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Romanticising a notion
Filmy take
Boy woos the girl across the boundaries, across continents...till she gives in. They fight all resistance till they are married and live happily ever after… Boy woos the girl, she refuses. He follows her from dawn till dusk - school/office/market/home - girl desists. Things turn nasty…the girl lives with the physical, emotional and mental trauma forever or even dies. The Delhi incident has jolted the collective conscious of the entire nation. Everything has come under scanner, so has our 'larger-than-life' Bollywood. Very recently, Farhan Akhtar, actor- director, questioned the skewed notion of love on screen. "I am troubled by how a woman is shown to playfully succumb to the constant harassment of a man trying to convince her to accept his proposal of love on screen," he was quoted as saying! How do youngsters perceive romance? Twenty-four-year-old Rubina Singh is as angry as the millions across the nation after the horrific Delhi incident. Betaab was one of her favourite movies while growing up, but watching it again recently made her question it: Amrita Singh overtakes Sunny Deol while driving, who in turn forcibly kisses her. "Many films like Betaab portray that it is all right to be forceful with women. It impacts both the genders; while men take it to be their right, women their providence," says Rubina. Not everyone makes sensible films like Farhan, yet this girl believes that most men would behave at least in Chandigarh if given a proper channel to express themselves. "Men take it as a right to make trouble if refused even if politely. They need to understand that the girl has the right to refuse even if they are good, well-behaved and much more." Films do the most damage, deems Ankita Goel, mother to two teenagers from Sector 34, Chandigarh: "Be it style or sensibility, Bollywood is the inspiration for the teen crowd. Since it has far-reaching influence, we better present a better role model." However, not all agree that screen has a negative influence. While Priyali Bhagat, a sweet sixteen-year-old is head over heels in love with 'Raj' aka Shah Rukh Khan, she totally believes in this mushy notion of love. She cannot fathom the consequences of things gone wrong. "I think a man pursuing a woman through odds is the greatest form of love," says Priyali, whose recent favourite is Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Cinema has always epitomised romance far away from reality. "Real people were not singing Wo chand chupa,wo taare hanse, ye raat ajab matwali hai even back then," says Surbhi Goel, film scholar at the Department of English and Cultural Studies. The solution is not to stop girls from going out or boys to be taught to behave. "It is time that we talk of sexuality, it's the suppression that needs to be addressed," says Surbhi. She warrants that once society has sorted itself, it will get reflected on the screen as well. mona@tribunemail.com
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Up for a cause
If savagery were to seek refuge, it would rush to the nearest brothel; but when poverty struggles to eke out a living, it sells every paradigm of morality. Such is the story of 11-year-old girl Kiku, who was bartered for money and shoved into the ever-growing sex trade. While talking about his upcoming movie Oass, producer Raj Rahi, waxes eloquent on child trafficking, "This is a true story and we all know that truth is stranger than fiction. However, in this case, it's brutal."
As the conversation kicks off, the garish intensity seeps in and Rahi with sheer candidness pulls out his laptop and begins, "I want you to take a look at the promo first." You'd wonder if it's the sincerity of expression or the love for his passion that evokes the apparent confidence, which is masked with a calm exterior. Remain patient till the promo ends and you'll know exactly what he meant. "I know you'd be wondering why I'd choose this topic for a film, but cinema has the ability to influence masses to a degree beyond expression. It can create opinions
and break them too. As a producer, I realise my moral responsibility towards society, thus the topic," he says. Just when you make a futile attempt to recover from the impact generated by the promo, Rahi, who has worked as an executive producer in a number of commercial films, including Jo Bole So Nihaal, Haste Haste, Shut Up and Banana Brothers, explains his shift towards parallel cinema, "Commercial films have all the 'masala' that qualifies for good entertainment. My idea was to bring a human story that has a message to it," he adds, "Abhinav Tiwari, the director, rang me up and narrated the script over the phone. Though I was apprehensive about the issue that the film deals with, I thought that it was worth the risk." Justifying the plot of the story, Rahi shares, "The story deals with the journey of a girl who has been forced into prostitution, her struggle to break free and the brutal torture that she is subjected to every time she attempts to escape." Talking about the cast of the film, he says, "For Kiku's character, we needed someone who could look like a girl between the age group of 11 to 18 for which we
held auditions. Also, the film would feature Jameel Khan, Priyanka Bose, Subrata Datta and Yashpal
Sharma, who have established a strong foothold in Indian cinema." The film aims at hitting the iron when it is hot, as far as the subject of crime against women is concerned, Rahi justifies, "I know that the entire nation is fuming red in rage, especially with the unfortunate Delhi gang-rape case, however, we started shooting for the film last January. The movie will definitely prick the conscience of men in a certain way and I'm hoping that they bring about a change in their feudalistic mindset after watching it."
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Playing the patron
India significantly features in his list of tours, while Chandigarh quite frequently. The 2004 performance at Silk Lounge, last year's visit for his album, Immortal Nusrat and this year to fast track the career of Zora. Nevertheless, the Birmingham based music producer, only lately had his first stint with Indian theatres with the Punjabi flick Tu Mera 22, Mai Tera 22. "It's nothing like in England. People are talking on the phones, whenever a girl appears on screen all the guys whistle. It's fun and different." At Score, as part of the introduction tour of Zora, he speaks of the brand new single, Track. "It's actually an album, the music and songs for which we are still collating. There's no rush and we have finalized only one or two tracks, the rest will be gradually decided."
He's born in Punjab and raised in London and when the like of Dr. Zeus pegs you as the next Lehmber Husainpuri, that's saying something. Laughs Dr. Zeus, "When you hear him sing, you picture a turbaned sardar with traditional gear. He looks nothing like what he sings." Enter Zorawar Singh Randhawa, or Zora, the guy who literally lives on music. Perhaps that explains the association of the two which dates back to 2009. "I met him in 2009 while I was touring in Australia. He came over to my room to hand over a phone and while I was talking, the guy got so comfortable. He took off his shoes and socks and stared lounging." Coming up is a track for Daddy's Cool Munde Fool and a British movie Road with Indian and Pakistani actors. "It's a movie based on drugs and teenagers. I play the lead of a drug dealer. It's a negative role and it's my first." Never mind the trend in Punjabi cinema, Dr. Zeus would rather have several preparatory stints than dive head on. "Acting is something I would like to pursue but as of now, I'd rather practice with a lot of smaller roles. Because dialogue delivery and facing the camera are two different things." He shuttles back to the role he's loved playing for a while now, of a mentor. "Music I have been making throughout. But I get a kick out of making someone's destiny. For instance, Kanika Kapoor has done so well for herself." While he's scouting for talent and launching budding careers, the fans look forward to collaboration with good friend Jazzy B. "The day's not far when we come up with something together. Whenever we do, it'll be a bomb." Do we even doubt that?
manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Layer with care
Ashima Batish
She is one of those few designers who are popular not just for her designs, also for her spirit. Charu Parashar has always worked for the revival of traditional Indian crafts. She began her journey in the fashion industry by popularising block print and continues to work in the same direction. Here, she gives tips on fashion and shares her opinion on the best dressed person in the glamour industry. What's in: Winter is the time to experiment with a lot of accessories. Layer up with capes. It's only in extreme temperatures that hats look good. Have a couple of overcoats in your wardrobe. A pair of knee-length boots is a must have this season. As for formals, stick to graceful zardosi and avoid stones and crystals. Try a kaftan or tunic instead of a gown. It will be informal yet chic. What's out: Dressing up like you do in the summer is out. It's important to pick the right fabric every time you shop. Dull monochromatic colours that are usually suggested for the winter will no longer make you look fashionable. Colour count: Choose a different shade this season. Try indigo blue, emerald green and ivory.
Party couture: A great party pick would be a short metallic shimmer dress. Pair it up with golden stilettos. Nobody can ever go wrong with this combination. Leading in design: I look up to Tom Ford, the man behind the Gucci turn-around. His revolutionary designs introduced a new form of fashion in the industry. Dressed to the nines: Jennifer Lopez has always been my favourite for her dressing sense. Every time she walks the red carpet, she leaves behind a few trends that people love to follow. In India, Deepika Padukone falls in the same league. She knows how to make a fashion statement with her appearance and it's never over the top. She is turning out to be a fashion diva. On fashion industry: In the last five years, the Indian fashion industry has grown by leaps and bounds. The FDCI has extended great support to the fashion designers, especially the younger brigade. But the next five years will decide the fate of the industry. To take it to the next level, a concerted effort from designers and FDCI is required.
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Just keep going
Renee singh
With January coming to a close, we feel that most of us have things under control for the moment. Self motivation and self discipline are high on our list of priorities and we are well on the way to a more satisfactory life. Once we are on the road to a newer and stress free designed lifestyle it is very important that we keep the momentum going. In order to do so, we must follow these: Create a vision When we do so, we rise up to our highest functioning. So it's your primary job to create a vision of who you want to be and then live in that picture. Don't anticipate criticism The worst trap is to worry about what others think of you. Don't always anticipate criticism. Forget about failure Do not anticipate negative things. People tend to get depressed easily if things don't turn their way. It is fear that makes them feel defeated internally. Forget "I'm a failure" phrase. Seize the responsibility It literally means the ability to respond, nothing more and nothing less. Forget words that sound intimidating like obligation, guilt, fault and so on. Be clear about what a level of responsibility stands for and abide by the rules. Stop being right Much stress is caused by our trying to be right all the time. Remember being right is not going to matter in the long run. You can be a happy and relaxed individual even when you are not being always so right by your own standards. Be relaxed and focussed It is very important not to be scattered or distracted. The greatest source of stress is the mind's attempt to carry many thoughts, many tasks and many scenarios, many worries and concerns as well. The mind is best at handling one thing at a time. Therefore choose what your most important priority and allow your mind to focus and achieve it. That will alleviate a lot of unnecessary stress. It will also give a sense of achievement and success. Self-discipline matters In order that at every step we remain centred on reaching our goals we need to maintain a level of self discipline. This is like a language we must learn. Just as we learn a language like German or French and master it, we need to master our negative thoughts and fears and learn to remain calm, fearless and de stressed. Stop living in limitation People tend to limit themselves. They put false barriers and struggle all the time with imaginary problems. Everyone has the capacity to accomplish more than he thinks he can. (Singh is a Chandigarh based psychotherapist)
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Smart cookie
Ranjan Dibya
Ordinary cookies now spiced up with the healthy oats. It's full of crunchiness and so easy to make! White oat cookies Ingredients 200 gm butter 200 gm caster sugar 2 eggs 100 gm white oats 265 gm refined flour 4 gm baking powder Method
(Dibya is a visiting Goan chef) — As told to Poonam Bindra
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Serious about comedy
Here comes another comedy…yes, in Punjabi, and in Hindi. Production No 1 is the tentative title of the film that Ravinder Prashar is helming. A situational comedy, inspired from Ben Jonson's comedy of humour, it aims to give a new dimension to Punjabi cinema. Its producer-director-music composer, Ravinder Prashar held auditions for the same on Sunday, in Chandigarh and has not gone disappointed.
"The response is better than I had expected," says Ravinder, who got young boys and girls from as far as Nainital for the auditions. Banking on a new cast? "Well, we will have a celebrity making a guest appearance in the film but for the rest we will have freshers who will be trained by Morph Academy."As the title awaits clearance, Ravinder with his team has big plans for the first film. They are looking forward to release it in Punjabi in the state and across India in Hindi. Also a Bolly flick is next on the cards. "You know Bollywood is ruled by Punjabis from KL Saigal's times which dates back to 1930s. Why can't we better cinema in our own language," asks Ravinder, who dreams of taking Punjabi cinema ahead of the South film industry. Times have changed ever since Ravinder started assisting Mahesh Bhatt in 1997. Compared to those times, when there was no training available, today's youth can get training from the very best. "I earned the knowledge by watching movies and then as an assistant director to Mahesh Bhatt," says Ravinder. It's not a hit that he is aiming at but a good movie, a terrific situational comedy that has the flavour of Ben Jonson! mona@tribunemail.com
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Silk route
Silk Mark Expo-2013 brings the finest of the silk to Chandigarh. Silk is loved the world over by all civilisations from time immemorial for its beauty, elegance and exquisiteness.
This classical fibre has been facing unfair competition from cheap manmade substitutes by passing them on to consumers as pure silk. Silk Mark is the only answer to this persistent menace haunting the consumers for a hassle free shopping. Silk Mark Expo's have proved a powerful tool in the promotion of Silk Mark. The Chandigarh Expo is on till January 29 at Kisan Bhawan -35, showcasing the entire range of pure silk products. — TNS
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Age is just a number: Jennifer
Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez says she does not give much importance to getting older and age is just a number for her. "I feel youthful and in a sense almost timeless. In fact, I don't even think of myself in terms of age. I think of myself, the way I feel — and that is very healthy and agile and fit. The 43-year-old, who is the mother of four-year-old twins Max and Emme, also said work and other commitments have not affected her energy levels, reported a publication. "I just toured the world and was singing and dancing every single night. I didn't feel like I was any less than when I was 28 or 25. If anything, I think I am better at it now," she added. Lopez is currently dating 25-year-old Casper Smart. — PTI
I don't have a type: Taylor Swift Singer Taylor Swift says she does not have a specific type of man to date. Swift, 23, who has dated a host of celebrities including Jake Gyllenhaal, Joe Jonas, Harry Styles and John Mayer, says she does not know what attracts her to certain men, reported a publication. "I don't really think too hard about what people think or why you should like someone. I think in 20s we're just like, 'Oh, I'll try hanging out with him' or 'I'll try being single'. You're kind of all over the place. We're crazy. We're in our 20s," she said. The singer also said that she wrote the song We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, which is widely believed to be about her relationship with Gyllenhaal, to remind herself not to take him back. "Once a relationship's done, it's done. I think that (We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together) kind of says it. Maybe I wrote that song so I would never get back in that relationship.”
— PTI
Better late than never
John Abraham, who was recently seen in Race 2, speaks of how fame came to him much later. "Fame came to me much later. I have been in the industry for the past 10 years and you can say that it is only now that I am being talked about for my films. I got a different treatment because I entered the industry as a model," John said.
The New York star said his good looks helped him garner a large fan base but it was much later that he was offered performance oriented roles. "I knew from the beginning that there will be a lot more emphasis on my body and looks than anything else. But, that was fine for me.
— PTI
Taking it easy
Twilight star Kristen Stewart has started to accept life as it comes and says she is not afraid of anything now. The 22-year-old, who made headlines after being caught cheating on her boyfriend Robert Pattinson with married director Rupert Sanders, said she knows she cannot shut herself away from the world and so has learnt to deal with situations, reported a publication.
"I have realised that you can close yourself off to life if you put walls up, but it's a difficult thing. You can't see over people, can't see in and you also can't see out. So I have gotten quite comfortable with being unafraid.
— PTI
Is Bieber's new song for Selena Gomez?
Yellow Raincoat, one of the new tracks included in Justin Bieber's upcoming album Believe Acoustic, is said to be for his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez. The song, which released online before the target date of January 29, talks about a turbulent relationship, reported a website.
The lyrics go, "Cause the fame, and the money, and the girl will drive you crazy/Just put on... Guess I'll put on my raincoat."
— PTI
The flip side
Actress Drew Barrymore says she has turned to her Godfather Steven Spielberg for advice on how to protect her baby daughter from the paparazzi after crying over the invasion of privacy for two months.
The Charlie's Angels star, who grew up in the spotlight after making her movie debut in Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial when she was only seven, has grown more determined to shield her tot from the intense spotlight she endured as a kid, reported a website. "(I've been) crying for two months about having to take my daughter outside into this very tumultuous world that has no protection for people. I agree with other countries when they won't allow the kids to be photographed. "I think there has to be a limit and we teach our children boundaries, and yet the world doesn't have any boundaries to our children and that is an anomaly that I do not support," she said. Barrymore, 37, said that she turned to the legendary filmmaker for guidance on how to handle the shutterbugs, who have no qualms about snapping pictures of her child. "They make so much money, it's crazy, it's like going against the most evil force that you'll never win against. But maybe there's something we can do. I need to look deeper into it... Unless I was to move underground with no windows, there's no way to avoid this, so I thought about the people that I look up to..."
— PTI
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Astro turf
ARIES: You will enjoy physical intimacy now as opposed to staring romantically into your partners eyes over a candlelit dinner. Domestic compulsions will make your life uneasy. Tarot message: You need to cultivate understanding and humility. TAURUS: Social events will bring positive stimulus. A trip out of town is on the cards. Expecting mothers are assured safe delivery. Those in love will have an exciting day. Look for the answers to your dilemmas within you. Tarot message: Resolve conflicts through discussion. GEMINI: Control jealousy and possessiveness. This is a perfect time to start practicing independence and letting go. Circumstances take a turn in your favour. Tarot message: Keep a close watch on any niggling health problems. CANCER: Think twice before you start spending your cash on a whim. You may meet an interesting person today. Love stars twinkle for teenagers. Efforts bear fruit. An Aquarian friend is supportive. LEO: You need to honour yourself first. An opportunity to work unsupervised will enhance your performance and lead to promotion. Family outing brings surprise. Stay clear from sycophants. Tarot message: Impatience will lead to failure VIRGO: Be willing to change your behaviour. If you think positive, you will finish the day with a smile on your face. Emotionally, you may feel insecure. Romance will boost your spirits. Avoid over eating. LIBRA: Inspiration stimulates your brain today. Love life sparkles and health is fine. If you have been thinking of buying a pet, this is a favourable day. Expect excellent news concerning finance. SCORPIO: Internet dating might be the way to go. Just remember that people may not be everything they say they are. You will be in a mood to find faults in the people who are dear to you; curb this habit. Tarot message: A positive and caring attitude heals old wounds. Lucky colour: Grey SAGITTARIUS: No matter how much you love your partner, do not compromise on things that are important to you. Teamwork is the key note for the day. Domestic life will be pleasant. Tarot message: Do what is right and watch your best interests. CAPRICORN: You could stand to make quite a decent profit in the long run. Relatives will be sensitive and difficult to get along with. Do not invest in land deal. Exchange of ideas with someone who means much to you is on the cards. AQUARIUS: Gossip at workplace can cause unexpected problems. If you work in an area where there are language barriers, be extra careful of misunderstandings. Health area can be problematic. PISCES: Think wisely before you spend cash. Politicians draw flak. Do not avoid responsibility. Keep travel plans off. Romantic life takes an upswing. Children will be a source of happiness. |
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Chatter box
Tusshar Kapoor, who debuts on TV with comedy show Nautanki, feels though he has done dramatic roles, it is the comic ones that got him most fame. Tusshar loves slapstick comedies and feels such shows are needed in today's stressful times. Being a part of TV, he adds, is a great experience as one gets to connect with the audience.
Makeover time
Life OK's cop drama Shapath will soon go for a makeover. It will re-launch on February 23 as Shapath - The Undercover Cops. The show is being revamped to present grand stories with better production values to the audiences. Ali Mercchant will play a double role in few episodes which will be shot in Gujarat. Hope the new version of the show will be liked as much by people.
Twist in the story
Good looking actor, Akshay Dogra, has entered Zee TV's Punarvivaah as a driver to the Scindia household, and is set to bring in the new twist. And his sudden emergence as the new driver for the family will strangely coincide with the kidnapping of Yash (Gurmeet Chaudhary) and Aarti's (Kratika Sengar) son Ansh. Viewers will be left wondering as to what his connection is with the disappearance of Ansh. In the meanwhile, Akshay Dogra is gung-ho about his new role. He said, "I am extremely happy to be working with Shashi Mittal and Zee TV. It is a parallel track to the male lead of the show Gurmeet Chaudhry. I have a lot of regard for him. There are several mysterious dimensions to this role. It has shades of grey. The dark secrets and his ulterior motives will unravel over a period of time. Currently, Yash and Aarti are battling with the disappearance of their son Ansh following Yash's nasty battle with Prashant which results in the latter's death. Prashant had kidnapped Ansh before his death. But clearly, someone else has stepped into Prashant's shoes and is continuing to hold Ansh hostage. Could it be this new driver in the family? Or someone from the Scindia family who has partnered with the driver to kidnap
Ansh?
Family issues
Ekta Kaul aka Sahiba of Rab Se Sohna Isshq apparently was seen crying on the sets of her show as she had some family problems that needed to be taken care of. She then asked for leave and the makers gave her the same dates that the lead Ashish Sharma has taken for his marriage.
In the same league
After the success of many crime shows on TV like Crime Patrol, Savdhaan India, Gumrah and Shaitaan, Zee TV is also working on a new show based on crime. Buzz is it will be called Taxi Cab Diaries and will air in March. Instead of one host there will be five actors who will solve crimes cases in various episodes. Srman Jain has been signed as one of them.
Stating the facts
Food for thought
The channel, Foodfood has launched a new show Maa Ki Dal. The show is hosted by the entertaining Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi. In this show, Chef Harpal showcases a unique recipe cooked with Dal. Maa ki Dal is an emotional show about the food a mother cooks for her children. In every episode, he also cooks a special dish for every mother. Commenting on the new show, Sanjeev Kapoor, promoter of the channel said, "All mothers loves to cook for their children. Keeping our promise of providing food entertainment, the show also showcases Chef Harpal's outdoor visits to various farms and markets." Celebrity Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi is also the host of the show Turban Tadka.
More to come
Channel [V]'s show The Serial has got a good reception which is why now the channel has given it an extension of 12 more episodes to be aired over a month. The serial showcased the real lives of Karan Kundra, Pooja Gor and Raj Singh Arora among others.
Change for the good
Mohit Sehgal feels the poor ratings of Khamoshiyaan might be due to the fact that the audiences didn't approve of the heavy duty drama on the show. And also the romance between Sid (Mohit) and Gauri (Mrunal Thakur) were not focused on. Now with the changed track Mohit promises fans lots of romance and cute moments on the show. |
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The year ahead
If your birthday is January 28...
You have to be a little more diligent. Every field of your life is demanding more attention and efforts. Be attentive and observe every situation seriously before acting on any issue. Your words will be taken in the wrong sense by your family members. Your working partners will disappoint you with their negative attitude towards work. You might even break up some of your partnerships for better results. Inconsistency in finance will keep you worried for a longer duration of time. Sources of income will reduce and you will strive for financial improvement. The year 2013 doesn't seem to be fair to the students. They will keep on trying their best but will not get fruitful results. The people who are looking for a job need to be very careful as they might trust a fraud company. Your reputation suffers because of your recent actions. You should be willing to take a risk about something that moves you emotionally or spiritually. On the professional front, you should consider not to invest further in projects that are showing a decline. If your investments do not indicate the expected returns, then you may consider abandoning the project otherwise there are chances of losing the principal amount. An unexpected event could make you late for an appointment and then you'll have to hurry. A positive year for self-employed people. You'll be able to make great investments and increase your earnings. Some unavoidable circumstances may delay your accomplishing the household chores. This may result in rescheduling some engagements and may require telephoning or sending the necessary messages. It is advisable for you to keep on working hard to fetch good results. A good growth is seen at work too. But, you might have to face difficult situations and troubles at work. You might also get into controversies with your seniors. Your harsh words might become the reason of your tarnished image and ruined relationships. You need to keep a control over your tone and words otherwise you will have to experience some serious troubles at home. Overall, 2013 is going to be a great year for you . Mood: Sometimes pushing too hard. Compatible signs: Pisces, Gemini, Leo. Lucky colours: Electric blue , White. Lucky days: Friday. Lucky numbers: 11, 15, 18, 30, 38
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Real take
Mix butter into a fine fluffy consistency. 
Shruti Haasan (January 28, 1986, Chennai) is singer turned actress. Her parents are the noted actors, Kamal Haasan and Sarika. She sang her first song in her father's Thevar Magan and later made her singing debut in the Hindi language film, Chachi 420. She was later seen in the film, Luck, which bombed at the Box office.