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Love notes
Different is the first word that comes to mind even as one mentions singer Mohit Chauhan’s name. In Chandigarh, he lives up to each letter of the word…
Everything is in place, the words cascading down like they have to, pauses wherever necessary… everything is in place, except for that ‘in-my-own-world look’ on singer Mohit Chauhan’s face. Sitting at JW Marriott, Chandigarh, dressed in black, a baseball cap on that long rockstar hair…everything is in place except for Mohit Chauhan the bard, the shepherd, the loner, the swashbuckler…. So, will the real Mohit Chauhan please stand up! He laughs. This laughter is nothing like his songs - soothing, mellifluous. It is childlike, the one that comes while we are buying time before any confession. “I haven’t changed, not even a bit. I still long for quiet places, looking at clouds passing by; I long to be home, just home.” Even before he finishes, the singer with a silken thread voice adds almost immediately, “Even when I want to do this so much, I can’t. People come by for work, I have to meet them, travel; shows, recordings…the position that I am in, I can’t be just quiet,” he says. “But I am still the same,” a reassuring sentence for him, and for us. The search for a silent space is on, till that it is work, accolades, awards and far too many questions that Mohit has to deal with. This is his first live show at Baddi University after winning the Filmfare Best Male Playback Singer Award. “I love to be in this part of the country, Himachal, I love everything about this place,” he adds. Love, the word lingers and we finally make use of it in a question. The reply comes instantly, “I have sung all kinds of songs; largely romantic, but then there is a Saada haq, Khoon Chala or Masakali…the peppy fun number. I am not an actor, I don’t fear being stereotyped. I love whatever I do.” Who says following your heart’s calling is easy? “Indeed it is. Whenever I am called to record a song, I wonder what new will I bring in. This is where flexibility as a singer comes in. I don’t try hard to be different, it just comes.” Neither are shepherds learned musicians nor folk singers. The difference doesn’t come with learning. Mohit smiles; he finds close connection with the word shepherd, in fact he would have been this had he not been a singer. “It is good to have knowledge of the art, music doesn’t come through learning. The folk singers don’t go for formal training and then return to their village to sing.” Music comes from the heart and his songs Tum ho, Aala barfi shake the strings of everyone’s heart. “It is a challenge to sing a film song in two hours and get that kind of deep impact. I enjoy the process like I enjoy working on my independent album. Both the processes are creatively satisfying.” Mohit has started working on his solo album after Fitoor and he has already recorded some songs. Limelight…a celebrity can’t escape the sharp lights, no matter how aloof one wants to be. Winner stands alone? “Yes,” he pauses to say. Nevertheless, he is still a winner, one who is approached not only to sing but act as well, one who is the brand ambassador of World Voice Champion that promotes singing in schools, and the one whom we want to give one more romantic track! jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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Social screen
Filmmakers Nandan Saxena and Kavita Bahl left the field of journalism to follow their heart’s calling. And their creativity is more than visible in each of the films made by them…
These two filmmakers aspire to lend a voice to people who have been neglected by the society. Their film Cotton for My Shroud is based on suicides by cotton farmers in Vidarbha and it won the Rajat Kamal for Best Investigative Film of year 2011. They would be in Chandigarh with their films for ‘Event Sunday with Filmmaker’ organised by Chandigarh Creative Cinema
Circle.
Starting as journalists, Nandan and Kavita worked in the field for seven years only to realise that it did not give them the liberty to follow their heart. They took to independent filmmaking and are a happy lot ever since. “It is challenging; funding is scarce but we are positive, confident people who are living our dream,” says Nandan. As many as forty films that they have already worked on raise issues of water, forests, gender, science and technology et al, and for them cinema is an extension of literature. “We all have become islands in ourselves. We strongly feel that there should be a medium that binds us as a society and films are one such medium,” says Kavita. Having learnt the nuances and technicalities while on the job, their aim is to make - ‘logon ki kahani, kahani ki tarah’. While Kavita leads in research, they work together on scripting and filming. With little or no funding coming their way, it’s their first film that paved the way for another and so began the journey. While their current project is a film based in Lahaul Spiti, they are also exploring varied issues that plague Punjab. “We restrict ourselves to three to four films in a year, which is a must if you want to maintain quality,” says Nandan. They follow the call of subjects that pull them and they go without any agenda or prejudice. “When we went to Vidarbha, we first made ourselves accessible to farmers who have been weary of the media and literally lived the pain of their circumstances,” they echo. Another film, Hollow Cylinder, brings to light the fact how we as a country that grows 25 per cent of bamboo have not been able to tap the potential of this wondrous material. “Taiwan and China have used bamboo to make wall claddings, floor tiles and what not. And we in India, who have the skill to work on it, have still stayed on making mats, ladders and fans,” rues Nandan, who insists that a little change in government policy can do wonders for the regions that abound in bamboo. mona@tribunemail.com
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Bling factor
Designer World 2013, a lifestyle exhibition, offers from clothes to accessories to fabric to shoes...
Like with all exhibitions, we cut across the crowds and the clutter of 55 stalls, to bring in the unusual and the promising. Just as you enter, there are women jostling for space, tripping on one toe while trying to get the shoe size right at Shee-Shoo. The flat price of Rs 900 helps further. Moving on, there’s a deluge of labels from Mumbai, Lucknow, Bangalore, with most from the Capital and two from Chandigarh. Shares Aditi, the director, marketing, “The USP of this exhibition is that it has all original labels and works of the designers.” While some of the works could pass off as those from four seasons ago, others promise glamour to full swing. There are assorted items under the label Mishique by Anmol Singh that caters to those completely in love with bling. Shares Anmol, “Be it garments, jewellery or bags, I’ve handpicked all the items to cater to people who have certain tastes.” Delhi-based Innaya by Neha Ahuja promises scarves with brooches and jewellery that’s as glittering as they come. Shares Neha, “We use Swarvoski crystals for all our jewellery.” Something for summers
Those looking for something apt for the summer, there’s Dimple Creations from Lucknow with its exclusive chikan suits, chickan anarkalis and bed covers. In between, there’s a heavy overdose of assorted labels fitting it all, footwear, bags, scarves. Delhi-based Ruzhan promises Pakistani concepts in the form of suits, fabrics and prints and silhouettes. Bodhi Tree from Jaipur adds to yet another option. Shares the lady across the counter, “We keep coming to the city for exhibitions. We have a select and good clientele here, so we come every four months through exhibitions.” While city-based labels are few and far between, there’s Aalna by Mithi Brar with its variety of formals and semi-formals. Those looking for flowing kaftans can head to yet another city-based Hinna K Anand, that brings in formals, semi-formals and casuals. Looking to get lost in colours, pick and choose or just window shop? Exhibitions are welcome! On at Hotel Taj—17, till March 31. manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Astro turf
ARIES: Disappointed? Do not lose hope. Your lucky break is just around the corner. Try to increase your knowledge in new areas. Health will need more care in
the evening.
Tarot message: Lack of caution can leave you in losses. Lucky colour: Coffee. Magic number: 28 TAURUS: Take criticism constructively and accept praise graciously. Make the most of this low-key day because there is plenty of work in store tomorrow. Keep your finances in order. Tarot message: Don't make take hasty decisions. Lucky colour: Burgundy. Magic number: 61 GEMINI: Your courteous behaviour and sentiments help your love life. Do not stress yourself too much. Help will be available without too much trouble. Tarot message: Don’t waste an opportunity by being rash or impulsive. Lucky colour: Brown. Magic number: 33 CANCER: You will find exactly what you have been hoping for
as your dream job. Arguments at home are likely to hit the roof. Career women will be in
the limelight. Tarot message: Learn from past experience. Lucky colour: Beige. Magic number: 28 LEO: If you have been
feeling stressed, arrange an outing with your partner. Do not initiate any new assignments. Loved ones are unlikely to make special demands. You will only get what you pay for.
Tarot message: Be tactful. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 65 VIRGO: Show your love to close ones through practical action rather than empty promises. Family members will require your assistance. Not a day to begin a new relationship. The day will end on fairly optimistic note. Tarot message: Dare to accomplish complicated tasks. Lucky colour: Yellow. Magic number: 27
LIBRA: You will be feeling competent to deal with work that requires creativity. Employment activities are lucrative. Your hardwork will be noticed. Subordinates will be source of worry. Tarot message: Don’t do anything at the cost of health. Lucky colour: Green. Magic number: 39 SCORPIO: You are in a cheerful mood today. Decisions will involve a journey overseas, a formal educational course or joining a religious community. Take care of your health. Tarot message: Consider compromising to a certain extent to achieve your goals. Lucky colour: Red. Magic number: 25 SAGITTARIUS: Keep a firm check on your finances. You will plan a profitable business trip. Those interested in modelling will get a suitable break. Perhaps, doing your own thing is wiser. Tarot message: Stay confident towards your plan of action. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 44 CAPRICORN: Household expenses and mortgage seems to be pretty well covered as of now. Do not take an impulsive decision. Youngsters will lead a hectic social life. Mind your health. Tarot message: Taking timely action will prevent a lot of trouble. Lucky colour: Black. Magic number: 55 AQUARIUS: Investments are highlighted. Finances need to be controlled. Family will be supportive. Do not overstress yourself or neglect your health
for work. Tarot message: Be positive and think carefully before taking action. Lucky colour: Purple. Magic number: 64 PISCES: Make the most of this day. Do not lose interest in career ambitions; stay focused as your hardwork will soon be rewarded. You will feel free from any pressure or stress. Tarot message: Do not swing away from the course you have charted so far. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 46
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The year ahead
If your birthday is March 31...
Your birthday on March 31 adds a degree of emotion, sensitivity and intuition to your character. The energy will allow you to make friends easily and quickly. You have a warm-hearted nature and emotional understanding that constantly seeks affection. You are very prone to becoming depressed and moody, as emotions will turn inward and cause anxiety. It will be hard for you to bounce back to reality when depression sets in. Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus, you are trustworthy, energetic, systematic, reliable and a noble person. You are physically very active and enjoy participating in sports as well as social get-togethers. Try not to compromise all the effort you've made until now. Don't be stingy when it is time to give. What goes around comes around! Blessings from a mature person will steer you towards spirituality. You have money pouring in from all directions. You will be working towards an upcoming, big event. You'll be extremely inspiring. Try to organise yourself in advance. This year you will travel excessively. You are soon likely to enter a very positive period of financial and professional growth. Now is the time to try for big, crazy ideas and plans. It will be wise for you to control your impulsive and aggressive nature. This year’s financial sphere is protected by strong oscillations. Try not to use all your energy at work. Better wisdom directs you to construct an open doorway instead of a barricade. Your financial position will be fair. You’ll work hard in the beginning, but by September all your enthusiasm will fade. Speculation in the stock market will not prove beneficial and you should not be tempted. Some of you born on Monday will have a slight health problem that will require you to take rest for a few days during April. Your social life will be lively. Mood: Growing in confidence. Compatible Signs: Virgo, Capricorn. Lucky Colors: Pink, Blue. Lucky Days: Friday and Sunday. Lucky Numbers: 1, 11, 21, 31, 50
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Emotional adieu
After playing the double roles of a mother and daughter, Tina Dutta now has a respite. With Ichcha dead, she will stick to playing the daughter, Meethi. Talking about the role and letting go of Ichcha, Tina gets emotional. Did you get tired of the double role? No, I was never tired of the double role. In fact, I enjoyed playing Ichcha and Meethi. They are roles with substance. Was it easy? Yes, it was tough at times but both characters have so much contrast that it’s fun to play them. Moreover, playing a double role is a big deal for an actor – it’s an achievement. I have worked so hard on both the roles and both of them are dear to me. Who was more fun to play-- Ichcha or Meethi? Ichcha of course as I have been playing her since last four years. There has been a graph and growth in the role. She is closer to my heart. She has slowly grown into a 40-year-old woman so the journey has been fulfilling. Do you feel a saturation point after four years of the same show? Sure. I do feel like doing something else but whatever I am today is because of Uttaran. There are rumours of you throwing tantrums on the set. Everyone has issues while working together but things about me gets written about as I am popular.
A new twist
Versatile actress Sushmita Mukherjee is all set to enter Zee TV’s Aaj Ki Housewife Hai…Sab Jaanti Hai. Sushmita will essay the role of Sunaina’s (Himani Shivpuri) old friend who is very classy, rich, a typical elite lady and who knows that Sunaina is sitting on some huge money. Her only motive to meet Sunaina is to somehow coax her to sell her huge property. Sushmita will sport a typical business woman look, and will be carrying a pet along with her.
Aishwarya’s new show
Surprise visit
Koel is a self-acclaimed singer and has a habit of talking in a sing-a-song style. In the show the entire Narayan family is celebrating Holi except for Ghotak (PareshGanatra) who is missing his wife Koel (ShubhangiAtre). However, Babuji is aware of the surprise planned by Koel
(Shubhangi).
End of Didi?
Lead pair of Hitler Didi Nude shock
Mona Singh got a shock to know that an MMS clip featuring her had gone online. Allegedly the nude clip shows the actress and she has filed a complaint with the cyber crime branch to investigate it. Mona became famous post her hit show Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin and is currently doing Kya Hua Tera Vaada.
Holiday time Now that Kritika Kamra’s show Kuch Toh Log Kahenge has ended, the actress has gone on a holiday with her close friends. Kritika has gone to Belgium with her co-star Sharad Kelkar, his wife Keerti, Hussain Kuwajerwala and wife Tina among others. Fun day: Kritika Kamra
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Neha Dhupia is a bombshell. She maintains a curvy body which is toned too and goes for stylish clothes. She has an amazing and eclectic sense of style. She talks about fitness and maintaining her body. Basic philosophy
Rome was not built in a day. The idea is to make a temple out of your body. Fitness should not be a fad. I have a really good set of trainers and people who guide me on a daily basic. It is my lifestyle now. My routine has been personalised for my body type. I do cardiovascular exercises and weight training. I also do Pilates and muscle-toning exercises which are free from injuries and improve your core and posture. Fitness is fun
You have to maintain a rhythm and be consistent. Travelling can be an obstacle for me so I carry sneakers and a yoga mat. I practice yoga wherever I go now and I go running. I like working out to music. I play squash with my dad whenever possible. I am not a gym person. I listen to my body. On days when I feel weak or have not slept well, I rest instead of working out. Food wise
The food you eat is so important to the routine and development. My dietician Pooja Makhija has weaned me off sugar completely. So, I do not crave anything sweet anymore and I eat small meals every two
hours.
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Sallu & his protégés
Salman Khan is now taking Sooraj Panscholi under his powerful wing to launch his career in Bollywood. We take a look at his other protégés. Salman has an eye for talent and is responsible for miraculously changing the lives of so many people
Katrina Kaif
She would have remained a model or done not-so-happening movies had it not been for Salman Khan who helped her career and put her on the A-list map. He worked with her before anyone else on Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya. Then Namastey London and Humko Deewana Kar Gaye happened and Katrina's meteoric rise to stardom has been unprecedented. She has a powerful position in the industry today and owes all this power and success to Salman Khan.
Switching loyalties
Shah Rukh Khan has been taking a keen interest in Parineeti Chopra's career after her National Award mention. He is all praises for her and is inquiring about her. It is likely that their pairing is on the cards.
Kangna Ranaut's next film, directed by Vikas Bahl, has been shot in three countries, France, Holland, and India, across 140 locations. Anurag Kashyap has produced it which he feels it was as difficult to shoot as Gangs of
Wasseypur.
Sonakshi Sinha
Zarine Khan
He was motivated by Salman Khan to lose weight. He has assisted on movies like Wanted. Arjun is friends with the entire Khan-daan and Salman is his guru. He owes his film career to Salman's encouragement and
guidance. Yours faithfully: Arjun Kapoor
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Lucky break
If you have the appetite for Punjabi cinema, here’s a relief from the rhetoric. At Hotel Park Plaza, Sector 17, Chandigarh, the cast and crew of Lucky di Unlucky Story launched the music of the much-anticipated film on Saturday. Produced by Gurfateh Films and Sippy Grewal Productions, the film, directed by Smeep Kang, will bring Gippy Grewal and Jackie Shroff together for the first time. Although the cast is expecting a commercial success, depending on its comic story line and concept, Gippy elucidates on a wider perspective and defends its creative essence while defining its plot.
“As much as eighty per cent of the film has been shot in Punjab and the remaining in Bangkok. This is essentially a comic thriller where I’m playing the lead role of Lucky, who lands up in a mess. Although Punjabi cinema is banking on comedy these days, this film has a very fresh flavour of comedy.
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Ranbir’s de-glam avatar
Apart from his acting abilities, youth icon and heartthrob, Ranbir Kapoor is known for his good looks and trend-setting style. However, the actor shocked many when he stepped out of his vanity van recently for the shoot of Pepsi's IPL campaign at Filmcity in Mumbai.
Sources said many crew members, who were not privy to the drastic make-over, were unable to recognize the actor. In the upcoming funny commercial, Ranbir plays a simple working class man who wears dull clothes, large spectacles, dental braces, and a 90's style chevron moustache. A cricket fan, he is seen carrying a large briefcase style bag and a yellow tiffin box in the ad film. When asked, this is what Ranbir had to say about the look, "It's not the usual casual and trendy look that I get to sport. In the new ad film, I play a simple man, who likes to dress conservatively but is passionate about cricket.”
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With only a few days left at his disposal before he returns to jail to complete his five-year sentence in the 1993 serial blasts case, actor Sanjay Dutt recently started shooting for Policegiri at Kamalistan studios. The actor is shooting for a climax scene and soon he will have to dub for his parts which require him to work for 8-10 days. Producer T P Agarwal said, "It is an action sequence that we have to shot. Also, we have to dub for the film. So, we would require more or less eight to ten days from him." Policegiri is a remake of 2003 super-hit Tamil film Saamy. The Hindi version is being directed by renowned director from the South, K S Ravikumar. Sanjay has been paired opposite much younger actress Prachi Desai in the Hindi remake.
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Chandigarh Creative Cinema Circle’s 7th Sunday with Filmmaker will present Delhi-based filmmakers Nandan Saxena and Kavita Bahl with their films Cotton for My Shroud, Hollow Cylinder and three short films Buddha and Other Beings. Their son Sidharth’s short film Chail will be screened as well. The event is free for all at Lala Lajpat Rai Bhawan-15, Chandigarh, from 4 pm onwards.
Just as we finish winding up with a couple of them, there comes yet another. Chandigarh never gets tired of lifestyle exhibitions, does it? Clothes, accessories, fabrics, bling; the more the merrier. Designers World 2013 further adds to the options of bling, fuchsia, net and all that jazz. 
From the city
Jessica Karen Szohr (born March 31, 1985) is an American actress. Szohr began her career with television shows like CSI: Miami and What About Brian. She gained recognition in 2007 with her breakthrough role as Vanessa Abrams on the CW series Gossip Girl. She recently appeared in the 2010 horror film Piranha 3D and in 2011 comedy I Don't Know How She Does It.
Aishwarya Sakhuja of Saas Bina Sasuraal fame will soon be hosting a reality show. The pretty girl has been signed on to host Star Plus' Sriman vs Srimati with Karan Wahi. The show will have celebrity couples competing with husbands pitted against their wives.
Shubhangi Atre has joined the cast of Sab’s Chidiyaghar. She will be essaying the role of Narayan family’s beloved bahu, Koel. Shubhangi has played lead roles in some of the most popular daily soaps. 
Zee TV’s Hitler Didi has been in the news for payment issues, actors threatening to quit and no bank of episodes. The show has been an average runner on TV since its launch and even the leap and entry of Rohit Roy didn’t make much difference. Now the buzz is that the channel is planning to end it. But producer Ila Bedi refutes the
rumours.
Tale of three nations
She was overweight and wanted to become a fashion designer. Salman offered her a movie and two years' time to get into shape. Then Dabangg happened and the rest is mindless-blockbuster history. Sonakshi is now working on her tenth movie, in just two-and-a-half years and has a super hit record. She is now also doing meaningful films as Lootera.
He noticed her uncanny resemblance to Katrina Kaif and launched her in Veer. She was made to gain weight for the movie as she was playing a princess from a different era. Zarine hardly got any attention or new movies after the failure of Veer. Then Salman re-launched her in Character dheela song in Ready and she was all over the place. She was also in Housefull 2. She is busy with modelling and appearances. We do not know about her films.
Arjun Kapoor
