Sun screen
The May sun is blazing away and respite is nowhere in sight yet. The only option is to guard against the bright rays...
Mona
Gagan
Gagan 

May is scorching and heat is at its peak. If one goes by the weatherman’s forecast, there is more in store. Here are a few known names from the region who are beating the heat in style!

Short take

For choreographer Gagan, summer is a busy season with Zumba classes and more. Her funda — shorter the dress, the better, with a hat and huge glares for company. “I am all for sunscreen, but keep it lesser than 50 SPF, more than that might harm the skin,” says the chirpy girl, taking a moment in between her classes.

 

 

Cool shot

For Dilsher Sukhija, director, Hotel Icon, days start early in summer. An avid golfer, he is out to play at six in the morning. “I like to do my bit of exercise, fun and running around before it gets too hot,” says Dilsher. Weekends are reserved for uphill journey - Kasuali being his favourite. “I love the hills; summer makes sure that one gets away from the hustle bustle of city life to be in the quiet environs of the hills.” And, yes, getting all the news on the heat wave, his staff spends the afternoons indoors with their concerned boss! “I don’t like to take chances,” says Dilsher giving finishing touches to his travel plans this summer to cities like New York, London and Amsterdam.
 Priyanka Khosla
Priyanka Khosla

Cool cotton

We catch Priyanka Khosla, director INIFD, amongst the May Queen contestants, dressed in a pink, green and lemon flowery georgette gown! She thanks her stars that her work does not require her to be in field and she can take succour in AC rooms as the sun blazes outside. However, for the ones who need to brave the sun, she is all for full sleeves malmal tops and a hat.

“When Tishaa (her daughter) was out on shoots as an assistant director, I designed loads of full sleeves tops in malmal in beige, off-white and pastels. One can opt for cotton dresses as well.”



Aman Dhaliwal
Aman Dhaliwal

Act right

Actor Aman Dhaliwal is rather happy to be back in Punjab from Hyderabad. “Summer is much worse there,” he says. Heat has harmed him already; having shot for days in the fields for the film Putt Jattan De, he supports a tan now! Aman has plans to spend the rest of the summer in his farm. Eating lots of fruits, lassi and enjoy the sleep under the trees in his free time is on his ‘cool’ agenda. “I keep a wet malmal cloth on my head while on the set to beat the heat; that works like an exterior AC,” he quips.




Mansi Parekh 

Swim through

Television actor Mansi Parekh is happy dabbling in acting, anchoring and theatre. She banks on loads of chilled, fresh aam panna with saffron, which her mom specialises in. “Going for long swims is the best bet to beat the heat,” says the girl, who plays lead in soap Gulaal.

mona@tribunemail.com

 

 

Like father like son
Kanwarjit Paintal and his son Hiten, in Chandigarh for the movie Ik Wari Haan Karde, talk about the characters they essay & much more
Tanya Malhotra

With full enthusiasm, the father-son duo has set foot in Chandigarh to shoot for their upcoming movie Ik Wari Haan Karde. We first meet Kanwarjit Paintal, better known as Paintal. While his elder brother Gufi Paintal played Shakuni in famous television serial Mahabharat, Kanwarjit played the role of Shikhandi.

He has also left his imprints in Indian cinema with as many as 350 movies, including Jawani Diwani, Bawarchi, Piya Ka Ghar, Satte Pe Satta, among others. Even as we begin the conversation with Paintal, he realises that the best person to speak about the movie is the lead character, his son Hiten.

Working in a packed schedule does not deter Hiten from adding his signature punches in comic style. “My father and I are acting as father and son in the movie too; the only difference is he hates me in the movie (he smiles). It’s a fun-filled movie with a college background and it creates an effortless connection with the audience; I don’t want to spill the complete story though. My character is that of an aspiring actor who is witty and fun. On the whole, it has been a great endeavour.”

As for other projects, he adds, “Two of my movies Tukka Fit and Music Meri Jaan will be releasing soon too.” Hiten has worked in serials like Kasauti Zindagi Kay and movies such as Dil Maange More, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Rascals, among others.

As for Chandigarh, this is his first official tour, “I remember coming here around fifteen years ago to meet my relatives. The city is as beautiful as I remember.” While chit-chatting with Hiten, we come to a more serious topic, which is the news these days — Honey Singh. He says, “While you’re in the showbiz, everybody has their eyes on you and so you need to be extra-careful not to hurt anybody’s sentiments.”

As he walks back for a shot, we head back to Paintal. Talking about his journey in the Indian cinema so far and the changes he has witnessed, he says, “Surely it has changed and it’s very important to keep up with time, but what I strongly disagree is about the part where cinema is held responsible for the bad influence on children. Youngsters today are strong and well-connected with the world to be influenced in any way. They have a better understanding about everything.”

Paintal is all set to direct and produce a movie. “That’s where I am headed right now; it is going to be an out-and-out comedy with a serious undercurrent.”

Securing the future
Mona

Two’s company: KK Mukhey and Karishma Randeva Mukhey

Cyber crime is increasingly gathering attention and data security a matter of grave concern. KK Mukhey and Karishma Randeva Mukhey have brought a solution in the form of The Institute of Information Security opening another training centre in Chandigarh.

While KK has been in the field for close to a decade-and-a-half, Karishma is rather a new entrant. They open up on their recent venture.

"While I started working in this field, we had to explain what we do. Now, we are approached by concerned organisations for data and information safety," says KK.

In fact, seeing the demand being more than people who can handle these concerns have made Mukheys gear up the training sector. "Our trainers have been working not only in India but the world over in countries like Turkey, Malaysia, Dubai and more," pitches in Karishma.

The course they offer is either six weeks or six months at a fee of Rs 15,000 plus service taxes and Rs 60,000 plus taxes, respectively. "What we have seen in the field is that there is little hands-on knowledge provided; at our training sessions this is the emphasis," says Karishma, who is enjoying the corporate world after her glamorous innings on television.

"I am happy with the new working hours, TV was intense," she admits. On the flip side, she missed the attention she had got used to as an actor. "Earlier, when people would come and greet all the time, I would wonder if I will get any time alone but now I get loads of it," she confesses.

Husband KK is all appreciative of her efforts to fit in the new world, "She is new in the field, but has adapted well." "I am learning and learning fast," puts in the pretty entrepreneur with confidence.

mona@tribunemail.com

Master Chef
Tamarind tango!
Kandla Nijhowne

In my ponytail days, I could pop a sticky bit of imli straight from the kitchen jar, straight into my mouth! It would have a blasting kick of acid which would have both the peepers go into squint mode in sheer ecstasy! Tamarind is a delightful component which adds spunk to many dishes.

It's also an antioxidant and has vitamin C, fiber and other health benefits. Surprise you as it may, it is good for a cold, reduces fever and lowers cholesterol levels! Due to its sour taste, you invariably need to use some sugar along with tamarind recipes. An imli chutney is like a ketchup of the East. I feel it's an absolute must to have on our fridge shelf, for it can give almost any meal a push! Add dates, saunf", dried ginger and shakkar to take it beyond the chaat-waala's pulp!

 

Suitable
Suits have forever been a favourite with Indian women. They have even garnered the attention of foreign celebrities. Here's a look at some trends
Tanya Malhotra


White embrodered suit looks cool in the hot season

The true colours of India can be seen in the clothes of the country and a suit represents the purity of tradition like nothing else. While Bollywood celebrities flaunt the fresh designs making a style statement for everybody to follow, let's find out what's new in the world of suits.

The hit league

Anarkali

In case of the Anarkali, history has repeated itself but with a twist. The Mughal era's outfit is a hit again whether it's a wedding, birthday party, any big occasion or even a casual one; the Anarkali has been able to fulfill all the needs of all body types! Aishwarya Rai's long length Anarkali along with the short Anarkali of Sonam Kapoor has been a huge hit.

Fabric: For special occasions - silk and net with embroidery and sequencing on neckline yoke, and sleeve with zari, mirrors, resham, kori and patchwork. Casually it can be worn with cotton. Contrasting fabrics like georgette and velvet can also be used.

Colours: Although deep red and bottle green have been the biggest hits; subtle and contrast colours like pink, orange, blue and green are the recent hits.

Anarkali suit for formal occasions
Anarkali suit for formal occasions

Twist: A lot of layers, slits and experimentation with lengths as well as colours.

Churidar

Althought churidar salwar is used in Anarkali suits as well; the straight fit kurtas with the churidar is the original trend. A lot of experimentation with patterns accentuates their beauty. It also gives good space to your creativity and imagination. Churidar give you a slimmer look, but it has to be balanced. Be careful not to get it stitched too tight or too loose; stretchable fabrics go really well with the churidar whether it is readymade or stitched.

Fabric: Silk, brocade, net, chiffon and georgette.

Colour: Light colours for short height, contrast colours, subtle colours are preferred over vibrant ones.

Twist: Slits, use of net, off-shoulder kurtas.

Patiala
Ethnic suits have a timeless appeal
Ethnic suits have a timeless appeal

The tradition of Punjab seems to have spread across the country. Bollywood too has adopted the style, for instance Aishwarya Rai in Action Replay, Kareena Kapoor in Jab We Met, Anushka Sharma in BandBaja Baraat. Ensure that you buy extra fabric for the salwar to really make it stand out.

Fabric: Cotton, Crepe, Georgette, Shimmer, Raw Silk

Colour: Red, green, blue, pink and purple with contrasts.

Twist: Lot of pleats - shahi salwar, phulkari on the salwar or dupatta, prints. Embroidery and sequencing.

New trends

Arabian pants, dhoti style salwar, parallel, shararas, straight fit or trouser fit salwar adorned with gangis, kurtas, t-shirts or with very long kurtas like that of Kareena Kapoor in 'Bodyguard'.

International appeal
White cotton kurtas for the summer
White cotton kurtas for the summer

When Lady Diana, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman fell in love with beautiful Indian designs it caught the attention of the world, making foreigners yearn for a piece of clothing from India. "It is comfortable and displays the tradition of the country. I have made some great friends here who gifted me a couple of suits and I sent these photographs to my mother in Iran. She loves them too," says Afsana Fakhri, Panjab University student, a native of Iran. 

Suit yourself

Picking a right fabric, length and design is very important for your suit to stand out and display your perfection while hiding any flaws in your body. For instance, if you're on the chubby side, go for little longer sleeves, vertical or floral prints and dark colours; don't go for any stiff clothing. If you're in doubt, go for extensive research and seek help if necessary. And remember, picking a tailor who can balance it all is the most important task!

pet passion
Cat call
Poonam bindra
Jaiveer with his pet
Jaiveer with his pet

For Geetika Raikhy, a connoisseur of thoroughbred canines, bringing the feline breed into the household was a little difficult but her little cherub Jerry wished to keep a cat and the ever indulgent grandparents gifted him one. A furry creature with wide piercing eyes made the Raikhy household his home. For Jaiveer, Tom the Persian cat was his personal possession and soon they became pals.

Tom comes with the quintessential aloofness of the breed and does not give much importance to the dogs in the house and neither does he let them disturb his snoozing. Jaiveer exclaims, "Tom can sleep from morning till 6 in the evening!"

Love me, Love my Tom

For Jaiveer, Tom can do nothing wrong and even when he scratches at the sofas and spoils those, he just tells his distraught mother to just accept it. "It's only a sofa mom," he says. Tom is not allowed outside as he tends to get very adventurous and climb over the walls. Even though he does respond to the command 'no', but ultimately he does come back. For Geetika it is very intriguing and interesting to observe the different traits of dogs and cats. Tom gets the royal treatment, his special packaged cat food comes all the way from Chandigarh, especially the cat biscuits which Tom loves.

Yours faithfully

Looking at strangers with a suspicious eye, Tom takes his time to get friendly with others who are not a part of the household. He snaps angrily at them first. But once he is friendly, he rubs himself against one's legs, purring softly. "Like other members of his breed, Tom too is self-obsessed and keeps himself meticulously clean. His alert eyes follow you around the room," says his mistress. Anything round fascinates him and he loves to jump up and catch it - a game which Jaiveer and Tom really enjoy. One-and-a- half-year-old Tom sure makes a happy family picture.

Future Shock
The race is on
Nishtha Shukla Anand

Go round the hills, speed through the puddles and race for the spot! I'm talking about charming 3D car games that transport you to a world that's exciting and good looking. Some of the more advanced games take you through stunning locales, scary pits, hills and beaches. They bring alive a romance and drama that's fit to run for the Oscars.

So, spend time racing with friends and car games this holiday season. The entry of fun gaming devices such as PSPs, tablets, and pads has led to the entry of sophisticated 3D car racing apps. These games are entrenched in sounds, lights and thrilling surprises.

Games today are tailor-made to suit different operating systems so that you can download games that suit your requirement. Whether you are using Android or iOS, there are many fun racing games that you can lay your hands on. The devices themselves have become high end with their 3D effects, large panoramic scale and invincible ability to showcase animation.

There are free and paid racing car games in the market that take car racing many notches up. These 3D car games get the pulses jumping. They are done in high definition and it's simply a pleasure to play hard with these life-like games.

If you're hoping to download some exciting car racing games online, we have one bad news and some good news. The bad news is that there are way too many games available in the market today. The clutter doesn't allow you to get a game you find just right. The good news, that there are some that are sure to drive you bananas! I've put together a list of games recommended by gaming fanatics I know. So, go ahead, and get the wheels rolling. Remember, they are in no particular order:

(The writer is Chandigarh-based technology expert)

Of religion and spirituality
Amarjot Kaur

Divine call: Vijay Singal

As he highlights the antiquity of Hinduism and its philosophical indent, Vijay Singal, lends his creative talent to author his new book, Hinduism from Maya to Moksha. While launching it at the Press Club, Chandigarh, he justifies the title as he shares, "My book is an academic study and it details on the basic facts about Hinduism. Maya is a mysterious power and moksha is the ultimate power. This book thereby caters to the spiritual extension of religion."

The book was earlier launched at the House of Commons, London, and Singal, who has already penned several books on spirituality and philosophy, distinguishes his latest book from the rest as he says, "The content of this book focuses on the concept of God and philosophy about Hinduism. It also details on various gods in Hinduism, the relevance of temples and festivals and the evolution of the religion, considering the current situation."

Singal further adds, "The book brings to the doorstep of a common reader the travails of the history, creative genius behind mythology, essence of philosophy, various means of spiritual attainment and utility or otherwise of practices of this most misunderstood and maligned religion. Both, the strengths and weaknesses of this religion of eternity, Sanatan Dharama, have been flagged empathically."

Light up your world

Ankur Lighting, a high-end state-of-the-art experience Light Studio was launched recently in Chandigarh. Sprawling over an impressive 2500 sq ft in Sector 9, the new lighting destination studio offers a complete range of lighting solutions.

Delhi based Ankur Lighting having the elite clientele including Taj Group of Hotels, Fortis, DLF, Gold Souk, Elante Mall, Nike, Cafe Coffee Day, Starbucks and others has entered the first time in Northern India to set up their franchisee. Ankur Studio boasts the concept of illumination itself by providing innovative lighting solutions for residential, hospitality and retail sectors.

Announcing the launch, Akshay Dhawan, Franchisee Owner, Ankur Lighting, Chandigarh, "We are very happy to launch such a lighting studio in this region. It is our endeavour to enhance customer experience at our store with the superior range, service, and the overall international shopping ambience, that we have to offer. The launch of such a lighting studio in Chandigarh is a significant achievement for us and underlines the importance of this region. Our products are of very high quality and are value for money as they match up to global standards." —TNS 

STAR TRACK
Saif to romance Priyanka?


SAIF & SOUND
Priyanka Chopra

For the first time in their long filmy career the two most versatile actors of Bollywood will be paired opposite each other. Yes, we are talking about the most dashing Saif Ali Khan and very talented Priyanka Chopra.

Priyanka and Saif will share screen space in Go Gona Gone director duo Raj Nidimoru-Krishna DK's movie. Priyanka and Kareena are arch-rivals and it is said that Bebo is not happy about her hubby romancing Priyanka.

The film will be produced by Saif Ali Khan's Illuminati Films. "Although the makers are supposed to make a rom-com with Saif, they are considering other options in terms of stories. They will take a final call in three-four days. The film's team has also been in touch with Priyanka. So, it's highly likely that she will work with him," says an insider. When contacted, Raj says, "It's too early to talk about the casting of our film." Saif and Priyanka will be seen in a film together for the first time but years back they acted together in a Ponds ad which also featured Neha Dhupia.

Well, we guess this piece of news might not have impressed the actor's wife Kareena Kapoor Khan who shares a cold vibes with Priyanka from the days of Aitraaz. Time and again the news of their cat-fights surfaced.

Long back, when Priyanka dropped on the set of Agent Vinod to meet her friend and actor Saif, rumour blew up that the duo shared something special but soon Piggy Chops clarified that it was a casual visit and at the same time vented her anger on media for spreading wrong news. The rumour died down soon after but still Kareena holds grudge against Priyanka.

Grace full
Nicole Kidman to play Grace Kelly
Nicole Kidman to play Grace Kelly

Nicole Kidman will star as Grace Kelly in a biopic that will be produced by Academy Award winner Harvey Weinstein and will be release the next Oscar season. Kidman said that she has researched on Kelly and has come to know her very well. The 45-year-old actress added that she has fallen in love with her.

Other than the biopic, Weinstein is also planning to make August: Osage County, a movie about a dysfunctional family based on the book of the same name. The movie will star Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts.

He will be producing another movie The Butler, which is about a White House butler who worked for seven presidents and will have Forrest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey. — ANI




Time for revenge


John Abraham

After the stupendous success of Shootout at Wadala, director Sanjay Gupta joins forces with John Abraham yet again for an epic revenge saga which looks to redefine the action space in Bollywood. On the lines of Hollywood blockbusters like Kill Bill and Django Unchained, the untitled one-man-army film is among Bollywood's most ambitious and who is better than director Sanjay Gupta to helm the project. If sources are to be believed, the makers promise to give it a similar status that Sunny Deol's Ghayal had back in the day -The film will also see John Abraham pushing the envelope in the action space ,with high adrenaline stunts without body doubles in signature Sanjay Gupta style.

Reveals a source, "Sanjay Gupta joins hands with John Abraham for an epic revenge saga which is on the lines of a Bollywood Rambo. When dabbling with the script the director could think of no one better than John to essay the role of the protagonist since he has the physique to carry off the character and is synonymous with "action"…The film will be made on par international standards with a contemporary linear treatment."

Case study
Priyanka Chopra is the first Bollywood star to feature in educational curriculum

The Power-PC brand is only moving from strength to strength as the actress now features in the first chapter of the Environmental Studies book which is part of the Springdales School's curriculum. Springdales affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education also have partnerships across the globe, including schools from Australia, Great Britain and Germany.

A first-of-its-kind honor bestowed on an actress, the story has been adapted from the life of Priyanka Chopra whose father was in the Army which resulted in her spending her childhood in many places, including Bareilly, Lucknow, Mumbai in India and Newton, Massachusetts and Iowa in the USA. Says a source, "Talking about Priyanka's Army background, the wide exposure to people and places that were part of her childhood, the first chapter titled: Roving Families; Shifting Homes uses the actress as an example for the environmental studies book, which has wide reach across various educational institutions….This is the first time an actress is honoured in such a manner which only goes to show how she comes across as a responsible icon for the youth".

Beyonce Knowles idolised Whitney 

Singer Beyonce Knowles says she always wanted to be rich and famous like late singer Whitney Houston.

Knowles, 31, often told her mother that she would grow up to become like Houston, who died after drowning in her bathtub reportedly following a cocktail of marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs last year. Knowles, who performed at US Super Bowl 2012, was starstruck when she saw the late singer when she performed at the same event in 1991. "I turned to my mom and said, 'Oh my God, she's awesome!' My mom said, 'Yeah, baby, she is.' And I said, 'One day I'm going to be like that too.' My mom said, 'Yeah, baby, whatever.'" Hello magazine quoted Knowles as saying.

"But you just never know what's going to happen in your life because even back then I knew there was something worth fighting for and that I was going to do whatever it took to fight for it," she added. — IANS

Finally she rocks!
Nargis Fakhri to star opposite Varun Dhawan

Nargis Fakhri of Rockstar fame has bagged another promising project. She has been signed opposite the Student of the Year actor Varun Dhawan in the film, titled, Main Tera Hero. Nargis, who is currently shooting for John Abraham's Madras Café, has not signed film for a long time since the release of Rockstar as she has been waiting for some good movies to come her way. The film will be directed by ace director David Dhawan. Breaking the news, a source said, "Yes, Nargis has been signed on for the film. In fact she has a very important role in the film. However, more details of her role are currently unavailable."

The film will star three lead actors and apart from Nargis and Varun.

It will have the Barfi actress Ileana D'Cruz in the lead. Ileana has impressed all with her debut film and now she is going to woo her audience yet again with her new film. "Ileana and Nargis are playing key roles in the film Main Tera Hero, Girish Johar, head of acquisition and distribution, Balaji Motion Pictures, said. "Details are being worked upon," he added. The film will go on floor in June. Nargis has recently signed another movie opposite Akshay Kumar which is a 'Shaukeen' remake.<< busy bee: Nargis Fakhri

Change of heart

Charlie Sheen's troubled ex-wife Brooke Mueller is apparently not happy with Denise Richards taking care of her children. Richards who has two daughters, Lola and Sam, with Sheen, and adopted another daughter, Eloise, on her own has cared for Mueller's kids on several occasions when Mueller was undergoing her rehab.

Sheen had also supported this arrangement and according to a friend of his, the actor had praised about Richards being "a stable, very maternal" influence on the twins.

Even Mueller, initially supported the decision, said a friend of her. But after an L.A. county juvenile court judge agreed to grant Richards temporary custody of the boys, Mueller has reportedly had a change of heart about the situation, and is not happy with Richards stepping in for her while she completes rehab at the Betty Ford Center. A friend of Muller said that she is angry and thinks that Richards may take the kids. She wants the boys to be with her brother and sister-in-law. — ANI

 

After Cannes, it's Monaco


GOING PLACES: Ali Zafar

After attending the special film screenings at the Cannes festival and discovering the exotic French Riviera, actor-singer Ali Zafar plans to fly to Monaco with his friends to celebrate his 33rd birthday. He eagerly awaits this holiday as after the extremely hectic schedule of Chashme Baddoor and Aman ki Asha, this is going to be his first breather in a very long time and can't wait to travel to Monaco, a destination he has long wanted to visit. Big gifts are not something Ali looks forward to. "I don't take into account material objects. I remember I got a very special birthday card from my entire family where each one of them had expressed their love and feelings and I loved it," says Ali when asked about his birthday wish-list.






chatter box
Pooja loves bikes!


Biker girl: Pooja Banerjee

As they say, you can take a person away from passion, but not passion away from a person! That's exactly what can be said about Pooja Banerjee and her passion for bikes.

On a normal day of a shoot, on the sets of Ghar Aaja Pardesi, suddenly there was the roar of a Royal Enfield Bullet! While the rest of the cast were almost ignorant of the mean machine, there was one person who got lured by its growl. Pooja went weak in her knees and couldn't resist. We all know that the ex-roadie Pooja is a dyed-in-the-wool biker! The thrilling thought of riding the bike, made Pooja impatient. She tracked down where the bike was parked and requested the owner to let her ride it bike for a few minutes. Thrilled and excited on getting her request accepted, Pooja rode the bike to her heart's content and returned to the sets happily. — HRM

Bollywood calling

Vineet Raina of Punar Vivaah fame will soon make his acting debut in Bollywood. He will be seen in the film Shabd—The Shadow of a Woman with newcomer Reshma Singh. He did the small role in the film for his friend director Sandeep Solanki. Vineet is also part of a Zombie film called No Exit directed by Vipin Parashar. 

A humble approach

Frankly speaking: Smita Jaykar

Renowned film, television and theatre actor Smita Jaykar needs no introduction today. The actor who won many hearts after her spirited performance in the film, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and the serial Ghutan Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli, will essay the role of Raahat, a mainstream character in Gajendra Singh’s first fiction show, Ghar Aaja Pardesi. She will team up with Vikram Gokhale for the show. A novel concept and a strong line up with an array of seasoned star cast, Smita aims to touch new heights with her role. She talks to Life+Style about the show.

How do you juggle career and home?

I live in a joint family and they are very supportive as well as encouraging. Also, my sons are grown up now so it gives me more time to work hard on the sets.

What prompted you to sign this show?

Gajendra Singh was planning to cast both Vikram Gokhale and me for his show, which was woven around the culture that was typical of Benaras. I liked the concept and signed Ghar Aaja Pardesi immediately.

Tell us something about this show…

It is a beautiful story of an Indian family from Benaras and showcases the diverse cultures as well as traditions of our country. It is about a girl from London adapting to the new culture and lifestyle in India.

What is the USP of this show?

Shot mostly in Benaras, it stars seasoned actors like Mahesh Thakur, Anita Kulkarni, Ruchi Savaran and Pooja Banerjee. The scale of the show is big. The team is good and it is totally different from other shows.

What you think about the TV industry?

I never wanted to become an actor. I always saw myself as a lawyer, but after doing some good serials I think television industry is lovely. — Dharam Pal

The traditional twist


New role: Avika Gor

Sasural Simar Ka has an interesting twist in store for the viewers. While the adored character of Roli played by Avika Gor has come to an end, Avika will continue to be a part of the show in a completely new avatar. She will now be seen as a Rajasthani girl—Jhumki who is Roli's look alike.

In the previous episodes, during her wedding sequence with Veeru, after repeated attempts by Simar of reminding her sister of the past, Roli gets her memory back. Seeing this, Veeru gets furious and pulls out a gun to shoot Simar but Roli comes in between, gets shot and later dies.

Following this, the character of a small town girl, Jhumki, enters the show. Displaying the traditional Rajasthani attire— ghaghra-choli, she is very rustic and outspoken. Excited to be seen in a new role, Avika says, "I feel sad about the end of Roli's character. I am also excited since a new role always offers something different to learn and experiment with. I also hope the new twist is loved by everyone."

Getting real

Bigg time: Riteish Deshmukh





Riteish Deshmukh will now produce the Marathi version of the reality show Bigg Boss and joining him will be politician Nitesh Rane. They want to promote Marathi actors and have a show with Marathi celebrities. The show will be like the usual format, but they will try to avoid the controversies






Leading lady

Sana Sheikh has signed on a new show. She has shot for producer director Ravi Ojha's next project called Gustakh Dil. She will be playing the lead, after playing a supporting role as Naina in Sasural Simar Ka.

Astro turf
P Khurrana

ARIES: This is an important day in your professional life. An unexpected guest will gatecrash on your hospitality. A romantic mood will put even the toughest situation to rest. Tarot message: Plan your life to avoid the in-build delays. Lucky colour: Brown. Magic number: 41

TAURUS: You draw the Ace of Pentacles, so you will begin the day with full of energy and confidence. People are drawn to you but do not trust them. New ventures have a better chance of being a success. Tarot message: Bury an old quarrel. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 33

GEMINI: This is a great day to get your ideas down on the paper and start planning your next project. Do not let people intrude in your privacy if you need solitude. Good day for dealing with accounts. Tarot message: Stay focused. Lucky colour: Lemon. Magic number: 39

CANCER: Romance and creativity are highlighted. This is also the perfect time for initialing a new personal project. Family matters will keep you busy in the evening. The change of job is not advisable. Tarot message: Listen to your voice of wisdom. Lucky colour: Baby-pink. Magic number: 27

LEO: The Queen of Swords suggests a spot light is on fashion, appearance & charm. Romance is on the cards. Do not allow feelings of frustration to over take you. Setback will only be temporary. Tarot message: Learn a lesson from past mistakes. Lucky colour: Coral. Magic number: 60

VIRGO: Your card Five of Swords reveals physical activity and pleasure. Do not start this day by being extravagant. You must cut down on spending. Loved ones will not be very helpful. Tarot message: Think before you speak. Lucky colour: Indigo. Magic number: 42

LIBRA: It is the time to begin new projects. Make important calls write up a proposal and do anything that requires a starting point. Travel will prove futile. Focus on religious discourses. Enjoy this evening with your spouse. Tarot message: Follow a regular fitness routine. Lucky colour: Lime-green. Magic number: 54

SCORPIO: Business dealings will fall due to lack of details and information. Confusion over priorities will also cause havoc in the work-place. Do not interfere in other's affair. Keep your mind off the past. Tarot message: Perseverance is the key to success. Lucky colour: Sky-blue. Magic number: 63

SAGITTARIUS: A career switch will mean having to move out of state or overseas. You will spend quite a lot of time on planning. Business matters are well under control. Consider getting involved in charitable work. Tarot message: Do not exhaust your resources on others. Lucky colour: Green. Magic number: 55

CAPRICORN: Stick to the beaten track today and look after yourself. At the end of the day you will be proud of what you have achieved and will be rewarded. Keep a check on your health. Tarot message: Be honest. Lucky colour: Rust. Magic number: 38

AQUARIUS: A special romance in your life will seem aloof and hard to communicate with. Let them know you care respect their space. Health problem will be satisfactorily treated. Tarot message: Arrogance and pride will not be rewarded. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 40

PISCES: Your card The Devils boosts your enthusiasm and self-confidence. Take this time to expand your social circle, develop new talents; learn new hobbies or plan a vacation. Tarot message: Versatile mind will bail you out of a situation. Lucky colour: Golden. Magic number: 28 





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