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Struck by luck
Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans! This certainly holds true for Mansha Bahl. This Delhi girl was screaming on top of her voice on a shopkeeper, when someone passing by told her, "Hey, you look pretty." Mansha reverted, "Mind your own business." The gentleman handed over his card and asked her to search his name on Google." Fight over.
Mansha later found that he was director Kabir Sadanand. Clearing the auditions, this Masters in psychology student became part of Kabir's Fugly. A year on, the film's shoot is over and it is set for release. Mansha, born to a Punjabi father and Kashmiri mother with relatives from parental side based in Chandigarh, shares excerpts from her journey so far. Two shades
It was a pure accident that I met director Kabir Sadanand. I cleared the auditions and post a three months workshop, we were shooting for Fugly. I play a Delhi girl Payal. While the young Payal is a crazy, mad girl, towards the end she turns into this serious doctor. I get to play two shades in my film, what more can I ask for? Young guns
My shooting schedule was in Delhi and Mumbai. Together as newcomers, the whole cast bonded well and we egged on each other. I became close to Viju (Vijender Singh) and Arfi (Lamba), who plays my fiancée in the film. My director was pretty strict, but since I was pretty active in dramatics in my college shooting came easy to me. Hands full
The acting bug has truly bit me now. I did a cameo in David Dhawan's Rascals as well. I have signed my next film, which is all set to hit the screens in July, but I have to wait till the official announcement to share any details. I can only tell you it's a very good production house. And, yes, I am pursuing my Masters too; I hope to finish it by next year. Delhi vs Mumbai
Delhi and Mumbai are two different worlds; I totally love Mumbai. Life's so fast-paced, everyone's in a rush, very unlike Delhi where people go with a steady flow. In Mumbai people are broad-minded, don't care about what you are doing, I like it but I also miss the warmth of Delhi folks. I have made some great friends here; Arpita Khan is one that I have really grown close to. I am a changed person as well, while I would earlier hog like a typical Punjabi-Kashmiri, now I only eat nutritious food and hit the gym daily. Dream on
I want to do more films now and experiment in each genre. If there is one person I really look up to in the industry, it is Salman Khan. He is really a great guy. And if I could choose my next hero, it's got to be Ranbir Kapoor. He is a fabulous actor, chooses his roles wisely and lifts a film with his performances. In the next ten years time, I want to be among the top five actresses of the country and be on the cover of every film magazine. mona@tribunemail.com
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Man of action
Shake his hand and the firm grip impresses at once. Big silver rings on his fist, a chain and Arabian shemagh around his neck tells you that this is the man of action indeed. Slap, punch, bang, wooph, crack! He is the one who brings the scene alive and makes you sit wide-eyed; blood rushing through your veins as the action happens on the screen!
Parvez Fazal Khan is not an action director by accident. He has worked as a stuntman, been bruised and punched. For him, fighting in front of the camera is not just a job or source of making a living, but a way of life. This has been so for generations for stuntmen of Hindi cinema. His father was a fight master, he has become an action director and his son is also in the same profession. "Contrary to popular perception, it is real hardcore action and real fight out there," he says. Parvez has been in the industry since late 1980's. Having learnt the art from many action directors, he considers Akbar Bakshi as his guru. After his demise, he stepped into the shoes of action director and since then directed action in more than 40 movies, including Gangster, Dev D and Bullet Raja. "A director has a vision for the scene, but we as action directors give the concrete shape to the vision and design action sequences. We add depth to the vision," he says. Currently working in Bollywood movie Jaane Kyun by Magic Dreams Production, he says that action sequences for each movie vary according to the story line and setting. Heroes like Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan and many others these days prefer to do their action sequences themselves, rather than using body doubles. "Even actresses have started doing their own action scenes. Even though action looks all the more dynamic and sophisticated on screen these days, it has become much safer for stuntmen. Fire suits and safety equipment is better. Earlier if someone had to jump from a height, people beneath used to hold a net and an error in their judgment used to prove fatal for the stuntmen. Now that is not the case. The addition of visual effects has also made it much easier as some of the action is done in the safer environment of a studio and images are added later. Having said that, action still is tough work," he shares. gurvinder@tribuenmail.com
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Cut by cut
As models strut past, grabbing all the limelight and showing a natural affinity for the camera, a group of youngsters huddle in a corner. They welcome those with inquiries but don't reach out to the media to market their work on their own. Marketing is not their forte, not yet at least; all they know is how to design garments! So, you see students of NIIFT eagerly waiting for the fashion show, Anukama to begin, for their clothes to take centrestage on the ramp, for their labels to be introduced to people around.
But as we said, business takes a backseat. Sukhwinder Singh, a student of the fashion institute in Mohali, has no plans to sell his collection. The capsule collection comprises five garments (each students has come up with an equal number of creations) and is inspired from the multiple reflections of the mirror. The sewing technique used to construct the design is interesting and the silhouettes are very commercial. "Yet I don't want to sell it. It's my first collection and is close to my heart. It has a sentimental value attached to it and I believe it will fetch me good luck." You venture forward to find a student, who wouldn't mind parting with the collection, bartering it with crisp currency notes. Ramneek Dua's collection is inspired by the Hasent Macau Bird and is titled Blue Charisma; she is happy to keep the collection with herself forever. The feather jacket by her would make for an interesting piece in the wardrobe that boasts of usual cotton or silk. The silhouettes are neat and the sleeveless jacket is certainly the winner in her collection. "I wouldn't ever sell any piece; it has an emotional value attached to it." Another collection that stands out is by Apoorva Jain. She has used digital prints of miniature paintings on the fabric. "I went to Delhi to get miniature paintings scanned, which I later got printed on the fabric." She spent ~20,000 on the entire collection and is she planning to put it on sale. "Yes my collection is expensive and I have to sell it to make money." The very practical answer is followed by an emotional one. "I have priced my creations in a way that I will be able to recover the principal amount." Making profit is not a part of the agenda though. "It would make me greedy if I add to the actual price," she says. Pratibha Thakur, another student, has designed creations taking a cue from the tribes of Thailand. Thus, there
are lots of colours and embroideries on the black base. The costing is different for different garments. The price for a dress is ~15000 and that, she says, is not overpriced. "I put in a lot of hard work." Now we see, some business taking place. But marketing will gradually happen, as the amateurs become professionals! ashima@tribunemail.com
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The best company
Divya Dutta My first trip abroad alone was to Japan when I was in class XII I was chosen to represent India for a Red Cross mutual cultural exchange programme. I was the only girl chosen from the country and it was a huge responsibility. So, I was tense. What made me even more nervous was the fact that I was travelling alone. My family came to see me off and I behaved like I was going forever! After getting off in Tokyo, I forgot all about it and got really busy with things. Debates, meetings with ambassadors, cultural activities, home stays…I barely got time to sleep. Language was a problem, but despite that I ended up making some lovely friends. Saying goodbye was tough again; it always is. A few memorable days and a bond for life. And a trophy won for the best representative! Coming home was as exciting. Many years later, now that I am an actor and have visited so many countries for my work, this particular trip to Beijing was special. In many ways, it reminded me of the trip to Japan. I was representing my country again this time, as an ambassador for Indian films. In the Indo-Chinese cultural summit, I took my film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag to showcase. My mom was to accompany me but due to some health issue at the last minute, she could not do so and I was travelling alone. After very long! After I landed, I somehow missed the two women who had come to receive me and saw a man holding a placard with my name written on it. I obviously thought he was the one sent for me and I started walking along with him. Midway, I just asked him if he was taking me to Marriot, my hotel, but he was clueless! I should have been nervous, but was strangely very calm. He could not understand English at all and we started gesturing. I gave him the written address and gestured him to show it to someone who could read English. Thankfully, my hotel was close and the driver dropped me safely. There were people waiting for me with the next day's itinerary - interviews, inauguration of the Indian pavilion, discussions with the ambassadors and more! I had my flight back the next night, so I planned to go sight-seeing in the morning. The organisers got me a Chinese girl for company! I was wondering what we would talk, but in no time we built a great chemistry while on our way to the Great Wall of China. Director Shyam Benegal had especially asked me to visit a special restaurant called the Peking Duck and I had the most wonderful time there. On my way back, the driver played Chinese songs and I enjoyed the beats. I had discovered this friend inside me who was nervous, yet excited. Life, of course, is a party provided you find the right companion. I found mine…within myself. (Dutta is a Bollywood actor)
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Fruity flavour
Manju Dewan Fruits, when 'dressed' up, always look much more attractive. That is why all five-star buffet spreads serve fruits in that fashion. Also when we serve something classy, which is not seasonal, it adds to the glam value of the dessert. Here is the recipe for orange cups with wafers although this recipe can be tried with any fruit.
orange cups with wafers
Ingredients
Method Cut the oranges into two. Scoop out the orange slices to make cups of orange peel. Mix together hung curd, orange essence and castor sugar. Put some mixed fruits in the orange cup. Pour hung curd over it. Garnish with strawberry slices, orange jelly and wafers. Chill and serve — As told to Poonam Bindra (Dewan is a Ludhiana-based culinary expert)
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Guilty pleasures
While the entire team of the new Lucknow-based show, Baawre, had a blast shooting the Lucknow, Akhlaque Khan, who essays the role of Azam in the show, went overboard to satiate his appetite for kebabs! Understandably, the young actor's stomach gave up to his desire to eat. "I just love new places and food, especially the kebabs. But, in Lucknow, my stomach surrendered, so I had to stop eating kebabs and switch over to khichdi, which was a punishment for me," he says. Khan is now waiting to go back to Lucknow for the next schedule, and he can't wait to get his hands on those kebabs again.
Celebrating the end
The unit of Jeannie Aur Juju shot the last episode of their show on June 2. They relived their memories of shooting together while cutting the cake. The show that was Indian adaptation of Hollywood show, I Dream of Jeannie, found was much appreciated by the audience.
Twice the fun
Get ready for the double dose of Amitabh Bachchan as he will be seen hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati and his debut show, Yuddh, on Sony entertainment channel. The promos of Yudhh have received a roaring response, while KBC registrations are still going on.
The chosen one
Though multiple names were being considered for the role of Akbar's evil stepmother, Maha Chuchak, Mita Vashisht has been signed up for the role. She was last seen in Surveen Guggal - Topper of the Year. It will be exciting to watch Ashvini Kalsekar and Mita's powerful performances together.
Bitten by the rumour bug
There were reports that Preetika Rao has not been getting along with her on-screen mother, Reva Babbar and Dimple Jhangiani, but Preetika is unfazed about the rumours and controversies surrounding her. She says that stories like these do not bother her, as she knows the
truth.
Guest appearance
Kapil Sharma will now be seen in Sasuraal Simar Ka as a guest judge in the ongoing track of the show. However, the comedian claims that he is not interested in doing the serial and that he loves live shows. He shares that comedy is quite challenging. We wonder about the movies that he will be acting in!
The chase begins…
Starting June 14, Life Ok's Shapath will start a new series called Most Wanted. The show will now focus on human villains as opposed to extra terrestrial ones in the earlier series. The episodes will be Dhoom style where the cops will chase criminals on bikes.
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Something is brewing, definitely!
Shahid Kapoor took birthday girl Sonakshi Sinha out for a long drive after her bash for close friends at a suburban restaurant. Both have denied dating each other.
Enrique loves bilingual songs
Enrique Iglesias admits that singing in both English and Spanish keeps him on top of his game as an artiste. The 39-year-old singer said the best thing about his latest record Sex and Love is its bilingual tracks which are fun to perform during his live gigs, reported a website. "I'm excited about my new album Sex and Love as it's only the second time I have released a mixed record in both Spanish and English. There is such a big Spanish-speaking audience, and of course that's where my career began. "I was always bilingual. I wrote a lot in Spanish, so now that we're well and truly in the digital era, I thought it was time. Having songs in both languages keeps me on my toes. It means that live, I can do a set list that's very eclectic. That, for me, is what keeps me going," he said. Iglesias also revealed that he writes most of his music in the middle of the night when he cannot sleep. "That's how a lot of my music comes to me. It can be frustrating, that waiting process - you can't push it. I'm an insomniac still, even when I'm not songwriting. But the best things always come at night," he added. — PTI
Woody Allen’s next
Filmmaker Woody Allen has opted to shoot his yet untitled film in Rhode Island, with shooting slated to start in July. Allen shot his last film, Magic in the Moonlight, on the French Riviera. His previous Blue Jasmine was shot in New York and San Francisco, reported a publication online. The movie is described as a contemporary story with academics, graduate students and middle and working-class characters. — PTI
Around the city...
Aditya Roy Kapur has a Royal Enfield bike and he recently purchased a Speed Triple of Triumph. He has been taking it on roads across Mumbai. Many of his lucky fans are happy to spot him in public. Yet another biker boy in B-town.
A couple of moments
Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor, who are currently shooting in South Africa for Jagga Jasoos, managed to sneak some private moments from their busy schedule, but couldn't escape the prying eyes of the media as they were spotted hanging out together.
A delicious set
The set of Kill Dil had six hundred real cakes used for a song titled Happy Birthday, sung by Sukhwinder Singh. The cast and crew enjoyed the cakes after the shoot. Imagine shooting with the smell of delicious cakes all around.
KJo’s blue- eyed boy
Sidharth Malhotra will get busy with Punit Malhotra's Warrior and Vikramaditya Motwane's Bhavesh Joshi this year. Both films are produced by Karan
Johar.
Here comes the brother!
Parineeti Chopra's brother Sahej is an assistant director on Daawat-E-Ishq. He got to learn a lot from Habib Faisal and was just like any other assistant on the sets.
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Of B-town boys & hands-on training
Stable and steady
He assisted his father and other directors on Salaam-e-Ishq, Shakti: The Power and Kal Ho Naa Ho before getting a break in Ishaqzaade. Interestingly, during the shoot of Salaam-e-Ishq, Arjun used to call Priyanka Chopra 'madam' and later they became co-stars.
The right lessons
Both of them debut together in Student of the Year and prior to that, both of them assisted Karan Johar on My Name Is Khan. The two actors had a hands-on practical knowledge on the sets, which helped them later as actors.
Stroke of luck He worked as an assistant with his friend Shaad Ali on Bunty Aur Babli. He assisted Aditya Chopra as well before his big break with Band Baaja Baaraat. He was very clear that he did not want to show his face in ads before his big screen debut.
Catching them young
The Kapoor scion assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Black, along with Sonam Kapoor, before they both debuted in Saawariya. Ranbir had also assisted on some home productions. Since Kapoor was always into Bollywood, it only made sense for him to train on the same lines.
Limelight for an aimless!
He was aimless in life before he got into films. He was an assistant director on the sets of many Vishesh Films, including Raaz in 2002 and he made his debut with Footpath within a couple of years. Then Murder happened and the rest is history.
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The year ahead
If your birthday is June 5...
Number 5 symbolises intelligence, willingness, geniality, and individuality. The geometrical shape of the pentagram represents the positive or negative value of the number five, which implies that if the pentagram is upright, it has a positive value and when it is upside down, it has a negative value. You are an air sign, Gemini, ruled by Mercury, so your main characters are dualism and contradictory nature. Involve yourself in some donation and charity work for mental peace. You will be involved with many new financial schemes. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before making any commitment. This year is not good for students. Health needs attention. Those, who have heart diseases or are diabetic, should be careful. Positive colours: Green, turquoise, sea green, blue, and all shades of green Select days: Wednesday and Friday Favourable numbers: 5 and 6 Gems recommended: Emerald, onyx and ruby
You share your birthday with Rambha or Vijaya Lakshmi (June 5, 1976, Vijayawada), who has acted in over hundred South Indian films and in some Bollywood films too. Her career may rise in 2014 according to her significant numbers, 5 and 7.
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Astro turf
ARIES: Love life will be exciting. A friend will be very helpful. Financial matters may come under strain. Singles could be on the lookout for a partner and they might just
find one. Tarot message: Do what is right and watch your best interests. TAURUS: Make good use of the morning in order to be prepared for the rest of the day. Do not neglect personal relations. You will receive recognition for your efforts and rewards for the same. GEMINI: "Six of wands" will give you extra rewards. Try to keep your schedule varied and flexible rather than letting yourself get pinned down at one spot. A female co-worker could be jealous of your achievements. Tarot message: Put your terms and conditions in writing. CANCER: "The judgement" gives you strength and strong vision. Communication over legal matters, travel plans, and education can be held up or postponed, which can cause undue stress. LEO: Today, you may have some difficulty getting along with your associates. Fraud and trickery could be the order of the day. Women: avoid over-eating and gossiping. VIRGO: Health needs attention. Do not be too much in a hurry to get financial plans underway. You might be able to do yourself a bit LIBRA: You are likely to spend money on astrology or philosophical books. An agreement made today can be very valuable to you. Personal and business partnerships will go just fine. Tarot message: You find within yourself a fountainhead of a will power.
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. A romantic overture to your working day might give you plenty to think. Tarot message: Take responsibility for your actions. SAGITTARIUS: Meeting new people will bring delightful opportunity for romance and minor flirtation. The energy of the day is suited to involving yourself in creative pursuits. Tarot message: You shall prevent a lot of trouble by taking timely action. CAPRICORN: Avoid speculation today. The married will enjoy a pleasantly romantic phase. Take proper care of your health. Social life or political activity will bring recognition. Put off dicey deals. AQUARIUS: Do not rush into making any hasty decisions regarding family matters. Younger member in the family may offer you a valuable piece of advice. Defer a short journey. Adjust your plans for your lover. Tarot message: Do not try to solve all problems at one go. Lucky colour: Grey PISCES: There is a possibility of a dispute over small issues at workplace. Women: Do not use harsh words. Heavy expenses will frustrate you. Mixed trends will prevail through out the day. Health needs attention. Tarot message: You gain by being practical, so do not be emotional. Lucky colour: Green |
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Like it or not, we have played havoc with our nature and have to wage a war to make amends. Closer home, right from Amitabh Bachchan to Madhuri Dixit to Vidya Balan have stood up for the environmental cause. Dia Mirza, John Abraham, Milind Soman, and 'foreign' entrant Veena Malik have got public attention due to the Narmada Bachao Andolan, Greenathon, Earth Hour, Saving Tiger and Asian elephant.
2 oranges
Charity on birthday: You may donate cooked sweets or yellow rice to the poor.