's sister by blackmailing her about the controversial MMS he had shot of hers, will get foiled. All the eye witnesses he has gathered to prove he was a doting husband will turn around and back out. Instead they all use this opportunity to take revenge from Viraaj for all his brutal acts against them in the past. Not just that, the police will finally get their hands on the video tape that shows him beating up Janhavi (Sia). Catch the maha episode of Dil se Di Dua.. Saubhagyavati Bhava on Sunday, September 2.
|
|||||
|
The food code
But can he fool the most diehard fans in a blind taste test? That is the question! In the launch episode of the cookery show Top Secret Recipes on History TV 18 on Wednesday September 5, Todd takes on one of the world's most famous secret recipes, KFC's original recipe fried chicken. In his travelling kitchen that's known as the Mobile Food Lab, Todd finds his way to Louisville, Ky., to discover what it is that makes Colonel Sanders' recipe so finger licking good.
|
|||||
|
The year ahead
If your birthday is September 2...
Instead of just sitting around why not get involved in something that will improve your earning power? Push problems off your mind and concentrate on improving your position both at home and amongst friends. Apologise for your rude behaviour with a loved one. You need to take extra care of your luggage if you are travelling. Go out of your way to visit a gallery, enjoy music, try new cuisines and talk to new people; it'll feed your head in ways that may not be concrete but will be fruitful. Number two is the mediator and peace-lover. It indicates the desire for harmony. It carries a gentle, considerate and sensitive vibration. Ruled by the Moon, you will be diplomatic, warm, peaceful and sensitive. If expressed negatively: too dependent, manipulative and aggressive. You will feel more confident of your abilities. Others are drawn to you because of your positive attitude and willingness to take steps to further your personal goals. You could feel discouraged by the trials that concern your professional sphere and you'll tend to over-exaggerate your concerns. Students may not be very happy with their grades. Do not let this chance at fortune slip through your fingers. You might be unaware of the importance of current events, but your future is at stake. You must carefully consider the next step and start taking notes. Running short on time may require you to 'delegate out duty' and 'trust' members of some other star signs, especially Virgo, Scorpio, Cancer and Sagittarius. Monetary position is also likely to improve because of an important payment. Some of you will be buying something expensive for yourselves. Health will remain under duress. There will be lesser physiological disorders, maybe only the seasonal ones. Mood: Eager. Preferred signs: Scorpio, Virgo. Positive colours: Turquoise and Aqua. Select days: Sunday and Monday. Favourable numbers: 4, 8, 24, 50
|
|||||
|
Astro turf
ARIES: The Priestess gives you inner strength, maturity and communication skills. This is a good time to compete for a position of power. A general feeling of dissatisfaction lingers throughout the day. Tarot message: Use your instinct to get into the top circle of power. Lucky colour: White.
Magic number: 62 TAURUS: The card the Magician makes your imagination go wild. Promotions will be yours if you have acted professionally in times of crisis. You won't impress anyone by being overly generous. Tarot message: Learn from past experiences and desist from making similar ones again. Lucky colour: Green. Magic number: 42 GEMINI: Your card The Princess of Cups manages to maintain clarity and direction in complicated work situations. Love ties grow stronger and hotter! Children may be annoyed if they feel restricted. Tarot message: Be articulate to prevent people from making their own conclusions. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 46 CANCER:
The Ace of Wands makes you feel elated to see roses all the way. You can have quite a romantic adventure if you take time to get to know your mate all over again. Tarot message: Dare to accomplish those tasks which normally take up a lot of time. Lucky colour: Ebony. Magic number: 26 LEO: The Knight of Pentacles brings healing to practical and earthy matters. You need some help today. Changes in your home are apparent, and you must be willing to bend if you don't want to find yourself alone. Tarot message: Take one thing at a time instead of multi-tasking. Lucky colour: Forest green. Magic number: 47 VIRGO: The Knight of Swords instigates you to be active. The biggest plans require attention to turn them into reality. The higher you aim, the more precision is needed. You are most effective now. Tarot message: Listen carefully to words of wisdom even if you do not relish. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 61
LIBRA: Your card is Five of Pentacles. So friends could get on your nerves today. Mixing business with pleasure works for you. Plan a special romantic evening with your partner. Tarot message: You will receive a useful tip at the stock exchange which can be put to profitable use. Lucky colour: Black. Magic number: 30 SCORPIO: Your card The Moon gives you balance, perspective and clarity in relationships. At the same time, you have more phone calls and correspondence than usual to cope with at the moment. Tarot message: Allow a sick situation to blow over before you start a new project. Lucky colour: Burgundy. Magic number: 32 SAGITTARIUS: Do not put undue pressure on yourself to take on unwelcome tasks. Indulge in personal pleasures. You will be able to spot and correct mistakes with important projects. Tarot message: Balance and perspective will lead you out of problematic situations. Lucky colour: Brown. Magic number: 39 CAPRICORN:
Three Wands representing the Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh "Trinity", the creator bring success in whatever you do today. You could be in a restless mood and loved ones may bear the brunt of your temper. Tarot message: Remember never to fall for false promises. Lucky colour: Golden yellow. Magic number: 35 AQUARIUS: Make the initial moves to get the ball rolling. There could be lots of activity at work place and this may lead to additional job responsibilities or new projects that will help enhance your career prospects. Tarot message: Try a new off-beat style of handling things. Lucky colour: Rust. Magic number: 54 PISCES: Set aside a part of the weekly budget for whatever you need to ensure that you stay in top shape. A new approach to an old problem may work. Networking is more your style than team playing. Tarot message: Adopt a fresh approach while handling things. Lucky colour: Crimson. Magic number: 43
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
While shooting for some portions of his film Rowdy Rathore at Hampi, Akshay Kumar also decided to shoot sequences of his upcoming home production Oh My God at the same location as there was time in hand.
Shirish Kunder’s Joker which released this Friday may have failed to impress the film critics, but Farah Khan has come out in support of her husband and the film.
The first thing actress Vidya Balan brings to your mind is ‘sarees.’ Following the success of The Dirty Picture, Vidya Balan was the sole reason why the trend of sarees came back to Bollywood. She made wearing sarees trendy and cool. Vidya Balan has not at all have been ashamed of her curves or carrying herself.
Bipasha Basu, who is not a trained dancer, was totally moved by the dance steps and expressions of the contestants of DID Dance Ke Superkids. The actress came on the sets of Dance Ke Superkids to promote her latest flick RAAZ 3.
KBC has always performed beyond all expectations. Do you feel pressure of TRPs?
Viraaj, of Life OK's show Dil se Di Dua.. Saubhagyavati Bhava, finally meets his fate. Those who have been waiting patiently to see Janhavi set free from Viraaj's atrocities can expect some solace.
Chef Todd Wilbur is a food hacker who travels the country to crack America's favorite recipes. He has devoted his entire life to cracking Top Secret Recipes. From dissecting mainstays like the Big Mac to isolating the compounds of Twinkie filling, Todd employs a variety of tricks and old-fashioned trial and error to create identical clones of some of our favorite foods.
Udita Goswami (September 02, 1984, Dehradun) started her career with Paap, which was directed by Pooja Bhatt. Her next film Zeher, which also starred Emraan Hashmi and Shamita Shetty, was her breakthrough role and she became a well known face in the industry after its success. She also acted in Aksar, opposite Dino Morea and Emraan Hashmi. She was featured with Upen Patel in Ahmed Khan's music video of the remix of Kya Khoob Lagti Ho. Udita has a combination of Moon and Venus in the horoscope, which makes her volatile and this will launch her in cinema like other heroines.