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Cut to fame
Young filmmaker Gurvinder Singh’s debut Punjabi film Anhe Ghode Da Daan
will be competing at the International Film Festival of India, Goa, which takes-off on November 20. Gurvinder considers it a befitting culmination of the film’s journey
Today the feted and much-awarded film not only finds a place among the Indian panorama of films at the International Film Festival of India, Goa, but also will be competing with international films. Gurvinder considers it a great honour. In fact, he calls it a befitting culmination of the journey of the film. As he says, “After all it’s the official film festival of India that is held in Goa.” Based on Jnanpith award-winner Gurdial Singh’s novel Anhe Ghode Da Daan, the film has won a National Award too. But since it was not in the best film category it wasn’t an automatic qualification for the film festival and was judged all over again. Once again it won over the jury. Between critical acclaim and commercial success, Gurvinder is hankering after neither. Either wouldn’t affect or impair his unique and sterling way of telling stories. Indeed, festivals are important to a filmmaker and do set a benchmark for the films that are selected. Festivals like Cannes, which he thinks have been aggressively marketing itself as well as reaching out to India, is all the more important. But he has no regrets that his film couldn’t go to Cannes for Venice; Cannes and Berlin film festivals are mutually exclusive to each other and a film
can be screened only at one of these. Sure cinema is a business of commerce and his film despite meant for niche viewers could have done well provided it had been properly marketed. Yet it has been more than compensated and not only screened at several international film festivals,
but has also won over five awards. What has made the critics world over swoon according to Gurvinder is, “The film speaks in a universal language.” The film’s phenomenal success at film festivals, however, doesn’t weigh heavily on his shoulders. Actually as he has moved on to the next film, he stands completely unburdened and would make it as if it were his first. Adapted from a story by Waryam Singh Sandhu
the film, an Indo-French production, he says, will not be about the politics of the dark hour of terrorism in Punjab. Rather it will look at what those cataclysmic times meant to the common man and did to human relations, particularly Hindu-Sikh ties. Besides, it will provide an insight into the predicament of the common man caught in the atmosphere of fear. To be shot around Amritsar, casting too will be done on the location. Well-known faces are irrelevant to Gurvinder’s way of
making films. Since it’s a new film the style too could be different. But then being different is not a forced compulsion with Gurvinder, but an organic necessity. Rather kuch hat ke is neither a choice nor an aspiration but that’s the way he
is. nonika@tribunemail.com
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Nine-yard designer touch
From lehenga-style to Benarasi borders, it’s sarees with intricate work that are a huge hit this wedding season…
“It is designers such as Sabyasachi, Shantanu-Nikhil, Ritu Kumar and Manish Malhotra who have given sarees a new lease of life,” says Divya Kapoor from Samsaara. She adds, “And this wedding season, it’s sarees in intricate work like jaal-embroidery, badla, antique-work, mokaish, zardosi embellished with crystals, kundan, sequins and stones, which are working well. As for the colours, there is an endless choice; white is as much in fashion as red or yellow.” “Mix and match of fabrics is the most sought-after trend these days. Benarasi borders are as much in fashion as are organzas and tussars. ‘Conceptual’ sarees (that come with a kamarbandh or broche) and ‘placement’ sarees too are making waves, so are the ikkat silk saris. Fusion of colours is quite in, so is the blend of traditional and contemporary designs,” says Rajneesh Jain from Meena Bazaar. With designers giving much attention to fabrics, sarees have off-late become more glitzy and it’s the beautiful blend of colours, designs, traditional-work as well as contemporary cuts that have made sarees all the more glamorous. “If we say sarees for the wedding season, it’s the lehenga-style that is selling the most in this part of the country,” says Simple from Simple’s in Sector 35. She adds, “Easy to wear, it’s the style of the saree that is setting it apart; other than that it’s the bright hues that are making a style statement. Colours like gold, ruby and orange are the best-suited.” Talking of velvet, “It is quite in, so is chiffon and georgette. If we talk of work, than it is the traditional dabka and patti-work that has made a comeback this wedding season,” says duo Armaan and Indeep from The Closet.
Truly trendy
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A story to tell!
Bed-time stories are among our cherished memories from childhood, but how about one for dogs?
Pets today are as spoilt as children, if not more. There are a host of options available for them –right from the most comfortable of couches, blow-driers to designer accessories. And the latest to pamper your pet pooches are ‘bed-time stories’! Teddy and Stanley's Tall Tale is the audio book developed by Brit scientists Laura Quinn and Karen Wild. It supposedly has syllables that dogs find soothing. The audio book is read by actor Simon Callow. We try finding out if there could be such a thing as ‘soothing stories’ for dogs in human language. Dr Gurvinder Pal totally believes in this concept as much as in communication between pets and their owners. “I have seen masters communicating with their dogs most comfortably. The other day, there walked in this man with his pet pug who would answer yes and no by tilting its head in particular directions.” Dogs communicate much more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’, opine dog-lovers. Like this working couple who love spending time with their golden retriever. Their-11-month-old is fast expanding his human vocabulary! For Priya Singh from Sector 4, Panchkula, dogs have been the ultimate friends. Tuned well into the latest with pooches, she has already heard about Teddy and Stanley's Tall Tale and is seriously looking for checking it out for her tribe. Jojo and Zorro, two Pit bulls, have ruled her household for years, and now there are three more! She found Snowy on the road, quite sick, and she is doing everything to revive it to good health. When Junglee (he would pounce on her each time he saw her, so the name) got bit by another dog, she brought him home as well. Soon Chotu Ram followed, as Junglee was morose without his friend. Talk of the book and she exclaims with happiness. “This sounds incredible. Dogs do differentiate between the sounds,” says Priya, who is greeted by her stray tribe when she goes to feed them each morning. “They sense my coming with just the sound of my car and jump up from all directions.” NK Sharma, who runs Dog Lovers Point, Dhakoli, Zirakpur, has seen masters and pets sharing the language of love. “It all depends on how much an owner is responsive towards their pet. Dogs do gesture if only the masters catch,” says NK. Though this dog expert doubts if bed-time stories for dogs will work, there is no harm trying. For this book is available free on Youtube. Owners can even download it if they want to read it out to their pets! And, who said anything about leading a dog’s life? mona@tribunmail.com
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Astro turf
ARIES: Get real about your daily routine and make it a happy one. Meetings and negotiation with potential contractors, employers, employees and consultants can be productive. In the afternoon you will have fun. Tarot message: You find within yourself a fountainhead of will-power. Lucky colour: Orange.
Magic number: 47 TAURUS: Your card is The Magician, so you are not likely to be taken unaware by surprise happenings. It is probably a better period for working in familiar surroundings. Tarot message: At work, don't hold back anything from your employer. Lucky colour: Metallic-grey. Magic number: 42 GEMINI: Spend this perfect day with your loved one. Drop whatever you had scheduled and dedicate yourself to the one you love most. Exciting new contracts emerge from chance encounters. Tarot message: You must share responsibility with others. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 35 CANCER: If you have recently taken on a new job or contract, make sure to negotiate and organise all the specific terms and conditions. A greater workload is likely to be placed upon shoulders. Tarot message: Don't make impulsive decisions in personal relationships. Lucky colour: Ebony. Magic number: 40 LEO: Today is a test of competence in your profession. Your performance is on public view and those in charge will be carefully watching your every move. Judge all situations yourself. Tarot message: You gain by being practical; don't be emotional. Lucky colour: Saffron. Magic number: 32 VIRGO: Sudden encounters with extraordinary characters leave a mark on your life. You are unlikely to forget such incidents. Work and domestic duty follow a familiar pattern. You will find it difficult to reach agreements with loved ones. Tarot message: Be practical in your approach in life. Lucky colour: Yellow. Magic number: 25
LIBRA: Your lover may want attention, so comply. Employment affairs will be somewhat unsettled, especially in the morning. Home and family affairs will be most enjoyable when the time comes to relax and unwind. Tarot message: Do what is right and watch your best interests. Lucky colour: Sky-blue. Magic number: 28 SCORPIO: Cash should be flowing into your account today. This abundance is not due to luck, but your hardwork. Long-term projects and contracts will pay-off handsomely. Mental work will be stimulating. Tarot message: You should focus on professional changes. Lucky colour: Deep-red. Magic number: 32 SAGITTARIUS: The run of good business continues. It is a case of making hay while the sun shines. Relationships move to closer intimacy. Do not make the mistake of working late. Women: keep a tight grip on your purse strings. Tarot message: You have to push to succeed. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 40 CAPRICORN: Turn on your charm and the world's your oyster. Be sure to take full advantage of the good opportunity that comes your way. Singles have luck on their side and those with partners are back in saddle. Tarot message: By applying yourself you can achieve great success. Lucky colour: Peacock-green. Magic number: 51 AQUARIUS: The day is perfect for workaholics, which is great if you love your job and want to establish a powerful momentum of productivity. Friends and finance will not mix. Tarot message: Focus on the better to mitigate the bitter. Lucky colour: Forest-green. Magic number: 65 PISCES: Make efforts to apply for a job you really want. Do not neglect the daily grind by focusing all your attention on your partner. Do tell people what you are planning. Tarot message: Empty promises are certain, therefore try to put your terms and conditions in writing. Lucky colour: Peach.
Magic number: 61
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Stone age
(Sukhmani is a Chandigarh-based interior and landscape designer)
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Saturday Night Fever
Music doesn’t necessarily need to be meaningful to connect. At times the lyrics do the magic, some times the beats do the needful. When you are out to have a good time, how does it matter? The song Saturday Saturday by Indeep Bakshi fills the ever increasing demand for party music. The jumpy track shares the story of a simpleton to a hard-core party animal. The transformation of a Plain Jane to uber chic! That’s where the lyrics connect and so does the song. It’s played almost everywhere and wherever it is played, it is liked. That’s how they define popular music! Party mood
You don’t want to get into heavy meaningful lyrics when it comes to party tracks. I don’t see it becoming a classic but at the moment, the song is a hot favourite of the DJs. If you hear the lyrics carefully, they are actually inspired by true blue phenomenon that we see around. Simple girls getting spoilt while experiencing the new-found freedom in a different city. Then the catchy beats further add to its charm. Parangat Gupta, B.Comm
student Up lifting
As long as a track is bouncy and peppy, it works! When you are out to have a good time, you only want to listen to music that has a feel good factor. This song fits the criteria. That’s what I like about it. Not even for a second, at any stage of the song do you feel sad. That’s what I like about the song the most. Shivangi Ghai, 2nd year student, M.A (English) True to life
If you listen to it carefully, the lyrics are close to real life. Which is why they connect and you can see people humming the song wherever it is played. The artist might be unknown but it connects with youth and is about the transformation of a girl who comes from a protected family and how she becomes street smart. Shivdeep Batra, former student
(As told to Manpriya Singh)
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Lord Ram motivates
The army is charged up as they fight bravely with Kumbhakaran, brother of Raavan and one of the best warriors in Raavan's army. Ram's army wins the battle with Kumbhakaran's death. Raavan meets Ram finally on the war field and they fight for the last time. Victory of good over the evil prevails. Celebrations begin as Ram reunites with Sita and goes back to Ayodhya where Bharat was waiting for them. The people of Ayodhya celebrate this event as Divali, festival of lights, where they got back their king and with this Ramleela comes to an end.
Saraa signs a new show
She has signed up a show with Ali Merchant called SIT.
Produced by Somer Sault Productions, the show is about real life stories of media's sting operations.
The busy pair has been working on their respective shows Khamoshiyan and Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam
Doon.
This Divali, Mohit says, was special as not only was his show launched but also it was a year ago that he signed on for the show.
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Young crusaders
Functioning on similar lines of sharing and caring; Devika Singh, Garvita Sharma, Paavan Joshi and Jugaad Pannu, all class XII students, have formed an NGO, Khawaish, which provides clothes, raises funds and organises camps for the ‘have-nots’ in the society.
All four come from different schools, but work in collaboration to fully utilise the free time that they have. “It was in June that we all came together and formed this NGO, but actually started working from July onwards. Our first initiative was a visit to the slum in Sector 49, where we talked to people about the importance of health, hygiene and sanitation,” says Devika. She adds, “Our second initiative was ‘cloth-raising’ where we collected old clothes from various places and distributed it to the children in Sector 49 slums.”
They even raised some funds for Mother Teresa’s home by selling bags with the help of their parents. That’s not all; in a short-span of some four-months they even organised a cycle rally on the Independence Day to generate awareness about the environment. “It was a call for ‘Save the Environment’ for which we organised a cycle rally from Matka Chowk in Chandigarh,” says Devika.
With all the pressure of studies and tuitions, these youngsters keep their weekends for philanthropic activities. “Since we have school, we all meet on the weekends and do our work for the NGO,” they chorus. Next on their agenda is to get their NGO registered and then work towards raising funds for the cancer patients in Bhatinda. For the purpose, they already plan to rope in corporate houses, hospitals and people who believe in ‘giving’.
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Bimal Roy Trophy for Dilip Kumar
In a programme on November 19, the Bimal Roy Memorial and Film Society will honour veteran thespian Dilip Kumar with the Bimal Roy Trophy. The recognition comes in with less than a month to go before the veteran turns 90. This itself would be another milestone in the history of Indian cinema. Divulges the star’s actress-producer wife Saira
Banu, "Dilip Sahab's birthday is on December 11 and since it is his 90th, it is very special for all of
us."
Saira reveals that she has started meeting event managers to prepare for the event. She also maintains that the actor is quite healthy and all set for his birthday. "By the grace of Allah, he is in very good shape and I thank all his fans for the wishes and prayers. I guess everybody is looking forward to the celebrations. I will make an announcement when I have completed all the arrangements for the ceremony. I know that everybody, like last year, will join us to celebrate the occasion," Saira adds. No hotel has been booked for the birthday party, and yes, the party will not be held in any hotel but on the lawns of his Bandra bungalow. There will be a dawaat here on the night of December 11, it is understood. Dilip Kumar, who started in films with Jwar Bhata in 1944, holds the record for winning three consecutive Filmfare Best Actor awards in 1955, 1956 and 1957.
Qila, made in 1998 was Dilip Kumar’s last film.
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The year ahead
If your birthday is November 18...
A close relationship has become more of a burden than a blessing. Part of the problem is that you have made your partner overly dependent on you. Your birthday on the 18th suggests that you've got great instincts in family matters. A relative who has been acting strangely needs professional help. There's no shame in getting assistance for a stubborn problem. By offering this loved one your full support, you'll pave the way for his or her recovery. Their situation may require an unorthodox approach, but as long as the method brings results, it's worth pursuing. Don't worry what outsiders will say about this unexpected turn of events. Your friends have got your back, but they need your support in return. It's a good time for you to show those who mean the most to you what you can do for them. Little things are the best. There is a humanistic or philanthropic approach to business circumstances in which you find yourself. You are very much the organiser and administrator. Mood: Optimistic Compatible signs: Virgo, Capricorn. Lucky colours: Maroon, White. Lucky days: Monday and Saturday. Lucky numbers: 4, 7, 18, 22, 45.
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Priyanka has two full-time jobs
Priyanka Chopra's music career is beginning at the moment and she is going great guns in films too. The busy desi girl talks about acting, singing, dancing, and more. Packed schedule
I have Krrishh 3 which will be released next Divali and then Zanjeer for which I have started shooting now. Next year, I begin shooting for Gunday and Milan Talkies. I cannot work more than this! Singing and acting are both full-time jobs! Art & commerce
I know the commercial aspect of films is very important but I like to do at least one film a year in which I get to act my heart out in a challenging role. That is why I have done films like Fashion, Kaminey, Barfi!, Aitraaz, What's Your Raashee? 7 Khoon Maaf and Agneepath. In some films, even with a small role, I made an impact. Bonding with Big B
I am his brand ambassador because I have acted in many remakes of his films! I cannot play him so I become the heroine. It was a pleasure and an honour working with him too. Zanjeer, Don and Agneepath are remakes of his movies and I am part of all of them.
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Bodyguards for Minissha
Zilla Ghaziabad is not one of the safest places for a lady to walk alone even in the afternoon and when the lady is as hot as
Minissha Lamba, she definitely deserves security to be safe and sound. While shooting in Ghaziabad, known for its high crime rate, for her forthcoming film Zilla Ghaziabad, special care was taken for Minissha’s safety. She was always accompanied by four security guards whenever she used to step out of the hotel. In fact, there were always two security guards outside her hotel room.
“After the first day fiasco on the sets, the producer was very clear to have personal security guards for all of us, especially me. So for safety reasons, they were kind enough to oblige even before I asked for it,” says Minissha.
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It’s a film that has gone places and has crossed one milestone after another. Ever since young filmmaker Gurvinder Singh’s debut Punjabi film Anhe Ghode Da Daan was screened at the Venice Film Festival, awards and critical acclaim have come to him ad infinitum. 
Brush up your bridal wardrobe with some velvet-embellished, zardosi-lined and gotta-embedded sarees this wedding season. An ultimate traditional as well as one of the most glamorous outfits for women, sarees have endured the test of time and fashion. The wedding season is here again and it’s the designer sarees that are doing the rounds.
Rock gardens are a favourite element of modern landscaping. It is not just a pile up of rocks haphazardly placed in your yard. They require as much planning as any other garden. A rock garden is an integrated combination of rocks and plants selected to enhance the aesthetic quality of the garden. Rock gardens can help bring a piece of nature right into your garden. They add an element of movement to an otherwise overly flat landscape. They require very little care and are thus easy to maintain. Rock gardens are ideally suited to a sloping piece of land but there is no reason why you can’t have one on a flat surface. There are however a few points to keep in mind before you start.
If your land is flat, create small mountains and re-sculpt the landscape. The base of this garden design consists of soil and coarse rocks. You will need to put these things over the entire area that you want to convert into a rock garden.
Use plants that are small in size. Take your time when setting your plants and flowers. Occasionally step back and observe if you have not grouped too many of the same flowers or plants together.
The last and final episode of Life OK's Ramleela on November 18, starts with an inspirational speech by Ram where he motivates his army for the battle that lies ahead.
Saraa Khan of Dhoondh Legi Manzil Humein fame has now attached an extra 'A' to her name for the sake of numerology and also to differentiate herself from Sara of Bidaai fame.
The cute couple Mohit Sehgal and Sanaya Irani celebrated Divali together.
It’s been a while now since we witnessed youngsters trying to bridge the gap between the ‘haves and the have-nots’. With aids, facilitation and encouragement coming from the schools, government and parents, quite a few of them have formed their own NGO’s and are working towards building a better society.