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Make a wish!
It starts building a week or probably a month in advance. A new microwave, i-Phone 5, top-end watch, a solitaire or even a Harley Davidson…the wish-list for Santa Claus can go from the indulgent, expensive affair to something as lovely as a long vacation!
Santa sure needs to start working early this Christmas. So if you haven't made a wish do that now; scribble it on a piece of paper and tuck it under the pillow, it sure will be granted! Just a word of caution, make sure you know what you are wishing for. Popular faces of Chandigarh sure know what they want. jasmine@tribunemail.com
Musical note
No kidding
Healthy thought
Safety first
Holiday fun
Peaceful affair |
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Bandwidth
Love for music has brought seven members with eclectic tastes together to form Ehsaas - a rock Sufi band based in Delhi. And the versatile band is all for live shows. In Chandigarh on Saturday for a cultural evening for St Johns Old Boys Association' three-day Winter Fest, the members of the band claimed Chandigarh as their second home because of the number of shows they get to do here. Suryaveer Hooja, who enjoyed a solo career for eight years, thought of the band as it was getting monotonous for him. Having connected to the like-minded Waseem Ahmed and Sunil, Ehsaas came into the fold only a year back. Since then they have done some 100 shows in different parts of the country and the response is rousing. Contemporary Sufi is what they play. "It's important to catch the pulse of the crowd. It comes with experience," says Suryaveer. He adds, "It does get difficult though when they demand Chammak Challo." The band is open to playing Kishore Kumar songs to those of the movie Rock On but insists on doing it in their 'flavour'. In fact, Suryaveer already has two remix albums to his credit - Chase the Passion 1 and 2. Original or remix? "There are some old melodies that we want to render in our style." Happy they are with today's scenario, as there is more demand for shows. "Facebook has some one billion users, so has Youtube. Reaching out to people was never so easy," says Waseem. Internet taking music to places has its own downfall, but this band is looking for pluses…looking forward to collaborations with artistes from different genres and places. mona@tribunemail.com
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Christmas craze
Notwithstanding the weekday, Christmas parties at various venues are set to rock… Manpriya Singh
Would the day spoil the date? Would Tuesday water down the Christmas fever? While various clothing lines are all set to dress you up, years after passing out of schools, do we still take our Christmas seriously? Take a look at what's happening where this Christmas and whether it still remains an overshadowed cousin of New Year's Eve. Or is it the perfect warm up to the ultimate party at the end of the year? Party beckons At Ten Downing Street, Hotel Altius, there will be a dress code comprising two official colours apart from the décor et al. Laughs DJ Sameer, who's all set to spin on the Eve, "This is not for the first time that a Christmas is falling on a working day. Be it Valentine's or Christmas, a Tuesday or a Thursday, Chandigarh crowd needs a reason to party." With that spirit, do they even need a reason? It's an occasion for all ages, which explains the omnipresent décor at all the show windows. We may never see snowfall, but the city is submerged in cotton flakes! Says DJ Chi, freelance DJ with a Chandigarh-based event management firm, "It's the Christmas dressing that's more popular than the parties." Food fun Park Plaza, Chandigarh, is all set to roll a special dinner on the Eve at Cinnamon, comprising roast turkey, mince pies and pudding. "There will be a special buffet, on the Christmas Eve, at our fine-dining restaurant, Pewter Room. At Blue Blazer, there will be a normal party," says Rakesh, the butler. The Great Kebab Factory, too, is all set to make your Eve by introducing different kebabs. Classic carols At Tao Bar and Lounge, there will be Russian freestyle dancers regaling the crowds on Monday night. "Apart from that, our in-house DJ will be belting out some remixed carols and there will be a New Year's pass for the best couple," shares the manager Aditya Kumar Sharma. Nobody's denying the power of a Saturday or the fact that a Tuesday will play a mild spoilsport, but only a mild one. Chandigarh just about needs a reason to party!
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Celebrating nature
The introduction of abstraction into the world of art, no doubt has challenged the intellect, but it’s taken away the joy of a beauty. The canvas that was once spectacular and breathtaking — autumn leaves, changing patterns of floating clouds, beauty of morning due, winter fog, restless waves on seashores. It’s a fresh and a beautiful world where nature remains the ultimate inspiration, for artists all the more. Divine Reflection, an art exhibition by Kadamb Art, at Hotel Acquamarine, stands true to its name and sticks to nature. Shares Neenu Vij, the curator, “While abstract art is challenging for the intellect but you don’t want to look at it all the time or think about it. So we thought of coming up with an exhibition celebrating landscape art.” There are 16 paintings by eight participating artists, some being city based, while others from Noida, Hoshiarpur and Patiala. She adds, “It is so fresh and beautiful to look at. It’s just like ‘a thing of beauty is a joy forever’. While curating this show, I wanted only one subject but a variety of styles within that subject. Hence, you’ll see landscape paintings in oil colours, water colours and with three dimensional effects.”
There are Bheem Malhotra’s backwaters in red and black, there’s Pramod Arya’s abstract with a touch of realism…Moving on there are snowscapes, mountains, beauty of winters, trees, huts; all depicting the myriad hues of nature. One acrylic on canvas says it all with just the colours that stand for nature, blue for the sky above and green for the earth beneath. Yet another canvas shows dots joining to form trees and dense forests. Shares Neenu Vij, “We haven’t given the captions because it is all self explanatory. Moreover, we didn’t want to restrict the perception of viewers.” She adds, “Coming up is a show on animals and birds. I want to pick up a subject and show how that has been treated by the artists in different ways.” manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Larger than life
Big hits I have to admit that I love doing the larger-than-life movies I have done Dabangg movies, Son of Sardaar and Rowdy Rathore. Who does not want to be part of big films that are guaranteed hits especially at such an early stage in their careers? But with Lootera, people will see that I can do something drastically different as well. Dabangg 2 I am very happy and thankful to get the second film as well. I think Chulbul and Rajjo compliment each other and their romance works. She is not called his better half for nothing. Chulbul is incomplete without Rajjo and so is she. The story has been taken forward from the first and in it something happens to Rajjo that becomes the turning point in the film. Dabangg-2 has tapped into the happy phase of marriage and I think it’s very cute. Formula films I watch a film like an audience and come home and talk about it. Similarly I listen to a script like an audience would, so far it has been good. I want to have fun on the sets and entertain people. I love dancing and acting and my films give me an opportunity to do that. I also like being in the public eye because visibility is important, especially when you are new. Movies are about entertainment at the end of the day! Weight issues I have really no problem with what people are saying or writing about my weight. It works in my favour and the movies I am doing at the moment. Because I need a full figure to look good in sarees and Indian wear. I am comfortable in my skin and I feel good, healthy and strong. Popular streak We did not expect the dialogues of Dabangg to become such a big hit, especially my dialogues. There are some things that just click like dialogues and songs and you cannot even predict it. I am lucky to work with people who have their finger on the pulse of the market.
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Fight for spotlight
Maryam Zakaria, one of the leads of Grand Masti, was all set to set the stage on fire along with Shakti Mohan and Mumaith Khan. But all didn't fall in place and the fight for the centrestage started where Maryam was placed there.
Sources said that Maryam was finalised for the centrestage but seems like this didn't go down well with the counterparts and unfortunately a replacement was made.
Claudia and Scarlet were roped in last minute and they being thorough professionals carried the act to the tee along with Maryam.
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Ekta gets even stricter!
The proliferation of social media where such news travels at alarming pace is a huge concern.
Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures, co-producing the keenly awaited thriller Ek Thi Daayan with Vishal Bhardwaj, has bound its actors and key technicians and heads of departments by strong confidentiality clauses in their agreements.
They are forbidden from sharing or divulging any information to do with the film's twists and turns and particularly its climax.
The film’s official spokesperson confirmed it. Ek Thi Daayan, starring Emraan Hashmi in the lead, releases worldwide on April 18, 2013.
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Amy loves Yoga
Why yoga Yoga has helped me make my body supple and it helps me dance on the sets. I feel energised and flexible. I do yoga in the morning. I alternate between running, freestyle exercises and yoga in the mornings and exercise for 45 minutes every day. I like doing stuff I enjoy as that motivates me to work out. I live near Mount Mary Church in Bandra so I can run at Band Stand, Carter Road and Joggers' Park and I love it! Body type I am 5'7" and I weight 51 kilos. I am lean. I work out 3-5 times a week. Some people work out twice a day while others work out thrice a week. So your body type and stamina dictates what your limits are and accordingly you work around them. You must not push yourself too much as it can cause injuries and more harm than good. Food wise I eat everything but in small proportions. I drink hot milk before I sleep in the night. I keep a tab on my carbohydrates intake. Throughout the day, my meals comprise of brown pasta, soups, salads, grilled vegetables, fruits, nuts, chapati-sabzi or sandwiches, I eat chocolate bars almost everyday with biscuits and nuts.
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Kareena for Salman
Imran’s Playboy stint
Imran Khan is the quintessential good boy, loyal to his wife but he played sport and attended the bash of the opening of the first Playboy Club in India in Mumbai. It was a fun affair. The brand has changed several aspects to cater to the Indian market.
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Arbaaz Khan is a happy man!
Relieved finally I am genuinely feeling relieved because of the good collections. I was aware of the cynicism and I know people did not expect me to deliver but I am happy and grateful that I managed by trusting my instincts. I am glad people have liked it. If people would have pulled it down, I would have nowhere to run. I am happy and free now! Second plan We did not develop the sequel when we were making the first one. We conceptualised and executed everything to begin with. We knew what we wanted to create and it happened smoothly. There has been no ambiguity, script revision, or creative differences. Money matters Money follows a successful film and brand. I was handling brand Salman Khan and brand Dabangg simultaneously and that put me under pressure because it is not easy and there are many expectations to meet. I focussed on pleasing Salman Khan's and fans and I am happy to have achieved that. Dabangg 3 That is definitely on and we will plan it. Right now, I want to take a break and maybe do a movie in between. It will be another year before we begin the next movie in the franchise. NYE plans We are holidaying in Dubai for the New Year's. We have so much to celebrate this year. God has been kind and so have the audiences and fans!
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Something Special
It is based on a real-life jewellery store robbery and the promos are capturing a lot of attention. The film has an impressive cast, including Jimmy Shergill, Anupam Kher and others.
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Im-posters of B-town
The poster sees a women’s seductive red lips, thorns and blood and a tagline that reads: This Valentine…Love Will Be Murdered.
It looks quite similar to the poster of popular American series True Blood. It also resembles 2009 Hollywood film Jennifer’s Body.
There have been earlier instances when Indian filmmakers have been accused of copying posters from famous Hollywood films. The Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara poster was said to have been copied from Lords of Dogtown, RA.One from Batman Begins, Kites from The Notebook, Anjaana Anjaani from An Education, Mausam from The Titanic, Phoonk 2 from Chaser and Heroine from Mariah Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi music album cover.
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There is one thing that I have been wishing for a long time; I want to take a bus ride with my friends and visit a gurdwara. My fans and people around have made me a celebrity, but I wish I remain grounded, make some nice and very basic music like the one in my recent album Attey di
Chidi.
The Delhi rape incident has shaken the country; I wish each one of us realises our responsibilities, so that we can celebrate all festivals with a pure heart. I wish that I can spend more time with my kids; this year again I wouldn't be home, so I want to wish all the joy for them. On the wishlist is happiness for my family.
It has been a great year with lots of wishes coming true. I wish it continues next year as well. Topping my wish-list is good health for my kids, family as well as near and dear ones. Nothing is more important than a healthy body and mind. Loads of prosperity is something I would wish for too.
When my kids were small, they would often ask what I wished for on my birthday and I would say - I don't want gifts, I want good behaviour instead. I wish the same from our men-folk. One often wishes for happiness and freedom from disease, but this time we all wish this country is a safe place to live. The Delhi incident has driven everything else from our minds. What is the use of festivity when basic human nature is violent and greedy?
I wish peace, law and order for my district. Other than this of course, I wish for good health and prosperity for my kids as well as family. Whenever I get a chance, I go on a vacation but only if things are fine back in the district. There is no point in taking a break if my mind is in office even on a holiday!
Peaceful co-existence is something that I really wish for. Each one of us is living on the edge these days, so in this scenario one wishes peace and some quiet space. A vacation in Bahamas is something more on the list as well. Hope it will come true !
Sonakshi Sinha is not bothered by her weight and she loves her success streak. She talks about handling fame, movies and more.
One of the entertainment awards recently not only witnessed a flurry of A-list actors but also saw some ego clashes.
To combat the repercussions of leak of suspense films, producers are getting increasingly strict and alert.
Amy Jackson was introduced to yoga when she came to Mumbai. She loves horse riding but cannot do it in Mumbai. She talks about diet and fitness.
Kareena Kapoor Khan did not want to do her Fevicol se item dance at a recent awards show of a television channel but she agreed when Salman Khan intervened. She took a pay cut and the performance has already been recorded and will be aired on New Year's Eve.
Dabangg 2 has released and it is a success at the box office with impressive collections and reviews that even call it better than the first one. Arbaaz Khan, who acted in, directed and produced the film is a happy and relieved man now and is grateful to be accepted as a director. He talks about the movie and more.
Akshay Kumar stars in Special Chhabis, directed by Neeraj Pandey and the film will release on February 8.
If openly copying films was not enough, filmmakers these days are even copying their films' posters from somewhere else. The first look poster of Murder 3 is out and it appears that the poster may not be an original but 'inspired'.
Both the movies also had a similar poster with a hint of fangs peeking from half-opened lips. Directed by Vishesh Bhatt and produced by Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt, Murder 3 is a sequel to 2011 thriller Murder 2. The film stars Randeep Hooda and Aditi Rao Hydari in the lead roles.