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On a different track
Actor Anil Kapoor is as busy as it gets, shooting in different parts of the world, but that doesn't stop him to take out time to stand by his close family friend Kirron Kher
With all political parties promoting their 'creative' war cry, this man dressed up casually doesn't need one. He creates a ripple effect with the one word he is synonymous with. Jhakaas… and the crowd cheers and claps to no end. This million dollar actor Anil Kapoor carries his magnetic effect to the stage of political campaigning in Chandigarh as he comes down to support his family friend BJP candidate Kirron Kher on Sunday. A friend in need is a friend in deed, and Anil Kapoor stands by every word of it. "I am here to support Kirron because she is a family friend. I have known the family for 35-36 years now, and it is natural for me to stand by them," he says in his bindaas style. Anil is not going the politically correct way, he has always done and followed in whatever he has believed in, personal or professional life. Standing next to Kirron Kher he is not saying anything for the heck of it. "I feel times are changing, youngsters need role models they can look up to. We need people who can push the envelope, and people who can stand for something and I see the change coming pretty soon," adds Anil. If you were to know the actor through his work or interviews, jhakaas Anil Kapoor has always gone with the flow, in fact sometimes swimming against the tide as well. He follows the unconventional. "This is how I have been from the beginning of my career. I always wanted to do something different and something I strongly felt about. Anything challenging or difficult always boosts my confidence and makes me deliver my best. I don't bother if I fall flat, but I have to attempt it," shares the man who says what he feels. And he feels is generally different from the others. His much talked and appreciated television series 24 is an example. It is the second season that the audience wait for now. "We are working with the content and we would soon be out with it as well. As I said, whatever I do has to be perfect, detailed and unique." Unique…. Well the word describes his choice of films and his personal attitude pretty well. If you can second this, if you have seen the actor in Mission Impossible 4. Interestingly, in the film they has shot on the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa and now we hear we would see him on the 155th floor. He laughs, a careless and simple laughter that is oblivious to his popularity. "For my up coming film Welcome Back, Firoz Nadiadwala has got the permission to shoot a scene on that floor. I have a very good feeling for this film, it is like how one feels when they know everything is going right for them. Welcome Back is going to be better than the first one, wait and watch," he smiles joining the sea of people waiting to hear that one word, which will make them raise their hands in Anil Kapoor and Kirron Kher's favour, in a completely jhakaas style! jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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Matter of attitude
Singer Mika Singh claims he is the only Bollywood singer who does as many as 18 shows a month
"Until Honey Singh came along, I was the official bad boy," he begins in a rather pompous tone. He adds, "But then, I told him that he must sing Dama dum mast kalandar with me and probably that should work well for our image makeover." Speaking about his upcoming ventures, Mika says he would really want to get into production and make Punjabi movies rather than acting in one. "I was approached for a film titled Balwinder Singh Famous Ho Gaya, but I was losing out on a lot of concerts. And as I have a lot of fans only for the music that I do, I could not compromise on that. Also, there is no time as I am the only Bollywood singer who does as many as 18 shows a month," he shares. "So that's when I decided that I would rather produce a film rather than act in one. Also, these days we have such interesting and talented actors like Gippy and Diljit, who are doing really well in Punjabi cinema. So I'd like to make a movie with them," he says. Mika holds a balanced opinion when it comes to various music production companies, which are not giving the royalties to the playback singers and over which many from the fraternity, including Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoghal, are unhappy. "I think both the parties are equally at fault. While the music companies are not really cooperating with the musicians, the demands of the latter are also a little over the top," he says. While Mika maintains that playback music is also a music album, he does miss those times when independent albums were a testimony to the artiste's talent. "I am all for free music, but I really want that time to come back when people would make albums," he says. "Even when it comes to playback singing, the key is to be different and start a trend, just like I did. Earlier, in Bollywood, if there were three different actors in a song, it required three respective singers to sing for them, but with songs like Ganpat and Subah hone na de, I triggered the trend that features one voice for any number of heroes." Just when he is about to leave, there pops up a question on another trend that he started-wearing dark tinted shades at night. He shoots back, "Since I'm so famous and there are so many people wanting to click pictures of me and with me, I don't quite like the flash light blinding my eyes!" Wish we could only ask him to say 'cheese', had he not left hurriedly for the performance! amarjot@tribunemail.com |
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Fine finish
Chandigarh Style Week comes to a close with designers Manoviraj Khosla and Mumtaz Khan
The carnival called fashion puts together a lot of creative heads and pulls a few stops elsewhere at the venue. Last day of Kingfisher Chandigarh Style Week saw everybody join in to further glamorize fashion, celebrate good collections and put an end to the three day event. In conversation with the showcasing designers Manoviraj Khosla and Mumtaz Khan. Metal magic
Manoviraj Khosla brought the curtains down with sequins, colours, linen, velvet and also a generous dose of the metallica and also the showstopper Meera Chopra. The 52 to 55 pieces is quite a comprehensive grand finale, by any standard. The Retro Collection put together a bright spread consisting lime greens, matching colours in linen, swimsuits, bikinis, a few lace garments layered with organza and velvet for men and the like. "My collection takes you from the day wear to party wear. It is prêt and I have out together looks that people from down South to up North can identify with. It is a universal look." Talk to him about dressing up men and he is thankful for their new ways and ideologies. "Today, thankfully a lot of men are quite experimental and there are fabrics like velvet that you can also work a lot with." Having to been to Chandigarh before for the IPL, his observations on the city are just as positive. "People have a good sense of dressing and it is a happening city." While he is not doing any films at the moment, coming up is a look for the team of Hilton hotel, an area he has treaded before. "One needs to be creative and practical while designing for corporate. For instance when I was doing the uniform for Kingfisher airlines, I had to keep a lot of brand ethos and culture in mind. It is something I couldn't have done with Air India." Heart & soul
Even before the Bhopal based designer Mumtaz Khan speaks of his collection he gets behind the philosophy of his creations. "I design from my heart and not from my head." The statement he exemplifies in the next sentence with statistics. "My collection is titled Save The Earth and it is based on fabrics and prints of Madhya Pradesh, a place where you will still find handwoven materials." He adds, "All in all 99.9 per cent of people wear chemical prints. I am presenting an eco-friendly collection with tribal prints and made by tribal artisans without the use of chemicals." It is an endeavour he plans to continue with. "I am working on a project called Prints of India, where I will taking up Ajrak from Gujarat, bagh from Rajasthan and kalamkari from South. Then further Kantha from Bengal and the like." The traditional Indian weaves and embroideries are in for a yet another makeover. He adds, "I also want to reinvent cotton and change the image that it can only be worn for casual wear." Well, one of the 38 pieces in the showcased collection had a model sport a bridal duppata and gharara in cotton.
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Astro turf
ARIES: Keep your mind on the job throughout the day. Be sure to get to the bank before it closes. Romance could be an anticlimax. Be tactful in your criticism though emotions will be easily aroused. Tarot message: Health of elderly member at home will need looking after.
Lucky colour: Peach Magic number: 32 TAURUS: Old acquaintances are likely to pop up and you will be intrigued to exchange stores. In the office, more efforts may be expected from you without the possibility of higher income. Keep the lawbreakers at bay. Tarot message: Prepare yourself for a mental battle. Lucky colour: Orange Magic number: 28 GEMINI: A call or a visit from the relative you have not seen for ages brings an opportunity to remember the past and catch up on recent family happenings. Past differences could be the cause of quarrels today. Tarot message: You may encounter some difficulties regarding finances. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 30 CANCER: This is a fantastic time to contact and visit others and to keep abreast of their news and gossip. Complete errands, socialise and catch up on outstanding paper-work. Tarot message: Open up new doors that could lead you in a more lucrative direction. Lucky colour: Yellow Magic number: 31 LEO: "King of Wands" reveals best moments to relax and socialise with friends and loved ones. This is a good day for household repairs. Be sure to grasp the job opportunity that comes your way. Tarot message: Avoid gossip session at work place. Lucky colour: Fuchsia Magic number: 64 VIRGO: Defer making fresh investments. Financial transaction comes to the fore after 1 pm. Domestic interests move at an easy pace. An issue at home is amicably resolved. Tarot message: You can stabilise your financial situation if you make property investments. Lucky colour: Burgundy Magic number: 42
LIBRA: Catching up on jobs you have been putting off for a while seems like a wise idea. You may be joining forces with a person older than yourself in an exciting venture. Romance is unexciting. Tarot message: Over optimism could lead to mistakes. Lucky colour: Baize Magic number: 59 SCORPIO: Do not miss the opportunity to unload all that unfinished business that seems to be weighing on your mind and spirit. You will be amazed how much lighter you will feel when you have shad those concerns. Tarot message: Do not overspend just to impress others. Lucky colour: Peach Magic number: 60 SAGITTARIUS: Use your status of communication boldly with a creative expression. Patronage from powerful individuals can validate your efforts. Share problems with loved ones. Do not take any risk with your savings. Tarot message: Leave things open-ended for best results. Lucky colour: Deep red Magic number: 40 CAPRICORN: Be positive. You will be able to cope better with jobs that require team efforts. Home entertaining should go off rather well. Be wary of situation were it could be easy to make a mistake in haste. Tarot message: You will get the help you need if you ask for it. Lucky colour: Purple Magic number: 57 AQUARIUS: Where you go and whatever you do, the focus of everyone's attention is likely to be firmly on you. Relatives will be sensitive and difficult to get along with. Tarot message: Wait a while and everything will be sorted out on its own. Lucky colour: Forest green Magic number: 52 PISCES: Do not get involved in any land deal. A secret love affair will bring you some added pleasure. Make your boss aware of all the hard work that you have been putting in. Tarot message: Be creative to retain your grip over your business. Lucky colour: Pink Magic number: 63
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The year ahead
If your birthday is April 7...
Positive colours: White, sky blue, cream, yellow and navy blue
Select days: Monday and Sunday
Favourable numbers: 2 and 7
Gems recommended: Pearl, white coral and diamond
You share your birthday with Jeetendra Kapoor (Ravi Kapoor, April 7, 1942, Amritsar), who started his acting career with Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne (1964). He married Shobha Kapoor, and his children are Tusshar Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms. Numbers 7 and 9 will keep him evergreen.
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I don’t make families on shooting sets: Kavita
New innings: After a buzz that Raqesh Vashisth has quit Qubool Hai, now the news is that Karanvir Bohra will play the lead in the show. However, he will not play Asad. Instead, he will be playing a new character. The show will take a 20-year leap soon. Kavita Kaushik loves to be playing the role of Chandramukhi Chautala on FIR. After returning on the show over nine months ago, she is now enjoying the show. She talks to us about that and more. You left the show in between, how different are things now that you are back. It's been almost a year since I returned to the show and feels like I never left it. The show has picked up and things are good. I am being appreciated and that makes me happy. The audience loves my new look and the story too. What did you miss the most when you left the show? As an actor, I am very detached. I don't miss projects, building, houses but I miss people. I am very logical and practical when it comes to dealing with work. I don't make families on shooting sets. What do you think of Aamir Ali returning as your co-star? Anything that will add to the quality of the show is wonderful. I hope the audience enjoys the story track and I am all for bigger entertainment on the show. What did you do when you were on a break from FIR? I was shooting for a film and I was also busy shooting on another show, Tota Weds Maina, which ended in two months due to due the lack of TRPs. What can you tell us about your film? The film is right now in the process of making. Often there's a slip between cup and lip and hopefully it won't be in this case. When things can be talked about, I surely will. — HRM
It’s show time
Narrating tales that have captivated audience attention for almost two decades now, the master storyteller Ekta Kapoor is back with a new offering on Zee TV. Her new show Kumkum Bhagya launches on 15th April at 9 pm, this time replacing her own immensely successful show Pavitra Rishta on the channel. Based loosely on Jane Austen's classic Sense and Sensibility, Kumkum Bhagya is its Indian interpretation, following the life of a Punjabi matriarch Sarla Arora who runs a marriage hall and lives with the hope of seeing her two daughters Pragya and Bulbul who're poles apart, happily married some day! Known for making shows that are women-centric, the pivotal characters of this new show are a bunch of strong, feisty women, living together in an all-female, matriarchal family.
Calls for a celebration
The show, Saraswatichandra, aired on Star Plus and produced by Sphere origins, completed 300 episodes recently. Based on Govardhanram Tripathi's novel, the show captured a million hearts. Sunjoy Waddhwa, CMD, Sphere origins says, "We are very happy that the show is performing well and we are achieving a great response from the audience. I really thank the crew of the show for their hard work."
Welcoming Big B...
The cast and crew of the show, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, is overwhelmed and excited about that Amitabh Bachchan coming to their sets. After Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan shot for an episode to promote his up and coming film, Bhootnath Returns.
Hitting the bull’s eye
A brand new crime show, Encounter, will soon air on Sony Television. The show will focus on many gangsters, including Manya Surve, D-company, and ace-shooter Feroz Konkani. The producers have roped in actors like Prashant Narayanan, Mazher Sayed, Mishal Raheja to shoot for the show.
Tabu’s miss, Sonali’s catch!
Sonali Bendre has finally signed up for Ekta Kapoor's new show on Life Ok. The role had Tabu too in contention, but she didn't want to take up television. It was only when Sonali agreed that things got momentum. In the show, Sonali will play the role of a woman, who has to work when her husband is arrested.
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Star track
Voting is a very important duty of a citizen. Bollywood has been doing its bit by urging people to vote through various platforms. We tell you who is in town for sure to cast their vote as Election Day (April 26) clashes with the IIFA Awards ceremony in USA
Leading by example
Aamir Khan: He is the one to practice what he preaches. He has been telling people on the show Satyamev Jayate to cast their votes so he will do that too. His wife Kiran Rao will also cast her vote.
Acting responsible
Amitabh Bachchan: Big B and his family comprising wife Jaya, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan always go to cast their vote and this year will be no different.
Fardeen goes out of the way
Fardeen Khan: Tusshar Kapoor and Fardeen Khan too are doing something responsible. Both have changed their travel plans in order to accommodate voting day in late April.
Of political lineage
Riteish Deshmukh: He hails from a political family so he will obviously vote. He will cast his vote from his native place on April 17 where his elder brother Amit is contesting and then he’ll fly to USA. His wife Genelia D'Souza will be joining him.
The power of vote
Sonam Kapoor: The actress has confirmed that she will be in the city on April 26 and will also cast her vote. Her father Anil Kapoor and sister Rhea Kapoor will also be casting their vote.
Making it just in time
Ranbir Kapoor: He is currently shooting for Bombay Velvet and is expected to be in town on the day of election and cast his vote. For those wondering, his girlfriend Katrina Kaif cannot vote in India since she is a British citizen.
Bollywood takes on Hollywood
Anil Kapoor will break Tom Cruise's record of shooting on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Producer Firoz Nadiadwala has got permission to shoot on the 155th floor of the hotel and the scene will feature Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar.
A bold comeback
Director Ramesh Sippy will make his directorial comeback with a film starring Rakummar Rao in which both mother and daughter will fall for the same guy.
A role made to order
Saif Ali Khan will play a special role in Arbaaz Khan's Dolly Ki Doli. His character is that of a prince, which should come naturally to him. Saif and the production team are trying to work out the dates.
The unending wait…
The release of Emraan Hashmi-Kangna Ranaut starrer Ungli has been delayed yet again. Producer Karan Johar has delayed the release because he wants to add two songs to the movie and the film will have to be re-edited by Deepa
Bhatia.
No star couple, this!
Rumour has it that Shahid Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha are not dating and that Shahid has rekindled his romance with his former flame Mubina Rattonsey. She is the girl who worked as an executive producer of
Kaminey.
What a pricey pad!
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has sold his suburban Khar flat for a record Rs 1.2 lakh per square foot to a real estate developer. It is one of the highest deals in the suburbs, which has fetched him Rs 6.4 crore.
One on top of the other
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are undeniably the hottest pair in Bollywood right now. Their off-screen chemistry is a matter of great speculation and filmmakers want to cash in on it. Currently, both Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali (SLB) want this 'it' pair for their respective films but do Ranveer and Deepika have the time? Both the actors are said to be in a fix over choosing between Karan Johar's Shuddhi and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani. Incidentally, Karan and Sanjay have announced the same release dates for their films but neither has confirmed the cast. Ranveer Singh, who has returned from Delhi after completing a schedule for his film Kill Dil, has had several rounds of talks with both Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. While Sanjay will start the shooting of his film from November, Shuddhi will also go on the floors around the same time. A source informs, "This means that if Ranveer commits to doing Shuddhi, he will not be able to shoot for Bajirao Mastani. Besides, he is required to shave off his head for the latter film." Simultaneously, Deepika Padukone is facing the same dilemma. Though there are reports that she has said no to Bajirao Mastani for Shuddhi, sources claim that Sanjay doesn't want to see anyone but her as Mastani in his movie. SLB is even willing to wait for Deepika's dates. No wonder, Deepika can't let go of either Shuddhi or Bajirao Mastani. As an official confirmation from both filmmakers is yet to come, let's wait and watch how the casting turns out.
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Here is how to be happy!
Renee Singh
Focus on yourself to create this new level of awareness for a newer concept of life. This can be done by you through some inner thought on yourself:
Sometimes you don't realise how stress is building up slowly until one day suddenly you feel overwhelmed by it. Many times several stressful attention demanding events happen at once and you go from calm to really overwhelmed really quickly. But in any which way it happens you must know how to calm yourself. However the stress has built up inside of you there are a few quick and easy steps to calm you down and make you reach a level of equilibrium. Take a walk
Exercise is a great stress reliever, helps you blow off steam and releases endorphins:
Take a mental break
Visualisation is a great way of de stressing. Guided meditation and peaceful imagery is a great way to resolve problems and restore peace of mind. This will ease you, relax you mentally and physically. You need to access a ''happy place'' and quickly reach a level of calm when stressed. Take a breath
This is like a quick fix. Breathing exercises can get you feeling better right away. These help you get more oxygen into your body and release physical tension. The best part is you can practice them at anytime, any place. Here is how:
Progressive muscle
relaxation
PMR is a technique where you tense and release all of your muscles which make your body feel completely relaxed. With intense practice you can virtually release all tension you are feeling in your body in just a few seconds. This helps you feel calm and in control of yourself to handle situations. Reframe your situation
Sometimes we look at our situation in such a way that we intensify it. Looking at your own situation will put it in a different perspective, take one that causes you less stress. This helps in getting rid of pessimism and many other self sabotaging traits. Change thought patterns
We develop a comfort zone in the way we think and even though it could be negative, time and again we come back to it. We need to break this habit by changing the way we look at things Be an optimist
Optimists experience less stress than realists as they constantly believe in themselves and their abilities and expect only good things to happen to them. They take greater risks and create more positive events in their lives. Once you reach a state of calm you are always in a better position to handle whatever stressful situations you are dealing with. Strategy is to adopt a few regular stress relievers and a few healthy lifestyle habits to reduce your overall stress. (Singh is a Chandigarh based
psychologist)
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Momentous journey
Once he got down to it, it took him only five months to write what has been in his mind for 67 years. A story that has been a part of his life, his youth and now his old age, when he is almost 85, took shape of words only now, "When people have conveniently forgotten the aftermath of Independence." The self-explanatory title of the book, 1947 A Short Story, is again Har Jagmandar Singh's choice. "Two instances in my life had a huge impact on my personality, one is riots of 1984 and other is Independence. The former I realised is still a part of recent history but 1947, the freedom movement associated with it and exodus from India and Pakistan has been almost forgotten."
It is a story of a family and how it deals with the tumultuous times. Harnam Singh, the protagonist's wife is about to deliver their first child but to secure her honour, she jumps into a canal. His sister, who is left behind, as the rest of the family migrates to India, changes her religion to Islam and marries one from the community. "It's a story about contradictions, how everything else takes a backseat and staying alive becomes the most important thing and how at times, honour becomes prime," says Harmandar who self-published the book with Patridge. The book in-between also alludes to factors that forced the partition. "It's sad to realise that how a few people drunk on power forced it on the people of two countries," says he, while adding that the present generation should know the past, to value the peaceful times. A retired professor, he hopes as general elections begin that people choose their leaders on the basis of merit and not caste or religion. "Or there will be no difference between the times of now and 1947."
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Twin melody
Loffer Beatz aka Rajat and Ranjha aka Karanveer are two 19-year-olds trying to make a name in the music industry. They are already out with their first album called 7 Stars, which has seven songs by different artistes. The album is out in the market, on i-tunes as well as social networking sites and they have just completed the formalities for the songs to be on air. The duo claim to have done everything right from the music to the video on their own! "We have earned all the money for this on our own," says Ranjha, who has composed music and directed the video. Loffer is the lyricist who has done some rap for the album. Why rap? "Well, it's the form that's handy to convey what we want to — life that youngsters are leading today." While song Jawani is about a desi-girl-turned modern, Teri ruh de ashiq soniye is about a heart break. "We want to do songs that the young relate to." Any abuses in the songs? "Not so far." How about recent songs that use abusive language? "To each his own! The success comes to those who work hard." Inspired by Bohemia, the two who are pursuing their bachelors, want to make a mark in music only. And how do they intend to make their mark in this highly competitive field? "There are lots of singers but almost all are churning out the same stuff. We want to make our own identity by creating unique music." mona@tribunemail.com
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Perhaps it is the way he wears his unabashed audacity in his ostentatious disposition that catches your attention. As always, Mika Singh remains flawlessly honest and candid; a quality of a character that is quite a rarity. In Chandigarh to perform with Abhishek Malhotra, the winner of Idea Rocks India, Mika exchanges a rather interesting, if not controversial banter with us just before he hits the stage. Dressed in a fancy blue coat and of course his never-seen-without shades, Mika speaks of his recently released single with Honey Singh titled Dama dum mast kalandar. 
Charity on birthday: Donate white clothes/ school dress / edible items to the needy or in a religious place today.
April is the Stress Awareness month, so it really is the time to focus on stress. It is necessary to focus on the role that stress plays in your life. There are many strategies that can help us get rid of stress, reshape our lives and help set us up for greater health and happiness. We need to go through an inner transformation and allow the month of April to gear us up for some happy times through the year.
