The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle

	On the dance floor For Canada-based dance filmmakers Marie Brodeur, Alaintheraiault and Sylvester Guidi the language of dance is universal Amarjot Kaur Dance is one of the most intriguing and engaging forms, which transcends the barriers of language. While Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi and Kri Foundation, a foundation by Arshiya Sethi, which supports the art form of Dance and the Camera, organise a dance film workshop at the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh, it features the works of Canada-based dance filmmakers Marie Brodeur, Alaintheraiault and Sylvester Guidi. As one engages in an interesting conversation with these three creative folks, one is acquainted with a whole new world of possibilities related to dance. Seated at a bench outside the gallery, Marie, a trained modern ballet dancer, says, "To be equipped with the knowledge of any kind of dance form is a blessing for the one who wants to direct dance films, for they are very different from the regular films and documentaries. Most of them do not even run in a linear, while at other times, they can be abstract. However, if you have the knowledge of dance, it shall reflect in the flow of the film that you are directing." While detailing the radical features, which define a dance film she shares, "The language of dance is universal. My idea of making a dance film is to translate the flow of movement of dance in the movement of camera and produce a story." Meanwhile, Aliantheriault, the documentary and producer and a music composer, who is also Marie's husband, says, "It's a tough job to understand the views of a director, who aims to create something visually and add music to the same, but I improvise a lot and possibly that reproduces the emotions that Marie wants to convey, through visuals, in music." However, Sylvester Guidi, the cinematographer, takes to the apparent visual shots of the film, for the execution of which he credits his experience in the field for 30 years and his bond with Aliantheriault and Marie. "Since films are a product, manufactured by a team, its brilliance reflects in the bond that the people making it share with each other." This creative trio has a series of dance films to their credit, including Heros, Dance for Your Life, Ananik and Dance of the Warrior, which won the special jury award. amarjot@tribunemail.com
	Curtain call Punjab Arts Council in collaboration with Theatre for Theatre, North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala and Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of India is organising Theatre Festival from January 19 to 25 at Punjab Kala Bhawan auditorium in which seven plays from seven states will be staged. These states are Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and New Delhi. The week-long festival will feature Miyan Ki Jutti Miyan Ka Ser by Sharad Sharma on the first day. While on the second day, it will feature Ghosts by Mushtaq Kak, and Guilty or Not Guilty by Sandeep Mahajain on the third day. The fourth day shall witness a play named Yugpurush by Sudesh Sharma, Batwaare ki Aag by Ajay Mukherjee on the fifth day, Satyagreh by Arjun Dev Charan on the sixth day and finally Aadhi Sadi by Devendra Raj Ankur on the seventh day. The plays begin from 6.30 pm onwards. — TNS
	Never say die Amitabh Bachchan is over 70 years old but he has no plans to quit acting. He feels that he would fall sick if he stopped working. Work is worship For each one of us work is important as it keeps our mind and body busy. If I am satisfied with my work and if I start thinking that I have done the best acting of my life, then the actor in me will die. I always long to face a new challenge. Worst decision In the 1990s, my family members and few other close friends advised me to take a sabbatical since he had worked a lot. I took rest and did not work for almost four years. But later on, I realised that it was the worst decision of my life. My company Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd (ABCL) went bankrupt. During that period I walked into Yash Chopra's office and told him that I don't have any work and he offered me a movie. So I began working again. Crorepati business Later, I got an opportunity to host Kaun Banega Crorepati after which I paid back all my debt. Today, I feel good that I had to face difficulties during that period which had taught me lots of lessons.
	John’s loss is Irrfan’s gain If the very talented Irrfan Khan is no longer voluntarily unemployed he has John Abraham to thank for it. John was supposed to start his next film Rocky Handsome with director Nishikant Kamat this month. However, the dates for Kamat's film clashed with Anees Bazmi's Welcome Back. Nishikant has quickly started another film starring Irrfan Khan about a common man's fight against corruption. The film is said to be inspired by Arvind Kejriwal's aam aadmi movement. Director Nishikant Kamat says, "When John was unable to shoot with me I was at a loose end. Suddenly everything fell into place. I had this script for two years that I wanted to make with Irrfan in the lead. And look at the coincidence! Irrfan had his dates diary empty. He was on the look-out for a film that would interest him. I guess this project was destined to happen." The untitled Irrfan starrer would be completed by March. Nishkant starts Rocky Handome with John Abraham from March 15. "The Irrfan film is very much in the realistic space that I attempted in Dombivali Fast and Mumbai Meri Jaan. It's real gritty and song-less, quite a culture shock for me after the Marathi film Lai Bhaari which is in the Rowdy Rathod space,” he adds.
	Papusza shines in Pune fest The 12th edition of Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) has ended. Under the Best International Feature Film category, Joanna Kos-Krauze directed Papusza from Poland won the award. A cash prize of rupees one million was given to the director and producer Lambros Ziotas. On receiving the award, Joanna called the film fest a best platform for the cinema lovers. "We are just happy. Pune was always a happy festival for us. A few years ago our actress was awarded here and we are always feeling to give our movie because Pune is a very special Film Festival. It is not like to be by the quality of the movies, the jury, the selection committee is very good and it is very good for the cinema lovers," she said. Marathi film Fandry, directed by Nagraj Manjule, won the Government of Maharashtra Sant Tukaram Best International Marathi Film award at the closing ceremony of the event. Fandry also grabbed four other awards in the categories of Best Marathi Film director, actor, screenplay and cinematographer and also received audience award for best Marathi competition film. The award was accompanied by a cash prize of Rs 500,000. Manjule, the director of the award-winning film, said he expected his film only to bag an audience choice award. "I am really happy. I thought that we will receive some award and we will at least bag an audience choice award, but we won total five awards and I am really happy that the actor of the film, Somnath was awarded," he said. The Special Jury award was given to A Touch of Sin (China/Japan) produced by Shozo Ichiyama and directed by Jia Zhang-ke. Among the students' awards, Devil In The Black Stone bagged the best film, whereas the best director award was received by Arvind Kuplikar for Ammortha. — ANI
	Twinkle is not a people pleaser: Akshay Bollywood star Akshay Kumar feels that his actress wife Twinkle is far from being diplomatic as she is not afraid of speaking the truth. The 46-year-old actor was in conversation with filmmaker Karan Johar on his talk show Koffee with Karan, where he appeared for the first time. Akshay said that his wife's film Mela, starring Aamir Khan and brother Faisal, was the turning point of his personal life. "She was very confident about Mela. She had said if the film didn't work, she would get married. Fortunately for me, Mela flopped and we got married," Akshay said. On Twinkle not making an appearance on the show, Karan said jovially, "She can't keep her mouth shut and will talk nonsense and regret it later." To which Akshay retorted, "I tell her to be diplomatic but she is like, What is white is white, what is black is black. There's no filter in her mind. What she's thinking just comes out." Akshay married Twinkle, daughter of actors Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, in 2001. They have a son named Aarav and a daughter Nitara. — PTI
	Saket and his side effects Director Saket Choudhary is back with Shaadi Ke Side Effects, the sequel to his debut film Pyaar Ke Side Effects. The film is about a married couple and changes after having a baby. He talks about marriage and more. Life's experiences Farhan (Akhtar) has been married a long time and has two kids. Vidya (Balan) has been around her sister's twins and is just getting out of the honeymoon period herself. She admitted that post her marriage the biggest problem was sharing her space with husband (Siddharth Roy Kapur). It's understandable, you arrange things one way and someone else does it a different way. Baby blues The biggest side effect is definitely a baby who can turn everything topsy-turvy and even rip apart a marriage. I've not had the courage to baby sit my nephew, who was born just before we started shooting, all day but from playing with him for an hour I can see what my brother and sister-in-law are put through. Besides I have first hand experience with the babies on set. Next film I don't know if there will be a Side Effects part 3. I am directing a film for Saif Ali Khan's Illuminati Films next. It will not be an urban romantic comedy. It will roll at the end of 2014. Waiting time It took over a year to lock the script for Shaadi Ke Side Effects. Casting took time too with Vidya reading the script four times before giving her nod. And another script which was to happen didn't. I am anxious about the movie but I know that Vidya Balan and Farhan Akhtar are very salable actors.
	CHATTER BOX Daredevil acts Kanchi Singh and Mishkat Verma, who are producer Rajan Shahi's discoveries in Aur Pyar Ho Gaya on Zee TV, are quite a sport when it comes to risky sequences. The actors were applauded for their daredevil act of standing at a height on a thin ledge where Avni gets stuck and Raj (Mishkat Verma) saves her. Kanchi refused to use a duplicate and insisted on doing the action sequence on her own. The directors and the action master were scared of letting her do it, but her confidence and dedication made them believe in her. She stood on the ledge of the fifth floor and did all the scenes on her own. The unit was so proud of her that they clapped and appreciated when the shot got over. Kanchi says, "I am an actress and have got a big opportunity. I am not scared, so chose to do the stunt myself. When Mishkat can do it why can't I?" When Rashami got clicked! The low-profile Rashami Desai is fond of good pictures, so when actor Mrunal Jain came up with the idea of clicking her she instantly agreed. Mrunal Jain says, "I always had an interest in photography. I was keen, but could never really practice. The camera was a wedding gift by my wife. Ever since, there has been no looking back. I started clicking pictures almost everywhere; on the sets, on the roads and with each click I got better. Rashami Desai has a fantastic face and expressions." On being asked how camera friendly she was, he says, "Rashami is a very camera friendly actress. She transforms in front of the camera. You can see the pictures have come out well." LENS EYE: Rashami Desai Tough times In the upcoming episode of Diya Aur Baati Hum, after Sandhya informs inspector Singh that she will not chop her hair, she is challenged to prove herself. The squad gears up for the first important task — the hurdle race. Sandhya develops pain in the back as well as the legs and struggles to complete the task practice. Sandhya shares her issues with Sooraj, who realises that she might be pregnant. Sooraj feels dual emotion of happiness and guilt because due to him now Sandhya's training will suffer. Sooraj tells Sandhya about her possible pregnancy. Pet theory Faisal Khan aka Pratap of Bharat Ka Veer Putra…Maharana Pratap on Sony Entertainment Television has been very distracted lately. His attention has been divided, his focus spread all over! Faisal has been spending quality time with someone very special, someone very cute and adorable. Surprisingly, a little white mouse has caught the fancy of Faisal on the sets of his show. This cute little friend has kept Faisal busy during shoots. An animal-lover, Faisal always had a soft corner for these little creatures. During breaks, Faisal is seen playing with his new friend, often feeding and nourishing it. Their bond has grown so strong that he has even named it 'Stuart Little'. Now that's a cute little love story! Proud daughter Tanishaa Mukerji has been frequenting many award functions, including the Star Guild Awards, recently. The actress walked in with her mother Tanuja and cheered her mom, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award. Tanishaa and Karan Johar presented the award to Tanuja. CHEER ON: Tanishaa Mukerji Reliving memories It was a nostalgic moment on the sets of Comedy Circus Ke Mahabali when actor director Shekhar Suman made an appearance to promote his upcoming directorial venture Heartless. He was as a co-judge with Archana Puran Singh and Arbaaz Khan. Accompanying Shekhar was his son Adhyayan Suman and his co-actress Ariana Ayam. "The show has been running for the last seven years and has still maintained the brilliance with which it started years back," said Shekhar. Playing the demon After her vampish role in Colors' Madhubala ended abruptly, Vaishnavi Dhanraj has now got a new role. She will be seen as Hidimba in Star Plus' Mahabharat. Her character of the demon Hidimba will enter the show in a while. Already married The grapevine is abuzz with rumours that Sushant Singh Rajput and Ankita Lokhande have tied the knot and will make their marriage public in April this year. Wedding bliss: Sushant Singh Rajput and Ankita Lokhande Security for Honey-Sunny Yo Yo Honey Singh and Sunny Leone have been tapping their feet hard, shooting for Chaar Botal Vodka from the keenly awaited Horrex (Horror & Sex), Ragini MMS-2. The first day of shoot at Mumbai's Film City was smooth but when the word spread that Honey and Sunny were shooting together, extra security had to be summoned to control the crowd. Chaar Botal Vodka will release on television in February.
	ASTRO TURF P Khurrana ARIES: There can be several disruptions, leaving you feeling irritated and on edge. Be careful as you are prone to losing your temper with loved ones. Spending time with your partner is a priority. Tarot message: Use your instinct to get into the top circle of power. Lucky colour: Royal Blue. Lucky number: 27. TAURUS: Success is certain. Joint ventures or a partnership with a close friend or colleague has the making of a profitable alliance in the longer run. Your beloved or mate will go all out to make it up to you for past digressions. Tarot message: Plan your life better. Lucky colour: Ebony. Lucky number: 40. GEMINI: Plans for today are likely to undergo a change whether you like it or not. A partnership can be a problem. Minor tensions at home will be overcome with tact and understanding. Tarot message: Allow a sick situation to settle before you start a new project. Lucky colour: Cream. Lucky number: 47. CANCER: Hardwork and perseverance will certainly get rewarded. Put behind the unpleasant events of the past and look forward to a nice day. Genuine appreciation and understanding will come your way. Tarot message: Lack of confidence can leave you in losses. Lucky colour: Green. Lucky number: 48. LEO: Meetings and talks will go off very well. Be patient and consider all factors before taking a decision. An advance payment will materialise. Meetings and talks will go off very well. Tarot message: Listen carefully to words of wisdom. Lucky colour: Crimson. Lucky number: 38. VIRGO: Financial gains are assured to the bold and courageous. Those employed can look forward to an out of turn promotion with additional benefits. Work hard to maintain peace at home. Tarot message: Restore ties with people you have been out of touch for long. Lucky colour: Deep-red. Lucky number: 28. LIBRA: Financial gains are likely if you hold your nerve. Those employed are likely to be promoted and can gain from it in the longer run. An advance payment will materialise. Tarot message: Make a concerted effort to boost your income. Lucky colour: Off-white. Lucky number: 55. SCORPIO: You will strike a good bargain, which will provide you immediate benefits. Concentrate on your routine work. Personal relationships are disappointing. Tarot message: Avoid being hurried. Lucky colour: Orange. Lucky number: 46. SAGITTARIUS: Try to remain calm and give your version of the situation that will be accepted. There are times in a relationship when it is wiser to be silent. Take the plunge and implement new plans. Tarot message: Polish your public relation skills. Lucky colour: Florescent-green. Lucky number: 45. CAPRICORN: You will be discussing expansion plans but try to resolve disputes, if any, amicably. You will be concerned about your mate or beloved who has not been keeping well. Tarot message: Don't afraid to lend a helping hand. Lucky colour: Brown. Lucky number: 41. AQUARIUS: Do not get tied down by any promises, especially regarding money matters. Someone will borrow money and not return it at all. Temptation to criticise a family member must be avoided. Tarot message: Try and accomplish long-term tasks. Lucky colour: Violet. Lucky number: 51. PISCES: Be assertive where and when you have to. Stability and inner strength is what you`re looking for. Soul-searching helps in many ways. Stay happy this evening as your efforts will bear fruits. Tarot message: Tread familiar ground. Lucky colour: Golden. Lucky number: 30.
	THE YEAR AHEAD Madan Gupta Spatu If your birthday is January 19... This is a positive year where you will do well and prosper. Your career will be in the limelight and pick up rapidly. Confidence, health and dynamism will be at an all-time high during this time. Avoid excessive ego with children or parents. There will be improvements at work as well as in personal matters. Travel will be pleasurable. It is an exciting period when wealth will increase. However, opposition to your ideas will be high and there can be tiffs with partners. You will have to cancel your social engagement or other extra-curricular activities due to heavy workload. Working on creative projects gives you a burst of energy. Put aside mundane chores for the moment and focus on pursuits that make you happy. Positive colours: Golden, Red, Brown, Cream, White. Select days: Sunday, Monday. Favourable numbers: 1, 4, 2, 7. You share your birthday with Kota Srinivasa Rao (January 19, 1945, Vijayawada), a versatile Tollywood actor. Kota was born in a Telugu Brahmin family and later became famous for his character roles. He was also elected as an MLA from Vijayawada East assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh.