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Till death do us part
As Archie Comics Co-CEO and publisher announced the tragic death of the most popular comic hero, it left many a fan upset, seeking justification of why the character is being laid to rest while some recount how life was with Archie around. Archie fans from around the world have raised their objection to his dying on social networking sites. Bollywood celebrities too expressed their grief and shock. If for Rohit Roy, a TV star, death of Archie means, 'Another part of my already fading childhood dying (sic)', for stand-up comedian and actor Vir Das, it's a chance to show his comic prowess and contemplate who committed the crime, "I think Mr Cooper Kills Archie. Meri Betty Ki Khushi…I'm sorry (sic)." Like him, Cyrus Sahukar, a host and actor, also fed on Archie initially to chisel his funny bone. "It's terrible to know that Archie is dying. I fail to understand the reason behind taking such an extreme step," Cyrus says. While he is a bigger fan of Jughead, he says that Archie comics without Archie would never be the same. It was Archie comics that helped his generation make inroads into the Western culture. "In fact, the concept of Pop Dates, an eating joint in Delhi was inspired from the Archie Comics," Cyrus shares. It still is Archie, his antics and friends that have got many a youngster interested in reading. Mehakdeep Kaur, a class XI student, credits her love for reading to Archie, a character she absolutely adores. "His best personality trait is that there is nothing superhuman about him. He is stupid but adorable. Also, he represents the epic confusion, a boy caught between two girls, at best." Mehak has read almost all editions of Archie that hit the stores in the last ten years. Even after Archie ceases to be a character, she says she will continue to be a die-hard fan of the comics. Post Archie's death, she is curious to know how Betty, Veronica and other friends will cope up with the loss. Also, which character will take over as the lead. While Archie's fans continue to cringe about the loss, Reeti Singh, mother to an 11-year-old, was worried about how she would break the news to her daughter, a class VI student and an ardent Archie fan. When finally she did, Gia, who studies in Welham Girl's School, Dehradun, was devastated. "I am still shocked at the news of Archie's death. They can't be doing this to a character which is so genuine, so endearing," Gia says with the hope that Archie would make a comeback. The aftereffects of Archie's death will only come to fore with the July edition, maybe there is a pleasant surprise in store but till then Archie, RIP.
ashima@tribunemail.com
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Band baja boyz
It is true when they say that music transcends all barriers, even those, which are created by boundaries. In conversation with Ragaboyz, a Pakistan-based fusion band, we decipher a striking paradox that defies all stereotypes associated with the relations between India and Pakistan.
The band members seem to be in awe of Bollywood music, of which they also have been a part of. Remember the song "Mann Qunto Maula" from the film Maximum (2012)! Comprising three brothers, Nayab Ali (25), Wali Hamid Ali (24) and Inam Ali (21), the band, Ragaboyz, is essentially a fusion band, which holds a strong footing on the foundation of classical music and builds up on heavy metal rock. Nevertheless, there are traces of neo-classical Sufi music, which evolve in parts as far as their vocal calibre stands questioned. Belonging to the Patiala Gharana, Wali defines the core of his music, "We are the ninth generation musicians and our lineage dates way back to Ustad Kaluji (Durbar Gayak of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh), followed by his sons and the greatest singers of that era—Ustad General Ali Baksh and Ustad Badey Fateh Ali Khan." He adds, "Our family continued with the descendants and pioneers of modern classical music like Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan, Ustad Akhtar Hussain Khan, and his sons Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and the living legend of Pakistan, Ustad Hamid Ali Khan (our father)." His brother Nayab backs him, "Also, our family is the only one from Pakistan to be awarded with five Padam Shri and two Pride of Performance awards." Though music comes pretty naturally to them, Wali shares that their father did not quite like idea of forming a band. "In 2006 when we told our father that we wanted to form a fusion band he was really apprehensive that we might totally take to pop music and lose interest in our roots, which is classical music," he says. "However, we wanted to prove ourselves. In the show organised by our family, which was a tribute paid to Amanat Ali Khan (my uncle), without telling our father, we went to the concert and performed a song there. The first reaction that we got was immediately post our performance, when the manager said that the audience wanted us back on stage. That's when our father confided in our ideology of music," he states. Since they started, the boys have been performing across the globe, including Wembley Arena (London), Radio City Music Hall (New York), Diamond Harbour (Sidney), Saudi Arabia (Jeddah), where music is considered a taboo and they have performed there thrice on the request of a royal family. Also, the band emerged as the winner in Asia Pacific Youth Arts Festival in China, 2008, where they competed with singers from 30 countries. "It's been a long journey since we started, but all along we have been irrevocably in love with the Bollywood music. We are in talks with Farah Khan, who wants us to sing a song for her next film. Also, we will be singing a song in Remo d'Souza's next film, Amar Must Die," says Nayab. He adds, "In Pakistan, the music scene is no different from India, just that Bollywood has a huge fan following there." The band has already released its two albums, titled Yeh Jaan Lo and a single Zindagi. "There are still two albums in the pipeline, one which is a Sufi rock edition that will feature kalams, taranas, and khayals by Baba Bulle Shah and Baba Farid, while the other one will be a Sufi trance album," Wali signs
off. amarjot@tribunemail.com
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I wouldn’t call myself a star: Varun
Young actor Varun Dhawan, whose fan following seems to have increased following his latest release Main Tera Hero, wants to avoid calling himself a "star". He says that establishing a connect with the audience will always be of importance for him. "I wouldn't call myself a star. Not now, not ever," said Varun, who made his debut with Student Of The Year. He answers our question:
Main Tera Hero (MTH) is a success and you now seem to have fans in all age groups? Very honestly, the hero in this film is my father David Dhawan. We promoted the film like crazy. Nowadays, the pressure's on an actor on how to market a film is excruciating. There wasn't so much pressure to promote my first film Student Of The Year. Dharma Productions was the hero of that film and Karan Johar was there with the three of us — Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt and me to promote the film. Karan made sure everything went right. With MTH, the pressure was fully on me to sell the film to the audience. Couldn't have been an easy
place to be in? There were times when I had to force my eyelids apart. But when I saw those expectant crowds at the promotional events just waiting for a glimpse of the actors, one couldn't go in front of them all droopy and tired. The hallmark of a true star? I wouldn't call myself a star. Not now, not ever. I'm here because I love the movies. I am not here to make money. By god's grace I don't have to worry about my next 4,000 meals. At the same time, I am not here to do charity either. But my relationship with the audience will always be more important than all other considerations. I've to make sure of that. You seem to have established the same kind of connect with the audience as Govinda did in your father's films. Does that comparison annoy you? Not at all. If anything, it is unfair to an actor of Govinda's stature and durability. At the same time, I do realise that all newcomers are compared with established actors. And because MTH is a full-on David Dhawan film, the kind that my father did with Govinda, the comparisons are inevitable. MTH is very different from its source of origin - the Telugu film Kandireega. The style of storytelling and packaging is full-on David Dhawan. You've caught the flavour of David Dhawan's cinema bang-on? I had to. Otherwise I'd have been thrown out of the film. He was very strict with me during the shooting. Out of the 60 days that we shot MTH, I was on tenterhooks for 45 days. Did that bother you initially? Yes, it did. Not that I expected to be pampered. But I expected to be treated normally. But he was being extra-strict with me. Now when I see the film, I realise why he behaved the way he did. My father has 42 films behind him. He knew exactly what he was doing and why he needed to make sure that I worked harder than all his other heroes. He just threw me in the deep end of the water and let me learn to swim my way out. Either I swam or I
drowned. — IANS
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Woody Allen doesn’t consider himself a good actor
Woody Allen is a name synonymous with Hollywood. His rich history in movies is something the world is familiar with. As a director, Woody
has created magic for close to 50 years, but it is those rare occasions he treats the audiences with his acting prowess that leaves everyone delighted usually in his own trademark films.
Making a rare exception, Woody will soon be seen donning the hat of just an 'actor' in John Turturro's directorial Fading Gigolo alongside the smoking pair of Sharon Stone and Sofia Vergara. Turturro who did what many would consider a rare achievement recently got candid speaking of Woody's intimidating aura he spreads on the sets of a movie. However Turturro had a rather interesting piece of information to share when asked of Woody's awareness of the intimidating effect he has on people around him, he said, "I think when he's (Woody) a director, yes
and he takes that very seriously. But he doesn't think very highly of himself as an actor." Now that's a rather interesting aspect to someone like Woody, who has acted for as long as he's directed and has made a name
like none can even begin to imagine.
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All is well
Actor-producer Abhay Deol has dispelled rumours about his reported money troubles following the debacle of his debut production One By Four.
There were reports that the 38-year-old actor was broke after the unsuccessful run of his maiden production at the box office and had mortgaged one of his apartments in Mumbai but Abhay says it is a regular loan.
"I have taken a regular loan but sometimes media becomes the judge and the jury. I took a loan after Dev D also but they would not report that because the film was a hit," Deol said in an interview. "Sometimes you take a small loan because your money is constantly invested here and there. It is a normal procedure. I am certainly not broke," the actor said. When asked what went wrong with One by Four, in which he starred alongside real-life girlfriend Preeti Desai, Abhay, who is known for his out-of-the-box films like Socha Na Tha, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, Dev D and Shanghai, said probably his fans were not expecting a commercial film from him. "Well, it is hard to really put a finger on it. The feedback that I got from people was that they were used to seeing me in edgy roles as against commercial ones. "It is like being between a rock and a hard place because on one hand investors would not put their money in a risky project and on the other hand my audience want me to be part of such movies. I think I will have to keep doing what I was doing at the beginning of my career," he said. In his most recent outing Raanjhnaa he donned the role of a young student leader and socialist, who was not the central character in the film. The actor said that he wants to keep doing both commercial and off-beat films in order to maintain a balance in his career. "I am not 'know it all'. But I think I should balance it out by taking risk in one film and doing a safe project. Lot of people liked me in Manorama Six feet Under, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, Dev D and Shanghai and the only common thing in all these films is that when we were making them we never thought they would work. The ones that did not work were safe films," he said. Abhay is currently working on three films and One By Two has not put him off from producing.
— PTI
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A Delhi boy at heart
Sidharth Malhotra, who shifted base from the capital to the country's entertainment capital Mumbai, says while Mumbai has made him what he is today, he's still a Delhi boy at heart.
"I was lucky to come in (to Mumbai) at a time when they (people) were looking for new talent. I have done my share of auditions. I have evolved and changed over the period and Mumbai has a lot to do with that," the 29-year-old said at the unveiling of the cover a magazine featuring him. "Mumbai has added so much to my personality, the exposure that you get and people you meet, the professionalism here, which we should have in Delhi. But I am still a Delhi boy at heart and Delhi is my home but Mumbai is great too," he added. Sidharth says being an outsider made things tough for him when he first came to Mumbai to become an actor. But hard work and focus helped. "It's always tough when you come from a different town, you don't know anybody and don't have any family...no support system, professionally or personally. Mumbai is a tough city but it has given me everything today. It requires you to be a little patient, to be focussed and to work hard," Sidharth said. Sidharth made his debut with Student of The Year in 2012 and was last seen in Hasee Toh Phasee. His next is Mohit Suri's Ek Villain where he will be seen in a grey character. It also stars Shraddha
Kapoor. — IANS
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Kangana’s killer kiss
"In one scene, Kangana is arrested and is on her way to jail. She requests for some time to attend to an urgent matter and drags Vir Das to a room and kisses him so wildly that his lips start bleeding! No actress till date has portrayed such a 'manizing character'," a source said in a statement. Set for an April 25 release, the film will present Kangana as an extremely dominating and aggressive woman, in contrast to her role in her latest hit Queen.
— IANS
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Parental pressure
Actress Jennifer Garner feels that her actor-director husband Ben Affleck is competitive when it comes to kid's basket ball games. Garner, 41, who has three children with Affleck, said he freaks out when he attends daughter Violet's basketball games.
"I clap for everyone who makes a shot on either team because I feel like, good shot, great job. Meanwhile, he's freaking out and I'm constantly like, 'stop it!' "You know, he'll be saying, 'she's open! Do you see she's open?!' It's like, 'Ben, they're eight. You're yelling at an 8-year-old little girl. She will see that Violet is open and she will get the ball to her when it's appropriate'," she said. Garner is currently shooting her new football movie Draft Day while Affleck will soon begin filming Batman.
— PTI
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Arjun scores over Alia
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who watched his daughter Alia Bhatt's third film 2 States, is happy to see her playing a different role. But it's her co-star Arjun Kapoor who stole the filmmaker's heart.
"2 States - Alia is fantastic in a startlingly different role. But it is Arjun who stole my heart and made me weep. He is a star! It's a winner," Mahesh posted on Twitter Monday. The film, based on Chetan Bhagat's bestseller by the same name, revolves around a Punjabi boy, who falls in love with a Tamil girl. The regional and cultural clash that it leads to is what forms the rest of the story. It will hit theatres Friday.
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Some serious sightseeing
Veteran actress- social activist Shabana Azmi has packed her bags for some "serious sightseeing" in Egypt and she will be accompanied by her husband and veteran writer-lyricist Javed
Akhtar.
"Javed and I (are) off to Luxor after spending three glorious days in Cairo. It's the first time we are doing some serious sightseeing. Feel like tourists," Shabana, 63, tweeted Monday. The couple is in the Egyptian cities for 'India by the Nile' — the largest Indian festival in Egypt.
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Big day planning!
Socialite Kim Kardashian reportedly sleeps in a corset to lose weight. Kim will soon marry rapper-fiance Kanye West and she is said to be sleeping in a corset to look perfect.
"Kim wants her figure to look absolutely perfect on her wedding day. Wearing a corset at night is extremely uncomfortable but has a proven record of results, and with six weeks to go, Kim is up for anything," said a source.
— IANS
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On a positive note
Gaurav Choudhary has been garnering praise for his role of Parmeet in Bani - Ishq Da Kalma. Though he was surprised to see his role turn negative, but now he is happy about it.
How is it playing a negative character? When I joined the show, I wasn't told that mine would be a negative role. I thought I would be playing an anti-hero, who would turn positive eventually. I was a surprised to know that my character has shades of grey. But later on, I had a discussion with senior actors who told me not to worry and it would work only in my favour. Bani decided to make her husband pay after she was tortured by him. Do you think showing the domestic violence and then retribution creates awareness among the audiences? Yes. Television has a great reach and showing that no crime goes unpunished is a message that is carried forward. Such instances do create awareness among women and men. When there are four characters in a show, is there pressure to prove your worth? I was in the show since the beginning but my main track started from November. Since then I have been playing the anti-hero. I don't like to compete with people. I have been doing my job well and people are appreciating my work, which is the biggest reward. Tell us something about yourself? I am a qualified engineer from Delhi. In my family, education is very important. I had some dreams, so I told my father to give me two years to try my luck in acting. And here I am. Did you always want to be an actor? I always wanted to be an actor. I would watch anchors and actors on TV, who inspired me. For now, I want this show to be the best. I want to work harder on it. Later on, I would love to do reality shows and movies.
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The bad-bad brigade
Watch Alka Kaushal play Raziya in Qubool Hai and you would realise she has got into the skin of the character. She is sweet and yet very cunning. Raziya likes things to be done her way and doesn't shy away even from killing someone to get her work done.
She plays the vicious mother-in-law who has got the gift of gab. The talented Ananya Khare has added a new flavour to the role of a vamp in Rangrasiya. Her acting skills are being praised by one and all.
With a talented actor like Ashwini Kelsakar, you know the character will be multi-layered. As Mahamanga in Jodha Akbar, she is strict, loving, conniving and plots evil plans. Her range of moods adds a lot to the show.
Sophisticated, cultured and elegant, Suchitra Pillai plays the character of Suriaya, a conniving women who likes to control her family and children. In Beintehaa, Suchitra delivers vicious lines with great subtlety.
Ambika in Uttaran started off as a positive character but soon layers of her character started to unfold. She is in love with Akash and wants him at any cost. She tries killing Meethi with poison. Vividha otherwise looks very innocent.
Looks matter
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian is reportedly sleeping in a corset in order to look her best for her wedding to Kanye West next month.
The 33-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians star has been preparing for her upcoming nuptials, which is set to take place at a secret Paris location.
— PTI
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ASTRO TURF
ARIES: Take proper care of your diet. Love life will be exciting. Expecting women: Focus on your health. A friend of same sex may be helpful to you. Singles could be on the lookout for a partner. Tarot message: Do what is right and watch your interests.
Lucky colour: Yellow Magic number: 56
TAURUS: Make good use of the quite morning, and you will be well prepared for the rest of the day. Students: Mind your language. Recognition and rewards are on the cards. Tarot message: Be patient till things start moving in desired direction.
Lucky colour: Black Magic number: 38 GEMINI: The card "six of wands" will give you extra rewards. Try to keep your schedule varied and flexible rather than letting yourself get pinned down in one spot. Tarot message: Empty promises are certain, therefore try to put your terms and conditions in writing.
Lucky colour: Red Magic number: 40 CANCER: Your card the "Judgement" gives you strength and strong vision. Communication over legal matters and education can be held up or postponed and cause undue stress.Tarot message: Postpone work that requires concentration and physical efforts. Lucky colour: Crimson Magic number: 33 LEO: Today you will have difficulty in getting along with associates. Fraud and trickery could be the order of the day. Stop fretting unnecessarily.
Tarot message: Use careful judgment in handling issues involving property.
Lucky colour: Orange Magic number: 44 VIRGO: Health needs some care. Do not be in a hurry to get financial plans underway. You might be able to do yourself a bit of good with the help of influential people. Stay at home and relax with your loved ones. Tarot message: Plan your life to avoid the in build delays that come your way. Lucky colour: Beige Magic number: 59
LIBRA: Today you are likely going to spend money on astrology or philosophical books. Agreement made today can be very valuable to you. Later in the day, you should be able to get your ideas for home improvement. Tarot message: Be positive and things will fall in place. Lucky colour: Teal
Magic number: 63 SCORPIO: The day starts with smiles and cheers. Business affairs are under control. Friends are pleasant but not particularly significant. It's a good day to release anxiety, so stop holding on to old ideas. Tarot message: Take responsibility for your own action.
Lucky colour: Blue Magic number: 26 SAGITTARIUS: Meeting new people will bring delightful opportunity for romance. Get out and about early; activity and social interaction will do you a world of good. Tarot message: You shall prevent a lot of trouble by taking timely action.
Lucky colour: Violet Magic number: 54 CAPRICORN: The married will enjoy a pleasantly romantic phase at home. Take proper care of your health. Social life, political activity will bring recognition. Put off dicey deals.
Tarot message: Don't reveal your plans to your competitors. Lucky colour: Rust
Magic number: 40 AQUARIUS: Don't make any hasty decisions regarding your family matters. Younger member in the family may offer you a valuable advice. Defer a short journey. Get out and socialize. Heavy expenses frustrate you. Tarot message: Don't try to end the deadlock at one go.
Lucky colour: Grey Magic number: 33 PISCES: Dispute over a small issue is possible at your work place. Women: Don't use harsh words. It is probably in your best interest to see a nutritionist for a diet chart.
Tarot message: You gain by being practical; don't be emotional. Lucky
colour: Green Magic number: 48
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THE YEAR AHEAD
If your birthday is April 15...
Today your birthday falls on Lunar eclipse, which will not be visible in India. You are governed by the planet Venus and number 6. You are blessed with creative skills like art and music. Anything that is beautiful is a passion for you. Your intelligence and sharp memory will bring you success in your professional pursuits. You will gain high positions and earn a lot of money too. 15 is a number of occult significance, of magic and mystery. If associated with a fortunate single number, it can bevery lucky and power¬ful, but if associated with one of the peculiar numbers, such as 4 or 8, the person it represents will not hesitate to use bad tactics. Jupiter moves into your house of romance in July and will continue to bring you all the luck and goodness you need in the pleasure department. Positive colours: White, sea green, cream, light blue and rose Selected days: Friday, Thursday & Tuesday Favourable numbers: 5,6 Gems recommended: Diamond & emerald Charity on birthday: Donate saffron edible items to needy.
You share your birthday with Mandira Bedi (April 15, 1972, Mumbai) who got popular as Shanti. Mandira married director, Raj Kaushal, quite dramatically on Valentine's Day in 1999. Astrologically, she will make news in the coming time. Now, she has become a fashion designer as well.
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Are you too grieving the impending death of Archie? Are you too heart-broken by the news that the red-head, accident-prone, ever-drooling-over-girls character will no longer be a part of our lives? It was he, who taught the three generations of human race how fickle an emotion love is, how friends in need are the only friends indeed and it is while saving a friend that he will sacrifice his life.
Ever since the time Archie was introduced in 1941, the comic series has been a favourite with young readers. Ending his character means depriving the next generation of antics of a dumb-witted hero. "Be it Archie, Veronica or Betty, each character is so relatable. I always wanted Betty to score over Veronica and whenever the latter won Archie, I felt cheated," says Honey Sandhu, an Archie fan and a businesswoman, who hopes that the creative team of the comics reviews its decision to kill Archie. She says that Archie usually introduces children to reading. "You so much fall in love with Archie that even after you graduate to non-fiction and serious reading, you can't give up Archie." 
She is playing a wild character in Revolver Rani and true to her role Kangana Ranaut got aggressive while locking lips with her co-star Vir Das for a scene, said a source. Apparently, the actress kissed him so wildly that his lips began to bleed.
Double shaded
All about talent
At her best
Seasoned actor
Role reversal