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When fact meets fiction
This in nutshell is not only the plot of Dr John Balian's debut novel Gray Wolves and White Doves but also his life's real story. So what happens when fact and fiction coalesce to give birth to a work in essence a novel that has been recently released in India? Dr John elaborates, "Indeed. It's largely biographical based on real-life events and incidents of the 1960's and 1970's in the Middle-East, yet many characters are fictional too." As the travails of the young boy lead the reader into the bylanes of the past and clash of civilisations takes form, one wonders whether knowledge of the historical background is imperative for the reader. Dr John doesn't think so. In fact, he insists that nowhere in the book do facts weigh heavy on the storytelling format. Yet at the same time, the book is informative and educative. 'Learn while you read' might be the underlying current of the novel, its readability is never in doubt. Reviews, he says, have compared him to Charles Dickens and John Grisham. But can one be objective while penning a book culled from one's own life? Says the author, "For one, the novel doesn't chronicle my entire life. So there is a little chance of gloating over my achievements. The novel's protagonist is barely six when it starts and by the time he is sixteen and puts his foot on the soil of the US, the story comes to an end." Not surprising, the book has been hailed as balanced and even-handed by Turks too though it is about the conflict between Turks and Armenians. Dr John adds, "The title of my novel is a pointer that I am referring to gray shades that are present in all of us, including the lead protagonist that is me." Indeed, his writing endeavour began as a cathartic exercise but soon Dr John realised that here was an inspirational story that could touch a universal chord and inspire many. In India where the book has been re-launched by Indian publisher Westland, the story of invincible human spirit has been received rather well and earned him many adulating readers. With India, where Dr John has often been coming, undeniably he shares a special bond. Indeed, India is a land of many stories but it is unlikely to figure in John's scheme of writing in the near future. The world of words he has been completely smitten by and more books are in the offing for sure. However, if the story he has lived took him eight years to put on paper…. clearly the next one won't be a hurried job either. But then this busy man is not in a tearing hurry to write his next book. Nor does he have any reason to trivialise or sex up his 'truth is stranger than life' accounts. For nothing can be more absorbing or 'un-put-downable' than pages from real life. nonika@tribunemail.com
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success mantra Mona He still considers himself a lawyer who has stepped up to serve the public. Coming from a political background, Manish Tewari's first love has not been politics actually. "I would have been a mid-level manager or a happy lawyer had certain things not happened in a particular way," he says. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Information and Broadcasting, Manish has been the alumnus of St. John's School and later Panjab University, Chandigarh. An active sportsperson, he is an avid reader of world history and period dramas. Manish shares his mantras for success. Believe yourself Must believe in what you do — one can triumph only if one believes in one's dreams. I grew up in Punjab in the times when the sentiment of resurgent India was running strong. Inspired by young mentors, we were indoctrined to make India a powerful, one nation. Every act is another step in that direction. Diligence pays Execute the task assigned to you diligently — if one has faith in one's dreams, this becomes rather easy. Putting in the best efforts in the right direction comes automatically when one has that sense of purpose. It's the internal strength that acts as a guiding beacon towards your goal. Research well Do thorough research and homework — public affairs is a field based in conventions and practices. One must research well and learn to take it forward. One needs to observe rather closely to learn the nuances. Recognise limitations Must realise there is only so much you can do — each individual has inherent limitations.By this I do not mean that one should become disheartened or pessimistic, but rather put one's best foot forward in the given circumstances. At the same time one must also realise that one's perimeter is limited; that one is part of much larger plans set by God. Conviction important Work in a manner which is equitable, judicious and transparent — these are the three keywords in the public sphere. People who repose faith and elect you, put you under an obligation that no act of yours is arbitrary or capricious. All of us go through the periods of self doubt; introspection is what we all must do. It is one's conviction that always comes to the rescue. Keen focus Howsoever high you fly, you must remain grounded — I do that by running. Half-an-hour of exercise for the instrument (body) that works 15-17 hours a day is a must! When I run in public parks, I come across people from different walks of life. That's a gentle reminder; you are just one of them and doing your job. I unwind by reading comics; anything from Tintin, Asterix and Obelix to Lotpot. I believe life without humour is colourless and insipid. Everyone has his or her own set of challenges; one must find one's own ways to keep in balance. I guess today's generation is bombarded by information and has to struggle to keep focused, remain single-minded. However, if one has the thought, the goal is not far. As for Manish, he takes his work in his stride and hopes to really write the book he has been contemplating for the last ten years. The theme, he wants to keep to himself till you hold his book! mona@tribunemail.com
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Conventional notes
Almost a year back when the five of them sat together to decide the name of their band, they agreed upon Jugaadh after much contemplation. Now, when they look back, they feel happy to have picked up the name that explains their kind of music and defines what they aim at.
Jugaadh isn't self-explanatory though, so each time someone asks them to put it in simpler terms, none of them minds taking the charge. "The name has been derived from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and it means 'through the ages'," Asim Singh Halwarvi does the honours this time. Other members of the band, Abhay Bhagat, Rajneesh Dhiman, Anand Dhingra and Komal Gaba join in, "We sing and play classical music, the genre youngsters are not very keen on taking up these days. But this music has survived, stood the test of time and is still popular. It has reached our generation through the ages, hence Jugaadh." While Asim is a student of Class XII at Vivek High School, Chandigarh, others have studied music at the higher levels. "I realised my calling for music while I was pursuing music honours in graduation," says Komal Gaba. For Abhay, it was never tough to decide his future — music it had to be. Anand and Rajneesh are already sharing their knowledge of music with students. "We might have achieved something in music at personal levels, but we knew recognition would only come if we performed together after forming our own band." So, Asim gives his contribution on the piano, Rajneesh at the tabla and the rest lend vocals. "As of now, we are only singing the older compositions from Bollywood, but we have plans to come up with originals soon," adds Abhay. They usually pick up Sufi tracks for public performances. Instrumental preferences are Raag Kalyan and Shiv Ranjini. They don't feel threatened by the popularity of rock bands and how youngsters are inclined towards the genres of the West. "We have seen it happen, audiences aren't able to connect with music that doesn't have a soul. Sufi and classical music has it. People might get entertained with rock music, but peace is guaranteed only through the classical form," says Komal. Not an easy task at all, as it requires riyaaz on a daily basis and understanding of the music. It also requires dedication, which can be compromised with in case of popular music forms. Also, theory is as important as the practicals in classical music, "Undermine the importance of theory and one will never be able to achieve perfection in any music form," Abhay explains the significance of academic training. They will be now performing at the Vivek High School on December 20 and are hopeful that the audience will connect well.
ashima@tribunemail.com
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The plot thickens
High expectations With my first book selling a 1,00,000 copies, 12 reprints and an award nomination, pressure to bring out a sequel was too high. While the story had been running in my head for three years, it took me a year to pen it down. Mine was an effort to write a book which if not better is at least as good as the first one. Story continues The characters remain the same. It’s coming of age story of Tiana, who is struggling to find her own place under the sun where competition is fierce and friendships fickle. It’s a story rooted in reality, something that I have experienced and seen around. The inspiration Like every other young girl, I have grown up reading Jane Austen. I love Meg Cabot, JK Rowling and Oscar Wilde. When it comes to films, my favourite is Imtiaz Ali. His works are crisp, to the point, something that I try to obtain in my writing. Future plans Well, I am on with the third and final book of Pink and Black. And then, I will think of turning them into a film script. Meanwhile, I continue to work in the film industry and look forward to further opportunities. Published by Rupa, Pink or Black 2 is priced at Rs 140.
mona@tribunemail.com
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HEART
talk Parvesh Rana 
I am a 45-year-old married woman with well settled kids. Now, I want to start my own work but my children don’t approve of it. Am I doing something wrong? Seema Mishra, Chandigarh
I am a 24-year-old boy and I want to be an actor. I want to move to Mumbai for the same. But I am also very good in studies. Do you think this will be a wise move? Ankit, Mohali You have to find your calling, if you are good in studies then pursue that. You can move to Mumbai once you have completed your education. Don’t leave your studies for an unsure career like acting. (Rana is a television anchor)
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doc
talk Dr Kiran Lohia
The good The sun gives off ultraviolet rays called UVA and UVB light. These rays are often used to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema and more. They work by reducing inflammation in the skin to improve the severity of these prevalent dermatological problems. The sun also provide Vitamin D, an important nutrient needed for good bone health. Interestingly, Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with other problems such as depression, tiredness, loss of muscle strength and falls. The bad The sun is unfortunately implicated in a host of negative effects. It can cause allergic rashes because the body sometimes develop an allergic reaction to the sun. There are many different types of rashes that can occur, varying from mild to severe. The sun can also cause pigmentation. Melasma is a disease where dark patches erupt on the face, particularly among women. This is primarily due to the sun. There are other pigmentation problems such as freckles. Freckles are essentially little dark marks that can occur due to sun exposure. UV light from the sun also causes the skin to age. Up to 80 per cent skin aging is caused by harmful sunrays. UVA rays penetrate the skin and damage the collagen, the supporting proteins in your skin. This results in sagging, loose skin and wrinkles. Suntan and sunburn are also some after effects of sun exposure. These occur because UV light causes damage to the skin's cells. To counteract that damage, the skin's melanocytes, or pigment producing cells, release melanin, or pigment. This pigment absorbs UV light to prevent it from causing further damage. This is why the skin appears darker or tanned after going out in the sun. When there is not enough melanin to protect the skin, then sunburn can occur. Sunburn happens because UV radiation changes the DNA in the cells, resulting in those cells dying. This causes a severe inflammatory reaction, resulting in redness, swelling, pain and skin peeling. The ugly The sun can also cause skin cancer. Skin cancer occurs more in lighter skin types, however, it does also occur in Indian skin. Skin cancer occurs because UV radiation from the sun changes the DNA of skin cells, resulting in mutated cancer-prone cells. The verdict The sun does have many important benefits, particularly its use in dermatological diseases and in Vitamin D production. However, sun exposure must be moderate, and a proper sun protection regimen should be followed. Remember, avoid the sun between the hours of 10am to 3pm, and wear sunblock. (Dr Lohia is a dermatologist)
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Par Excellence Jesse Grewal
When the putter face is shut to the path (not necessarily shut to the target line) the ball will go left for right handed golfers. Similarly if it is open to the path it would go right. Putter head shapes vary and the shape combined with the type of hosel bend change the way the putter face works. Typical mallet putters like the Odyssey Two Ball are face balanced. If you hold the putter up and balance the shaft on one finger you will see that the face remains in the same position – facing upwards. The toe does not go down. Some ‘Anser’ style putters are 45 degree toe balanced which means that the toe points down by 45 degrees. Heel shafted putters could be completely toe weighted which would have the toe pointing more downwards. Face balanced putters are suited to straight back and through strokes. During this stroke we would not like the face to open and if it does it would
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More than Amritsari fish!
Jasmine Singh
Food that are found in every nook and corner of the heritage city, are now part of this festival. ‘Authentic’ is the key word, with every dish revolving around it. Six dishes on the vegetarian and six on the non- vegetarian side will give you options to zero in on. Bhein champ, soya champ masala, brain curry, gurda kapura, keema mushroom-the old names with old the flavours. As Chef Sanjeev Verma of Pashtun puts it, “The idea behind putting together this food festival is to give the people something different to eat. They must have tried some of the dishes in Amritsar and now is the chance to taste them here in Pashtun.” Two chefs from Amritsar will be cooking the tawa dishes. Mutton kaleji, mushroom takatak, soya champ masala, sat dane ki roti and makki ki roti from tandoor and tawa are some of the dishes that you can try. “Some dishes like these haven’t changed, they have got stuck in time because there is no replacement for authentic food,” adds Sanjeev. The two interesting things that you can’t miss on the menu are gur ka halwa and pineapple halwa for the dessert. The chefs have carried their own masalas and of course techniques from Amritsar, and will be cooking at Pashtun till December 29.
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STAR TRACK
The movie has been getting delayed for various reasons but the 37-year-old is positive about the film’s release. “Ishkq In Paris will release in 2013. We got delayed finishing it due to my director falling sick. Besides that it looks great," Zinta tweeted. The Veer-Zaara star also plays the lead in Ishkq In Paris opposite newcomer Rhehan Malliek. The movie is directed by Prem Soni and features French actress Isabelle Adjani. “Sometimes we have no control over life and destiny! I believe things happen for a reason. Ishkq In Paris gets more special to me now," she added. — PTI
Get set go: Co-stars Rhehan Malliek and Preity Zinta
Salman Khan, whom the whole world wants to see getting married, has revealed that for him marriage is jinxed and he hopes that the jinx continues. “No, I think about not getting married. I was close to getting married a long time ago. But it didn’t happen and since then it has not been happening,” Salman said during an interview with Anupama Chopra.
“It is jinxed and I am very happy. I hope this jinx continues. I am very comfortable in my own space now,” he added. — ANI No marital bliss: Salman Khan
10-minute wonder
Singer Adele finished singing the theme song of latest James Bond movie Skyfall in just 10 minutes, reveals the music producer.
“Within 10 minutes, she put down most of the vocals. She had the lyrics in her head when she drove over. It was the most absurd thing," Epworth said. “She’s fast but it was phenomenal," he added. — IANS
Frozen in wax
Madame Tussauds has unveiled a new waxwork of Jennifer Aniston, complete with a replica of her massive eight-carat engagement ring. The 43-year-old actress’s lifelike statue has immortalised her tanned and toned form in a sexy halter-neck little black dress with floral embroidery and strappy black heels.
Aside from an overall shiny sheen, the Friends star’s likeness was practically perfect down to the minimalist style, blown-out locks, and frosty eye-shadow which brought out her baby blue eyes. Her figure joined fellow celebs Jennifer Lopez, Robert Pattinson, Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as her former husband Brad Pitt and his fiance Angelina Jolie at the museum’s Big Apple location. — ANI Complete look: Jennifer Aniston
Slimming secret of Megan Fox
Megan Fox has revealed the secret to her curvaceous figure–staying off dairy products. The former ‘Transformers’ star explained how she managed to get back into shape after giving birth to son Noah in September.
“I’m not eating dairy, that’s my biggest secret,” she said. “It’s really hard on your hormones and it’s not good. “If you want to gain weight, eat dairy. If you don’t, don’t eat it,” she said. Fox, who gained 23lbs when she was pregnant, said that she doesn’t support post-natal exercise. “I should have pre-endorsed some sort of workout something, so that I could be selling it now!” she added. — ANI Back in shape: Megan Fox
Priceless affair...
A two-day sale of clothing, jewellery and other memorabilia belonging to reclusive movie star Greta Garbo fetched $1.6 million, more than three times the original estimate, according to Julien’s Auctions.
Garbo’s Louis Vuitton streamer trunk, which sold for $37,500, was among the top sellers in the auction of 800 items which began on Friday, along with three leather driving caps she wore in a 1924 car advertisement that fetched $15,000. A US passport issued to her in 1964, which carried an estimate of $3,000-$5,000, also sold for $15,000, and a 1930s black velvet evening dress that had an estimated value of $1,200 went to the highest bidder for $13,750. “Greta Garbo commanded Marilyn Monroe prices," Martin Nolan, the executive director of the Beverly Hills auction house, said in a statement. “Her beauty, extraordinary screen presence and fashion trending style were proven to be timeless." Garbo, one of Hollywood’s greatest stars and beauties, died in New York in 1990 at the age of 84. She retired from film and public life decades earlier in 1941. All of the items in the sale had been kept in storage before her family decided to sell them in the auction that was announced in August. — Reuters
Sunny in Ragini MMS 2
Actress Sunny Leone, who made her Bollywood debut with Pooja Bhatt’s Jism 2, says she is excited about her next project Ragini MMS 2.
“Ragini MMS 2 preparations are starting and I am so excited. I can’t believe that I get to shoot another movie and with a great company," she posted on Twitter. — PTI Second innings: Sunny Leone
Anna Faris’ husband loves her curves
Scary Movie star Anna Faris says her actor-husband Chris Pratt has encouraged her not to lose all of her baby weight as he prefers her curves.
The 36-year-old actress and Moneyball star Pratt welcomed son Jack in August. “I have the sweetest husband. He makes me feel good at any weight. In fact, I kind of think that he likes it when I am a bit bigger," Faris said. “When I fell in love with Chris it was great. We both grew up in little towns next to each other near Seattle and I found that very comforting. “My marriage to Ben Indra didn’t work out the first time round but I am still a big believer in marriage. We lead a boring life in LA on purpose. I never go out, I never go to premieres, don’t go to parties and don’t live a Hollywood lifestyle,” she added. — PTI lucky wife: Anna Faris
Kristen opens up
Hollywood actress Kristen Stewart has spoken for the first time about her cheating on boyfriend Robert Pattinson with director Rupert Sanders.
Stewart, 22, and her Twilight co-star split for three months after her fling with the married father-of-two, 41, but the actors have reconciled now. Stewart cheated on Pattinson, 26, with Sanders who directed her and his wife Liberty Ross in the film Snow White And The Huntsman. After the romance was exposed Stewart publicly apologised to Pattinson. They have been inseperable since rekindling their love in October – in time to promote The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. — PTI
A share in Casablanca
Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio is the co-owner of the piano used in the classic movie Casablanca after he teamed up with a billionaire friend to buy the memorable item.
The instrument was used by actor Dooley Wilson in the 1942 movie as he performed on the famous song As Time Goes By. The piano went under the hammer at Sotheby’s in New York for $600,000. The Titanic star was a part of the duo which made the private winning bid. DiCaprio and businessman friend Stewart Rahr are now planning to donate the piano to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Experts had predicted the studio piece would fetch as much as $1.2 million at Friday’s sale. — PTI
Matt Damon is not done yet
Hollywood actor Matt Damon has given fans of the Bourne films hope that he will return to the franchise.
The 42-year-old actor said that he plans to sit down with director pal Paul Greengrass and plot his most famous character’s future. The movie star turned down the chance to star in a fourth film and Jeremy Renner took over the lead in what became blockbuster hit The Bourne Legacy earlier this year, but Damon insists he might not be done with Jason Bourne just yet. “I love the character, and the three movies we did, so I would love to figure out a way to do another one. I am going to talk to Paul Greengrass about it," Damon said. But he doubts a new film would bring him and Renner together. “I don’t see those Damon also said that he still hasn’t seen The Bourne Legacy — but he plans to. “Jeremy Renner is a terrific actor. I have not seen the movie yet. First, I was filming a movie. We then had to rush back to New York, where we live, so we could get the kids settled and into school," Damon said. — PTI |
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chatter box
Kushal Tandon, the charming Virat from the serial Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna
Hai, Proving television as big a platform as films, he has managed to get a small screen space in everyone's heart. Kushal has not only topped the list amongst television actors, but also been voted higher than great actors such as Shahrukh Khan, John Abraham and Ranbir Kapoor. Humbled by this announcement, Kushal says, “The announcement came as a total surprise to me. It's been such a great year. A big thank you to all my fans and those who voted for me; thank you for the constant support and encouragement."
Role play
There is no doubt about actor Ajay Singh Choudhary's talent. He has time and again proved himself in shows like Love Story, Phulwa, among others. Now he is back on TV with a new show on Life OK titled Junoon.
Why did you choose to do Junoon although Aditya
Redij is the lead? I decided to go ahead because of the story and my character Akash, who is a positive and happy-go-lucky guy. Aditya and Mouni Roy are also in the show. Soon it will develop into a love triangle. There are other facets of Junoon, which will unravel in time. After playing lead in Phulwa one thought you would stick to lead roles. What hapeened? I go for roles that appeal to me and Phulwa was a great experience. My character had multiple shades from lover to cop, from positive grey to positive again. I didn’t want the show to end. I was enjoying it so much. My start was with Anuraag Basu’s Love Story, which was a superb role. Later too I worked with Vikram Bhatt in the horror show Anhoniyon Ka Andhera. I am fortunate to have worked with so many talented film-makers; I feel I have a long way to go. You also left many shows like Pavitra Rishta, Saas Bina Sasural and Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai. Why? Yes I did and that was due to creative differences. I would rather do roles that satisfy me as an actor. Thankfull,y I have got different characters in my career. Have you done films? Yes, I have - Let's Dance and Aam Ras. As an actor I want to try different roles and films offer that. However, no matter what, I won’t quit TV for films.
Weighty issue
Rishika Mihani, who is the real sister of actress Muskaan Mihani, lost 13 kilos before getting into the television world. Now she maintains her weight by running on the treadmill and keeping a tab on what she eats. She always likes to eat home-cooked food, but one day she treats herself and eats whatever she likes.
Love-ly time
Sambhavana Seth's birthday celebration was not just about her birthday, but also about showing off her boyfriend Avinash Divwedi. Sambhavana looked gorgeous and had aw onderful time with Ravi Kissen, Saroj Khan, Rohit Verma, Monica Bedi, Faisal Reza Khan, Aditya Singh Rajput, Shakeel Saifi, Kamaal Khan, Bobby Darling, Alicia Raut et al. Sambhavna seemed all in love and had a great time. Birthday Bumps: Sambhavana Seth & Ravi Kissen
Sallu’s charm
Colors Golden Petal Awards evening was a grand celebration, bringing together the entertainers of the small screen along with the glamour of the big. The star- studded evening of Colors Golden Petal Awards saw the enormity of fun, excitement and energy upped to a completely different level with all the stars under one roof.
While all the stars shone, the brightest of them was Salman Khan. Salman got three generations of Colors’ family together to put up an entertaining act that became the
Spirited show
Bharati surprised viewers during the tribute by actors at the celebrations of Sau Saal Cinema Ke. The talented comedian did a flawless performance on the golden song Meri bhains ko anda kyun maara. Since it was Bharti, she herself decided to play Bhains in this hilarious performance. The actress won the appreciation of everyone present. The audience give her a standing ovation and appreciated her dancing! |
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Astro turf
ARIES: You will be focused and alert. Working with colleagues and gaining their support will lead to faster progress on assignments. Don’t take impulsive decisions regarding your finances.
Tarot message: Don’t accept situations you dislike. Lucky colour: Aqua. Lucky number: 63
TAURUS: You're not undecided, just trying to understand what others around you are thinking so that you can plan ahead. Avoid new debt or excess spending. Minor muscle aches will bother you.
Tarot message: Take thing
one at a time. Lucky colour: Sea-green. Lucky number: 48 GEMINI: Do not overlook a chance meeting that may lead to future romance. Kick old habits and adopt a healthier lifestyle
with more time for meditation as well as relaxation. Tarot message: Polish your
public relation skills. Lucky colour: Mauve. Lucky number: 43 CANCER: You are likely to find an ideal partner. Be bold to speak out your mind. Professional success blends with anxiety as changes are imminent. Delays can be expected today. Relax; things will clear up.
Tarot message: Beware of depleting your energy or resources on others. Lucky colour: Peach.
Lucky number: 38 LEO: You will be able to enjoy interacting with people who share your views and thoughts. Your ability to communicate effectively will help you enhance your reputation. Today loved ones will be more demanding. Tarot message: Pride will not be rewarded. Lucky colour: Chocolaty-brown. Lucky number: 55 VIRGO: You find ways to express your creativity and emotions. Your personal interests are likely to be stagnant. This should be a pleasantly sociable day. Activities with your partner and friends are likely to be good. Tarot message: A setback would be followed by rapid advance. Lucky colour: Burgundy.
Lucky number: 49
LIBRA: Today a long-cherished dream will come true. A date with your lover is likely. Do not try any short-cuts as they may misfire. Be understanding; keep in mind the likes and dislikes of your mate.
Tarot message: Do not refuse offers without seeking proper advice. Lucky colour: Green.
Lucky number: 29 SCORPIO: Youngsters should be capable of entertaining themselves and they will be happiest if left alone. Romantic promises or repeated social patterns require consideration. Tarot message: A dissatisfactory phase will need gentle handling.
Lucky colour: Sky-blue Lucky number: 44 SAGITTARIUS: A new business venture is just on the cards. Minor jealousies are best addressed in the moment. Tensions will be easily forgotten. You tend to be lazy and laid back today.
Tarot message: Feel free to change your mind. Lucky colour: Pink. Lucky number: 37 CAPRICORN: A close friend needs delicate advice concerning strained relationships or unexpected emotional triangles. Past disappointments and old memories may now provide valuable social wisdom.
Tarot message: You may aggravate your problems. Lucky colour: Maroon. Lucky number: 54 PISCES: Expect loved ones to propose new forms of entertainment or ask for greater involvement in your daily life. This is an excellent time to adopt new routines or develop unique hobbies.Tarot message: Do not get tied down by any promises.
Lucky colour: Orange. Lucky number: 46
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The year ahead
If your birthday is December 18...
You will be pleasantly surprised by gifts received from a loved one; just the fact that someone has tried to please you in a personal way should lift your spirits. You are about to spend some good time with nice people. You might get closer to someone you knew; thanks to a stranger. People around you will be touched by your kindness. They will be grateful. It's a good time to take care of old business. Step back and evaluate the future you see for 2013. If something needs adjusting, attend to it now. A sweet good mood rolls into town - finally. Enjoy good times together and reap the rewards of your recent relationship efforts. External circumstances regularly change. You must, however, consider that the most intimate essence of man is unchanged over time. Give what you have to grow. Try to help others as well as you can. Let the details escape you for now - nobody's perfect. Ask your partner to assist in some tricky balancing acts between home and work. Your organisational skills can be put to good use in your partner's life. Gently lead them to your system, instead of forcing it down their throat. Try not to show-off too much - people are definitely watching out for signs of pomposity and self-centered behaviour. You ought to be able to take care of life without making a big show out of it. Have you considered digging into your family history? It appears your research could uncover a famous or infamous woman. Finding out about her may affect your self-image, but this will pass. Ideas for achieving some of your dreams will come from both friends and family members. You could turn a commitment outside the home into a family affair next year. A project will go well and you'll manage to get most of the credit. An unexpected hitch will slow things down for those of the first decade. Nervous insecurity may 'chew' away at your self-confidence. News of an important project, perhaps from overseas, will be encouraging in January. Investments made in new ventures are likely to bring good returns. Mood swings could lead to stomach disorders. A morning walk will be beneficial for maintaining a good digestive system. Do not invest in land, rather purchase a built-up house. Mood: Emotional. Compatible signs: Pisces, Gemini. Lucky Colors: Silver, White. Lucky Days: Tuesday and Saturday.
You share your birthday with Shruti Seth (December 18, 1977, Gujarat), who started her career with modelling but eventually moved to television. She has acted in many serials such as Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr, Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand and Shararat. She has also starred in a few movies.
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A five-year-old boy lives on the edge of the Turkish Plains of Anatolia near Diyarbekir, a historic Armenian city now in Eastern Turkey. Tragedy befalls him, takes him to Jerusalem and he is caught in the holy City's unholy wars. Days of struggle define his formative years before he finally finds himself on the crossroads of life and has to choose between two paths. He prefers to be in the land of opportunity the United States of America.
The high school drama intensifies in Pink or Black 2. The young writer Tishaa has moved on since her first outing Pink or Black four years back. With a course in filmmaking from New York Film Academy, Los Angeles and stint as an assistant director on a Bolly movie, Tishaa is gaining experience in the field she wants to make her career in. In Chandigarh on Monday the young girl makes no pretence of attempting a classic. It’s a light book for young adults that she wants to write which is entertaining with an underlying message. In her soft spoken way, Tishaa opens up about her book and more.
I am surprised that your children have a problem with you working or starting your own venture. You should make your point logically clear to them and make your own decisions. Money could be an issue but you can discuss that.
Sun exposure is a controversial topic. As a dermatologist, I see both the negative and positive effects of the sun in my daily practice. Read below to know the good, the bad and the ugly about the sun!
The path of the putting stroke varies between good players. Some swing it on an arc – which is an inside to square to inside stroke while others move the putter on a relatively straight back and straight through path. All putting strokes have an arc. The straight back stroke has a slight arc while the inside one has a bigger or more pronounced arc. The important key is to have the putter face square to the path.
Cuisines that flirt with your senses, cuisines that we keep going back to, and then cuisines that have got stuck in time, in their authentic form and shape! Pashtun, formerly known as Khyber 35, pulls out dishes that have been a part of Amritsar for their Amritsari Tawa Festival.
Bollywood actress Preity Zinta’s much talked about debut production venture Ishkq In Paris will hit the theatres next year.
Music producer Paul Epworth said the song, which was played during the end credits of movie, was smoothly sung by Adele.
When seen side-by-side with the real Aniston, the museum clearly captured her smirk and delicate features after two past efforts had fallen short.
“I didn’t do that much (working out) because after you have a baby, it’s very difficult to work out and I wouldn’t recommend it,” she said.
The 31-year-old Indo-Canadian adult film star will appear in Ekta Kapoor’s sequel of the 2011 crossover horror movie Ragini MMS.
Pratt added, “Yup, I’ll take it! I like it. Don’t work too hard." Faris also said that she fell for Pratt because they were both small town people.
“If you’re honest you’ll make mistakes but that’s when the most interesting things happen. I used to just stay in my hotel room rather than deal with everything," said Stewart.
characters teaming up with anybody," he added.
has been voted as the 6th Sexiest Asian Man in the world according to the UK-based Eastern Eye’s world-renowned list. The popular household name has received tremendous love from his fans from all over the world.
After five years in acting, would you say you have consolidated your position?
She feels one day one must let go as far as food is concerned. She says, "One fine day I just decided I have to lose weight and I slogged for it. I lost thirteen kilos and now I maintain it by running on the treadmill regularly as well as balancing it with my diet. I eat well, but I eat carefully. I know what you eat is important and what is eating you is equally important. I maintain a positive mental attitude and take care of myself; it works best for me. Self-love is equally important for health. I live life one day at a time". Well Rishika, nice to know the secret of your good health and figure!
highlight of the evening. While he took Mataji (Jayati Bhatia) and Imarti (Hema Singh) on a walk around Aksa beach, he also joined them to do some jhatkas and matkas on the flirtatious yet peppy number. After the dadis of the family, it was the turn for the betas. The handsome hunks, Shiv (Siddharth Shukla) and RK (Vivian Dsena) were wondering what Salman Khan had that they didn’t. However, when the Dabangg star entered, he took charge of the stage and proved to them why he was the Dabaang Khan.
AQUARIUS: This is a strong time for shared enjoyment with family. Tonight, review financial records for forgotten payments. Do watch for ongoing romantic attractions. Avoid acting as a mediator and wait for obvious cues from loved ones.
Tarot message: Trust your heart and intuition. Lucky colour: Yellow. Lucky number: 61
Lucky Numbers: 2, 5, 11, 17, 22.