As YouLike It 
What gives Punjabi singers the biggest kick other than chart-busters? The soaring number of 'Likes' in their FB pages! But most of them had a shock recently when the Facebook authority removed the verification blue tick from their official pages 
Jasmine Singh

Verified
GIPPY GREWAL
GIPPY GREWAL

NEERU bAJWA
NEERU bAJWA

rOSHAN PRINCE
rOSHAN PRINCE

JAZZY B
JAZZY B

Could you think three things that Punjabi singer actors crave for? We bet you have a tailor-made answer ready-name, fame and money. Pretty much this, but then there is one more thing that they really makes their day, that gives that extra adrenaline rush, something that can make neighbours (competitors) jealous and something that can bring in more business. It is the 'increase in the number of 'Likes' on their FB page." Oh! yes, if one celebrates likes, the other one wants to touch the coveted number.

It is pretty recent that the FB pages of many popular and well-known Punjabi singers have been unverified. There could be many reasons for this action-'fake likes', merger of fake accounts into the genuine one, could possibly be the second reason, or probably through whom were they verified.

This, however, brings the importance of 'likes' in the limelight. It has become such a loved and vied word in the Punjabi entertainment industry that singer actors wouldn't mind taking the short cut to increase the existing number to a healthier one. So, we decide to ask the singer actors on their fixation with the likes on their FB pages, and are they going any far to increase the numbers.

Like me, like me not

Well, it isn't a secret that most Punjabi singer actors handle their own FB accounts, post pictures, news and almost always reply to their fans. And when it comes to the likes on their page, it is always the more the merrier. Actor Kartar Cheema who has 328,506 likes on his FB page definitely takes the number seriously. "The number is directly proportional to the number of people who like us, at the same time I like to keep it genuine. The trend of fake likes is not unheard of, but I would rather know my fan base through a genuine number."

FB pages are treated as an important document; celebrities give away the information on their professional deals, live shows, films, friends and much more. The whole idea is to reach out to maximum fans and increase their fan base.

unverified
aMMY vIRK
aMMY vIRK

jASSI gILL
jASSI gILL

rANJIT bAWA
rANJIT bAWA

kANWAR GREWAL
kANWAR GREWAL

Singer actor Preet Harpal has 25,000 likes on his page. A number which is comparatively, looking at the lakhs that his counterparts have. Preet laughs on the mention, "If I increase this number to 40 lakh, I would never come to know the number of real fans. I would think 40 lakh people like me and tomorrow if I do a show and not even 500 people turn up, I would be really disappointed."

Jokes apart, Preet wants the likes on his page to be a reflection of his real popularity. "Let it be in thousands, at least I know where I stand," he candidly puts forth.

Cut to cut

It is the fans who decide the popularity of a singer. It is the fans who make them stars. And social networking site is a channel to connect and garner fans. Singer actor Hardy Sandhu also believes in the retaining of the genuine number. "A bigger number looks great, but it is far away from reality. What would I do with a number like that," adds the singer who has more than 11 lakh likes on his page.

Nothing fake about them

Gippy Grewal is one of the countable singers whose page has not been unverified along with Jazzy B, Neeru Bajwa, Roshan Prince.

Not real

A good number OF punjabi singer actors had to see the blue strip being removed from their pages.

Official status

A 'Verified' facebook page plays an important role in identifying the original page of a celebrity. This ensures you are getting in touch with the right person, and sudden Unverification can also lead to the drop in social media involvement.

A secular script
Script writer Anjum Rajabali, who gave us films like Aarakshan, Rajneeti, Chakravyuh and Ghulam, highlights the issues that mar our society through his creative abilities
Somya Abrol

Anjum Rajabali Being in the business of entertainment, it's difficult to come across an 'artist' whose agenda is not dictated by, well, business. Script writer Anjum Rajabali, however, has always aimed at highlighting issues that mar our society through his scripts, and has found a creative outlet, and friendship, in directors like Prakash Jha and Rajkumar Santoshi.

Screenplay writer for movies such as Aarakshan, Rajneeti, Chakravyuh, Ghulam, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Satyagraha and Pukar, among others, Rajabali believes in doing his bit beyond the reel too. In April this year, he filed an appeal to spread awareness about secularism in the country and received support from the likes of Zoya Akhtar, Imtiaz Ali, Kabir Khan, Nandita Das, Aditi Rao Hydari, Mahesh Bhatt and Shubha Mudgal. There was, however, a section of the society that wasn't exactly pleased with his appeal. He talks about his relationship with Jha, the appeal on secularism and more.

All of your ventures with Prakash Jha have garnered critical acclaim. How do you define your relationship with the director?

There are two directors that I've worked substantially with, Rajkumar Santoshi and Prakash Jha. Some of those films have worked out okay, some haven't. The most important relationship in the entire filmmaking process is actually that of the director with the script. However, before the director takes over the script to transform it into celluloid, he has to absorb and interpret the vision that the writer is proposing for the script. Hence, it is critical that the two of them are on the same wavelength. I personally am very sensitive about who I work with, as it demands very close and vigorous interaction. Prakash and I have been collaborating since 2002. For Gangaajal and Apaharan, I was his script consultant, and then we co-wrote Raajneeti, Aarakshan, Chakravyuh and Satyagraha together.

Tell us a little about Cinerise.

The Mumbai Mantra Cinerise initiative is a substantial programme for new and aspiring screenwriters. One aspect of the Cinerise programme is to offer these new writers guidance and intensive mentoring on their stories. For this, we are requesting senior screenwriters and writer-directors to pitch in and be mentors to these youngsters. So, 100 stories will be selected from 500-odd applications that we have received. These 100 will receive feedback and critiques from seniors with suggestions on how to develop their stories into scripts. Each participant will receive five exclusive sessions of three hours each with different advisors. This should help them revise and rewrite their script into a final draft. Now, the other difficulty that so many writers complain about is that after completing their scripts they don't know how to approach studios or producers or directors. Hence, the final stage of the Cinerise process is to organise a pitching event, where these selected writers will get to meet and pitch their scripts at studios, producers, directors, festival organisers etc to see if they may be interested, and if so, offer them a contract to take the film rights of the script.

What's your take on secularism? What made you take on the appeal?

Secularism means the freedom to believe in and practice one's religion, and not be discriminated against because of it. India has been a secular country; else we would never have been able to contain the tremendous diversity that our society has. This pluralism is, in fact, our strength and it is impossible for us to imagine India as anything but multi-cultural. The appeal was issued by some of us merely to bring back the factor of secularism into the pre-election discourse, as we noticed that this was not even being discussed. It is obvious this is the India that Indians want and hence we just thought that we would remind our fellow citizens and our political candidates that they need to hold this idea central when thinking of the future of our country.

What's your take on people from the fraternity condemning your appeal?

See, the film industry is a large community and is made up of as much diversity as our society is. Hence, debate, dissent, disagreements are bound to be there, and that is essential to the health of the social fabric of the fraternity. And, given that at election time people usually react with intensity, there were some sharp reactions. None of them were really unexpected. Without disagreement, how can there be a debate, after all! So, I'd say it was a good thing that our expression generated some discussion within and outside the film industry.

What should we look forward to next?

Currently, I'm writing a script for Mahesh Mathai (who had made Bhopal Express some years ago) and another one for Shaji Karun (the director of Piravi and Vanaprastham).

somya@tribunemail.com

the ‘in’ side
A pet on the back! 
Sukhmani

For those of us who love pets, bringing home a pet is similar to bringing home a new member of the family. Pets easily find their way in our hearts with their playful antics and friendly companionship. When you first bring a new pet into your home, it is imperative that you make some adjustments to your living space. A lot of stylish people are letting their houses go to the dogs and the cats- without sacrificing style or comfort. Instead of banishing their furry friends to the yard, many pet owners are decorating and remodeling their living spaces with their pets' needs in mind, turning pet-friendly decorating into a full-blown trend.

You can now own a pet and have a stylish home at the same time, here is how-

Flooring: Bare floors are the way to go, but bare doesn't have to be boring. Painted concrete looks lovely and durable. The best floor is ceramic tile because it's easy to clean and resistant to any stain an animal can dish out. Tile is toenail-proof, makes a room look sleek and elegant and gives furry animals a cool place to nap during hot weather. Porous materials like marble or other natural stones aren't as pet-proof. Linoleum flooring is becoming popular among designers because it has anti-microbial properties, it's easy to maintain and it is more environmentally sustainable than vinyl flooring. Wood floors, too, are easier to maintain if you have a pet. Pick light to medium finishes, lower-luster glosses or distressed woods to help minimize scratches from pet nails. Wall-to-wall carpets are a big no. Carpets absorb odors, traps pet hair and soaks up inevitable pet-related stains like a sponge. If you must have a carpet, choose a low pile.

Fabrics: Use stain resistant fabrics. Synthetic fabrics are resistant to stains, smells, bacteria and muddy paws. Leather is another good choice, easy to clean and durable.

Decor: Fragile items and animals don't mix. One bat of a dog's tail or swat of a cat's paw will send your collection skittering across the room like bowling pins. Put everything beyond their reach.

Wall paint: Flat-finish paint is nearly impossible to clean; try to wipe off a dirty spot and some of the paint comes off as well, leaving an unsightly mark that must be repainted. Semi-gloss is the easiest to wipe down. Satin or eggshell finishes are as elegant as they are easy to clean.

Pet doors: If you work long hours or spend a lot of time away from home, pet doors can be a great way to make sure your dog isn't stuck inside the house for hours on end.

Childproof locks: Childproof latches can be useful when you have a puppy or kitten that is fascinated with getting into cupboards. It's important to keep pets from getting into food, cleaners and medicines.

Wires: Remember that cats and dogs like to chew on electrical cords, so tuck them away, unplug them or use plastic covers that snap over them. Child gates are an easy way to keep your dog away from certain areas of the house.

Screens: Dogs lack our sense of height and depth. If you live in a high-rise building or if your dog has access to second-story windows and decks, use screens and safely spaced bars to prevent jumping or accidental falls.

Garden: A lot of plants, shrubs and trees are poisonous to dogs. You should always discourage your puppy from chewing anything that it finds in the garden. Mistletoe, poinsettia, lily, azalea, daffodil, tomato, foxglove, yew, hydrangea etc are plants to be avoided if your pet loves to eat plants.

Remember "If a house doesn't work with dogs, it won't work with children"

(Sukhmani is a Chandigarh-based interior decorator and landscape designer)

Hair is how
Poonam Bindra

Youngsters, who want to do their bit for society, do find unique ways of doing it.

We have heard of blood donation which has helped save many lives but another unique way of helping the unfortunate ones is donating one's hair. Empathising with the plight of her maternal grandmother who was a cancer patient, a Ludhiana law student, presently studying in Pune, decides to chop off her lovely tresses and donate the hair to be made into wigs for those who lose their hair while undergoing chemo therapy session.

"Hair is a woman's beauty symbol and I always thought how any underprivileged woman would be able to afford such costly wigs. Then I came across this NGO—Hair for Hope, which makes wigs free of cost for cancer patients and then after contacting them I headed for the parlour with a bag in hand," says Inayat.

We are informed that the main centres are in Kerala and Dubai but awareness camps are held over the country. It requires more courage to donate hair than blood for it will take long to grow back. As a media graduate too, Inayat Dhanda has also made documentaries and written articles to collect funds for cancer patients but as the young one puts it "the act of donating a part of myself - my hair has given me the utmost satisfaction and a also given me a sense of power for if I can make somebody happy, then I am powerful" There is lots to be done in this direction and now Dhanda is all set to spread the message in the this town and surrounding areas to create awareness about this unique form of donation which can bring a smile to many.

A pact between the past & future 
An exhibition titled, Reorich Pact: History & Modernity, A Contribution to the Mankind, gives an insight into the personal life and professional ethics of the great artist 
Amarjot Kaur

The acumen, with which the past dictates the present, often influences the future. Nicholas Roerich, in the capacity of an artist, a thinker, a writer, and a cultural activist delved into the instruments of historical evidence, which defined culture and validated its evolution. Through his works he made a prophecy regarding the adversities that time was about to inflict on heritage. Perhaps that reasons his concern over protecting the artistic and scientific institutions and historic monuments which later translated in the form of Roerich Pact signed in Washington in 1935.

An exhibition titled Reorich Pact : History & Modernity, A Contribution to the Mankind, organised by the Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi in collaboration with The International Centre Of Reorichs (ICR), Moscow, The International Reorichs Heritage Preservation Committee, and The International Reorich Memorial Trust (IRMT) Nagger, Kullu, at Art Gallery of Punjab Kala Bhawan explores a detailed account of the concerns of the artist.

Dedicated to Roerich's endeavours directed at preserving the cultural heritage, along with some of his works and even those by his son, Svetoslav, the exhibition branches into various sections the first of which elaborates on his personal life, half of which was spent in Russia while the other half in Kullu, India. Backed with a series of candid photographs, his association with Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindernath Tagore seem to steal the spotlight from his family portraits, including the one with his wife, Helen Roerich. However, a rather intense and serious aspect of his disposition validates itself in Nicholas Roerich's portrait made by his son, Svetoslav.

While the first segment of the exhibition attempts to highlight Nichols's significance as an artist, who advocated the preservation of art, history, and culture, it progresses towards a more serious zone that validates his thoughts in his paintings. Be it his Himalayan series, which pronounce his love for nature or his series titled the Monuments of Russia that spell his passion for heritage, the constant subject of his paintings are a few portions from an otherwise magnanimous view. This is more than evident in many of his paintings, including the couple of towers of the Vestry, the walls of the Great Kremlin Palace or even the view of the interiors of the church of Epiphany.

Another very interesting aspect of his paintings which comes to fore is his interpretation of peace, the contents of which are three block circles within a big circle. Interpreted as the past, present and future, the sign of trinity forms a significant element in Roerich's paintings, which views it in the hands of a warrior on a pacing steed. Significantly in one of his paintings titled Saint Sophia, which views the subtle yet evident image of the warrior with the banner of peace in the fiery and turbulent storm advancing towards a country. It captures his interpretation of secularism, peace and his understanding of humanity on a rather intense level. The symbol of trinity forms the content of many of his paintings, including, Maitreya, Chintamani and Mangolia Series.

While creation requires imagination, and destruction requires chaos, restoration and preservation requires sensibility and effort that Roerich understood and realised with the advent of the First and the Second World War, and its ramifications thereafter. Well, with this exhibition, one realises that it still not too late.

On till September

amarjot@tribunemail.com

CELEB POINT
To heaven and back 
Divya Dutta

Whenever I travel abroad, I wish I stayed a day longer and took a train journey and saw the country side. And I write this as I sit in a train in Norway.

I was invited to the Norwegian Film Festival in Oslo along with Sunil Shetty to be honoured for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Till the last minute, I wasn't sure if I would be able to make it cause of date issues. But finally it all fell into place and I planned my itenary. After the event, I booked the Bergen train to Flam, a small picturesque village deep in the valleys. I had my brother Rahul for company this time. At the event, they showed the clips of all my films before honouring me. And the hall was full of applauses. I was overwhelmed. I must have done something really right to earn that. I felt so humbled and touched. Everyone came up and said, "Madam, we like your choice of movies... Awesome eve and then started my holiday. I took Rahul to all the cafeterias in the beautiful city of Oslo. We just hung around there, relaxing. Something I don't get to do often! Walking the streets, having an ice-cream and just having a blast.

And then the time came to finally board the train to Flam. I was like an excited child wanting to go a train journey. The journey lived up to its reputation. I couldn't wink a minute for the fear of missing a beautiful spot. Rivers, mountains, glaciers, stunning houses... I saw it all and then had an awesome lunch at the cafe in the train. The entire experience was so fulfilling! Got off at Merdyl to board another train to the famous Flam village. The view was exotic. Waterfall glaciers, it was god's own heaven...Flam was a quaint village and we took a speed boat to look around. A pleasant weather and hot dinner was a lethal combo. The next day we boarded our train back to Oslo. It's beautiful when you get to do what you have been wanting to do for a while. This has been one of the most beautiful journeys of my life... And I am so thankful to god for these gems of experiences. As we window shopped at the station, they were selling mood rings, which change colour according to you moods. I wore one and the colour changed to blue. They told me it meant I was relaxed. Yes, totally. All set to go home, refreshed rejuvenated. Back to work. Goodbye as of now you lovely Norway!

(Dutta is a Bollywood actress)

Master Chef
Chip off the old block!
Kandla Nijhowne

Chocolate chips are everywhere. They adorn the tops of cakes, they are sprinkled onto scoops of ice-cream, they are swirled into thick shakes and they even hide inside cookies! Now, we don't even need to tackle a block of chocolate and place it on the guillotine block to chop into chips. Ready chocochips are easily available. A crisp and crumbly vanilla cookie with the surprise element of lurking chocolate morsels is indeed a treat. When you bake a batch at home, the aroma will drive anyone to want a plateful with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk. The bonus of homemade is that you use real butter, not margarine or oil. The buttery flavour is a huge improvement upon shop-bought. Once you're sold on it, you'll never buy any more.

Choco-chip cookies

Ingredients

o ¾ cup grain sugar

o ¾ cup brown sugar

o 1 cup butter softened

o 1 tsp vanilla

o 1 egg

o 2 ¼ cups maida

o 1 tsp baking soda

o ½ tsp salt

o 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

o 1½-2 cups chocolate chips

Method

Pre-heat oven to 375ºF (180 C).

Sieve the maida with the soda and salt.

Using a deep bowl, mix together both the sugars, butter, vanilla and egg.

Stir in the sieved mixture (the dough will be quite stiff).

Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.

Use an un-greased baking sheet. Drop tablespoons of the dough on to it. Keep a 2 inch gap between them.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown.

If the centres feel a bit soft, don't worry. They will cook through with their own heat.

Cool on a wire rack.

Transfer into an air tight bin or your gob!

(Nijhowne is a Chandigarh-based culinary expert)

star track
Adding more sizzle

The poster of Bang Bang Being called as the action romance movie of the year, Bang Bang's (starring Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif) third poster is out and it oozes glamour, is bold and showcases Hrithik and Katrina in their stylish action avatars!

Bang Bang is certainly making statements with every promotional activity. The teaser is a runaway hit and Tu Meri and Meherbaan — the two songs of the film— have become sensational chartbusters! The audiences have so far loved the sizzling pairing of Hrithik and Katrina. The scale of the film and never seen before action scenes that Bang Bang has to offer for the audiences.

Produced by Fox Star Studios, directed by Siddharth Anand, Bang Bang releases on October 2.

SRK packs a punch

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has unveiled his new chiseled body and eight- pack abs, which is part of his look for upcoming film Happy New Year, directed by Farah Khan.

The 48-year-old actor had previously done rigorous training to achieve six-pack abs for the choreographer-turned-director's 2007 film Om Shanti Om.

Shah Rukh shared the picture, clicked by Dabboo Ratnani, on Twitter in which he is seen bare-bodied and clinging on to a rope. "I feel shy to talk about my body, but this is only for @TheFarahKhan. Cos of @prashantsixpack my trainer for 20 yrs & Aryan for inspiring me," Shah Rukh posted alongside the picture.

Back in dialogue

Deepika Padukone and Arjun Kapoor in Finding Fanny The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had earlier told Finding Fanny director Homi Adajania to discard a dialogue from the film where the lead actor Deepika Padukone says, 'I'm a virgin'.

Now, in the latest development, post reviewing the issue, the censor board has allowed the word to be fitted back in the film.

Confirming the same Adajania said, "When we went for the Hindi dub, we sent a mail to Leela Samson stating our case. We were not objecting to the cut, we were just confused by the contradictory action because the line had been passed earlier in the trailers. We wanted some clarity on the issue. She agreed with us that if it had been passed earlier, continuation should be maintained. It's a positive sign." Finding Fanny releases on September 12. Produced by Maddock Films, the film is being presented by Fox Star Studios.

Certified horror

Bipasha Basu Bipasha Basu starrer Creature 3D has got a U/A certificate due to some sensuality and horror-related violence. She is happy that children will be able to watch it with their parents.

Action continues

Ajay Devgn has been so busy shooting for Action Jackson that he has had no time to celebrate the success of Singham Returns. Once he completes the schedule, then he will host a party with a huge cake for his friends and family.

Magicians at work

Tiger Shroff is an ardent admirer of Hrithik Roshan and his dance moves. So he was over the moon when HR praised him and his dance moves on Twitter the other day. Both of them find each other "magical."

Focused hero

Varun Dhawan has begun shooting for ABCD 2. He has had a good year so far with the success of Main Tera Hero and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. He talks about his co-stars and more.

No pressure

I don't really care what anyone else is doing. I am only focused on my work. Do you think I have the time to keep track of other people's careers?

Sidharth and me

The media likes to pit us against each other but we are friends. Anyway, I don't really care what anyone else is doing.

Shraddha the buddy

We are a jodi in the making since 20 years. I can kiss her without inhibitions as we have shared a lot of things, including our childhood together. We both love dancing too and she is a fabulous dancer.

No dating game

I am not dating Nargis Fakhri. I'm alright with people making up stuff about me but not when there's a woman involved. Nargis is a great girl and I wouldn't want people to talk cheaply about her.

Rohit square

Rohit Shetty is my favorite Bollywood director and all I can say at this point is that I'm committed to doing a film with a Rohit Dhawan (my brother whose name also happens to be Rohit is planning a film with me) in 2015.

Time for masti

Sunny Leone Sunny Leone has started shooting for Milap Zaveri's upcoming film titled Mastizaade. It is a sex comedy starring Tusshar Kapoor and Vir Das along with her. Riteish Deshmukh will have a cameo in it.

Will she get lucky?

Ileana D'Cruz just might get lucky if she lands the lead role in YRF's Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Fan, directed by Maneesh Sharma. SRK has a double role in it.

Ban in Manipur

MC Mary Kom's home state will not be able to watch the movie Mary Kom because of a ban on movie screening by insurgency outfits in Manipur. Hindi films are banned in Manipur by separatist militant group Revolutionary Peoples Front which claims that Bollywood goes against Manipuri values.

chatter box
Bigger & better

Anil Kapoor Anil Kapoor says they are working on the second season of his popular TV show 24 which will be as thrilling as the first one. Kapoor, 57, made his television debut with the Indian adaptation of the hit international TV series 24, which was aired on Colors channel. "Series 24 is very special to me. The feedback I have received, from viewers across all strata of society and age groups has been very heartening and truly encouraging. I am excited to share that while viewers once again can relish Season 1 of the show, we are already working on season 2 which will be as thrilling and edge-of-the-seat as the first one," Kapoor said in a statement. "As an actor and producer I experienced creative satisfaction from this show. We were very fortunate that some of the nicest people in show business came together on this show. Everyone, right from the actors to the technicians, put in 200 per cent and that shows on screen," he added.

Singing sensation

Shafqat Amanat Ali is touted as one of the biggest singing sensations to hit the subcontinent in recent times. Ali of Mitwa and Yeh Honsla fame has sung beautifully Mera Ishq Gumshuda. An eminent name in India and son of the legendary Pakistani singer Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, Shafqat is admired fondly for his exceptional singing.

Revenge story

Sanjeeda Sheikh Star Plus' Ek Hasina Thi, a show that has transgressed the norms of daily drama is up for another twist. While people not just in India, but also across the world are appreciating the strong storyline and the moving performances. Sanjeeda Sheikh, who plays the protagonist Durga and Vatsal Sheth, who plays the character of Shaurya, have become household names with this series. In the current plot, Durga is all set to marry Shaurya. Sanjeeda said, "People are anticipating Durga to get married to Shaurya but my fans are coming forward on various social media platforms and requesting me to not marry Shaurya and instead marry the character of Dev. They think it's not fair on my part to marry my sister's rapist."

Training time

The intensive and elaborate grooming routine that the contestants of Cine Stars Ki Khoj are currently going through is bound to leave them enriched as actors for life. The Saturday episode of the show will see the top 10 contestants being divided in two groups of five each to perform in a musical.

Yashpal takes up reading the Bhagwad Gita

Yashpal Sharma's portrayal of the harried, hassled common man in Zee TV's Neeli Chhatri Waale, took the audience by surprise. Known for playing a baddie in most of his Bollywood movies, Yashpal's role in the show is in stark contrast to all that he has done in the past. Playing Bhagwan Das in the show, Yashpal is seen as the middle class man who stumbles upon Lord Shiva (played by Himanshu Soni) one day and has conversations with him at various crossroads in life.

Playing a man who meets God in the show, Yashpal finds himself getting in touch with his spiritual side lately. Having tried to complete the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita almost thrice before starting the shoot of the show, Yashpal had never been successful so far. However, inspired by his character, Yashpal took up the challenge of completing it this time and is now seen carrying the book along with him to the sets. Every day at the shoot, the man is seen dedicating all his free time to reading The Bhagwad Gita.

Pledging to complete the book this time around, Yashpal said, "Inspired by my role and the whole aspect of meeting God in the show, I have started to read the Bhagwad Gita three days ago. I have tried several times in the past to complete the book, however, each time I would have to stop midway due to other commitments.

Talking about his belief in the almighty, Yashpal said, "I don't believe in religion in particular, but believe in one superpower and feel the presence of a strong energy around me all the time. The show also sends out a strong message of listening to one's inner voice." Do not miss, Neeli Chhatri Waale, Every Saturday and Sunday at 8 PM, Only on Zee TV!

The last meal

Mythological show Buddha - Rajaon Ka Raja on Zee TV will see Buddha (Himanshu Soni) moving towards the path of mahaparinirvan (the ultimate Nirvana) this weekend. The highlight of this weekend's episode will be the last meal eaten by Buddha, which will be served by Chand. As soon as Buddha would take a bite of it, there will be sudden lightning and thunder. The whole atmosphere will change and go pitch-dark. Immediately, Buddha would tell Chand not to give this food to anyone else, and to bury it underground inside the mud. Chand would immediately realise that there is something bad in the food. Soon after this, Buddha's health would deteriorate and he would vomit and suffer from stomach pain. Buddha would tell his disciples that he has had his last meal and he is now on the path of mahaparinirvan. In quick time Buddha would reach Kushinagar and would want to rest under the Saal Van. In his sleeping position, Buddha would share his moments with his disciples, and advise them to speak about the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Buddha would also tell Anand to go and tell Mallaraja about him intending to rest under the Saal van, and taking his mahaparinirvan on the same night. All his disciples will be sad and disheartened on knowing this. 

Astro turf
p Khurrana

ARIES: Take a break from work as the recent of burst of enthusiasm that you were experiencing for quite some time has run out of steam and its important that you pause to catch your breath. Tarot message: Empty promises are certain. Lucky colour: Fuchsia Magic number: 31

TAURUS: Parents can experience some stress and tension regarding their offspring. Making money and having fun are not a good mix for now. Stick to earning a living and leave the entertainment for later. Tarot message: You will find a fountainhead of will power within yourself. Lucky colour: Red Magic number: 21

GEMINI: Shopping for a gift as a token of affection is a delightful way to spend money. You will find it hard to pin down people. Do not bury disturbing emotions; rather, work on them. Tarot message: Watch your best interests. Lucky colour: Yellow Magic number: 61

CANCER: You may have to spend on your health. Get home early to avoid traffic mayhem. Enduring relationships can be formed with new people, who live at a distance. Tarot message: Focus on professional changes. Lucky colour: Peach Magic number: 55

LEO: Too much of shopping could be exhausting your credit card. Do not get involved in any mutual venture without investigating the economic situation of the other party. Tarot message: You must learn to share responsibility with others. Lucky colour: Metallic grey Magic number: 26

VIRGO: A bit of craziness may creep into your day and surprise you like a cosmic jack in the box. Avoid gossiping, because it can spoil your chances of success. Tarot message: Think positive and be optimistic. Lucky colour: Pink Magic number: 28

LIBRA:Plans for a romantic rendezvous could be disrupted by a call from work and you may be needed to work overtime too. Go along with the wishes of your family members. Tarot message: You gain by being practical, so do not be emotional. Lucky colour: Peach Magic number: 64

SCORPIO: If you are single, you will find an attractive candidate for dating and relating with in your social circle. Give more attention to your health. Keep your sense of humour alive. Tarot message: Focus on your emotional and spiritual needs. Lucky colour: Forest green Magic number: 30

SAGITTARIUS: Your card “Three of Cups” suggests that your emotions have to be controlled. Compassion and forgiveness are needed for love to keep growing. Tarot message: At work, don't hold back anything from your employer. Lucky colour: Purple Magic number: 28

CAPRICORN: Rise early and greet the day with morning exercise to get your energy levels high. Domestic hassles will be settled amicably. Expect a guest or important news to come your way today. Tarot message: Stay calm. Lucky colour: Golden brown Magic number: 59

AQUARIUS: Your attention will revolve around your home, property, family, and long-term decisions. Money will roll in post lunch. You will have to modify your plans. Tarot message: Focus on the better to mitigate the bitter. Lucky colour: White Magic number: 33

PISCES: You will be very satisfied with what your have accomplished. Hopes will fill your heart with many dreams. This will be a relaxed day for senior citizens. Tarot message: You have to push to succeed and your efforts will pay off. Lucky colour: Black Magic number: 27

The year ahead
Madan Gupta Spatu

If your birthday is September 10...

You are born under the zodiac sign Virgo and governed by number 10, which makes you highly intelligent, creative and sensitive too. You are passionate about arts and literature. Also, you are also self-conscious and methodical in your activities. Your interest in physical and metaphysical learning often draws you towards spiritual pursuits. Number 10 is known to take the lead in love and the chase is of utmost importance to these lovers. It will be a good birthday and you may fancy discussing topics connected with bureaucracy, important financial matters, and long-term goals. Be more conscious about your career. Travel for work is on the cards. Better planning will be required to achieve financial prosperity. Personal matters may suffer due to a conflict between partners. Take precaution against cold and cough. You will be more dynamic and energetic about matters regarding love, relationships, and creativity from the November16th onwards. Make a real effort to compartmentalise; apply yourself when you are working and let it go when you are not. Keep major goals, both personal and work-related, on the front-of-mind now. Spending will go on the rise. Vehicle repair or purchase along with travel expense is a likely source. Health wise, you may suffer from abdominal disorders, eye infection, or dental problems.

Positive colours: Golden, red, brown, white, orange and purple
Select days: Sunday and Monday
Favourable numbers: 1, 4, 2, and 7
Gems recommended: Yellow sapphire and ruby
Charity on birthday: You may donate green fodder to cows, vegetables to the needy or at a religious place today.

You share your birthday with Anurag Kashyap (September 10, 1972, Gorakhpur), who is one of the most versatile and prolific filmmakers in contemporary Hindi cinema. Kasyap's stars will shine bright on his career in 2015. 





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