leather effect nail varnishes have swept fashion aficionados

HOT TREND

    AFTER caviar and velvet manicures, leather effect nail varnishes have swept fashion aficionados off their feet. No sooner did British TV presenter Alexa Chung sport them at an award show, celebrities are bellowing for their own bottle of liquid leather. Glossy on application, this varnish dries up quickly to give you a leathery feel; so you don’t even need a top coat! Fashion glossies like Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue have already called it one of the top nail trends to watch out for this year. This limited-edition varnish has a waiting list of 900 (and still counting) thanks to the red carpet launch they got. Soon to be launched at beauty stores in India, this manicure is edgy and chic.  
 
What it is: A matte finish nail lacquer that, when dry, gives a leathery finish.  
 
How to embellish it: Each bottle comes with different studs, rhinestones and crystallised skulls that you can glue on to your nails; all you need is a rock-chick attitude.

I thought journalism could change the world... I was quite wrong

“I thought journalism could change the world... I was quite wrong”

Lucy Mathen was BBC’s first female Asian broadcaster till she made a career U-turn and became an eye doctor. She tells why her current job gives purpose to her life, unlike her previous one


    IN the mid-1970s, Lucy Mathen began her career as a print journalist, working for the Surrey Mirror. She then joined the BBC as the first female Asian broadcaster, and worked on Newsround from 1976 to 1980. One would think this was a golden opportunity for any ambitious woman serious about making a mark at a time when women were just becoming the visible faces of the workforce all over the world. But by 1988, Mathen had given up her glamorous, high-profile job to become an ophthalmologist.
The career switch People tried to dissuade her. “I was 36, a successful TV reporter with a glamorous, well-paying and interesting job. The medical team that interviewed me for the ophthalmology course tried its best to dissuade me , ‘Do you realise doctors have the highest rates of divorce and alcoholism’?, they asked me.” But Mathen had made up her mind. Highly disillusioned by her glamorous profession which couldn’t change the world, she sought her own path.
    “I was in Kabul in my capacity as a reporter, in 1988. The Russians were pulling out of Afghanistan. I was interviewing a male doctor, who talked about the chaotic health-care system there.
While talking to him, I recalled another man, I had interviewed almost 10 years ago — a leading Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger commando in South India, who was terrified of the media — who had told me, ‘your weapon is more powerful than mine’. I believed him. I thought the world could be changed through journalism. Ten years later, after talking to the Afghan doctor, I felt like a fraud. I decided if I were in a war zone again, I would be a medic not a journalist,” says the 59-year-old who has written her life story in the book A Runaway Goat: Curing Blindness in forgotten India.
Challenges aplenty Mathen has never looked back since then, even though studying medicine involved hard work, where she had to sacrifice a fair amount of her family time. When she enrolled at the St George’s Hospital Medical School, London, Mathen was the oldest student in her class. She was already a mother of a sixyear-old girl, Leyla, and pregnant with her second child, Calum. It was her mother who helped her finish her studies without a break. “My mother has been an amazing
support to me. My son was born in my third year, so I was breastfeeding before going off to the clinics. My mum never batted an eyelid.”
    Blindness is a cause that was close to her heart. Mathen knew that with the right education, passion and drive — all of which she had in plenty — she could change people’s lives. She explains, “I thought India would be a good place to start because it’s my birth country and also has the worst blindness problem in the world. I want to eliminate blindness from India, at least by 2020.
Cure lies in the heart The biggest challenge for her was to get the help of other eye doctors to join her mission. When Mathen started her work in India, almost 80 per cent of India’s eye doctors were working in urban areas and were into private practice, whereas the vast majority of India’s blind lived in villages with no access to eye surgeons. “I asked myself: ‘could it be that a diaspora of doctors provide a source of experienced eye surgeons who were willing to work for short periods at rural hospitals’?” Then, leading by example, she persuaded Indian surgeons to do the same. In 2000, six months after she registered Second Sight as a UK chari
ty, she offered India a supply of experienced volunteer eye surgeons.”
    Though she had given up journalism, Mathen never really let go of her reporter’s instincts. “By 2007, most Second Sight surgeons were still from Britain. The regular volunteers came from Newcastle, London, Southampton, Wales and North
ern Ireland. None of them batted an eyelid about going to rural Bihar. I had difficulty trying to recruit South Indian surgeons, who didn’t want to go anywhere North or rural. So, I started creating awareness through videos and road shows. By 2008, we had more Indian surgeons with us. They even outnumbered those from the UK. This was a huge achievement. I’ve always retained a ‘whatever it takes’ approach to curing blindness. Humanitarian work is, and should be, pretty straightforward. If you want to restore sight to the blind, there should be no excuses stopping you from doing precisely that. Being an ophthalmologist lets me make a real difference.”
I BELIEVE “I’VE ALWAYS MAINTAINED A ‘WHATEVER IT TAKES’ APPROACH TO CURING BLINDNESS. HUMANITARIAN WORK IS, AND SHOULD BE, PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD. IF YOU WANT TO RESTORE SIGHT TO THE BLIND, THERE SHOULD
BE NO
EXCUSES
STOPPING YOU
FROM DOING
PRECISELY THAT”

Lucy Mathen


Lucy Mathen (right) hopes to eradicate blindness in India, by 2020

The global phenomenon that is set to redefine the way Indians shop, eat out, and amuse


The global phenomenon that is set to redefine the way Indians shop, eat out, and amuse

    POP-UP — it’s a word you’ll be hearing a lot this year. And it will prefix everything from restaurants, concerts, galleries, houses, salons, libraries, even cities.
To put it simply, popups are micro-events that are put up at temporary venues, where people collect as
many experiences as possible. So, instead of visiting a shop, you attend a flea market at someone’s garage, set up for a day or two; or a rock concert in a shopping mall’s parking lot; an art festival at a park or pavement where both artists and aficionados get their fix; or a gourmet brunch for a small group at a friend’s place, where a qualified chef opens your tastebuds to a new cuisine, for a fixed amount. The impermanent nature of pop-ups means there are no real overhead or utilities, and little cost and labour, yet the choices and innovative events keep culture enthusiasts on their toes.
Temporary worlds Every Sunday, for the last two months, longtime friends and party throwers Nandini Sood and chef Anupama Bhat have been hosting Goma pop-up restaurants-for-a-day in Delhi and Gurgaon. The setting is usually a friend’s living room or terrace, the furniture
minimalistic, the list of invitees doesn’t exceed 20, and the menu is a mix of Japanese and Korean delicacies. The hosts interact with guests beforehand and make sure they put like-minded people on the same table.
    “The beauty of our pop-up is that there are no waiters, we attend to tables personally, introduce each and every dish on the menu and welcome spontaneous feedback after the meal!” says Bhat.

    India has seen a surge of pop-up events in the last few months — from three-day pop-up shops held in Bangalore and Kolkata by luxury fashion portal Squarekey, to the day-long confluence of music, live art, graffiti, robots and alternate reality games called ‘Museum of Memories’ in Mumbai. Miko Kuro Midnight Tea Party — an international 12-hour experiment inspired by the intricate rituals of the Japanese tea ceremony — came to India last month. It featured installations, poetry and performances.
    December 2012 also saw Mumbai hosting a five-weekend pop-up festival called We Love
Bandra. It had multiple temporary venues in unusual places such as a gallery, a quaint cottage and a tattoo studio. Visitors witnessed DJ performances (Karsh Kale), Odissi and Kathak dance, live music, while shopping for limited edition designs of inimitable labels. “Pop-ups have an element of
novelty; they are transient and have deadlines, so people do show up. Also, unlike mainstream art, pop-up events are more democratic and inclusive,” says Namrata Bhawnani, director, Visual Disobedience, an artist collective behind some of these pop-up gigs.

Recession-ready The economic downturn has added fuel to the popularity of pop-ups as businesses, and individuals look at different ways to generate income without great capital outlay. Pop-ups have substituted the notion of shabby and makeshift with creativity and an element of chic. An international roving art outfit called No Man’s Art Gallery, which was in India recently, puts up week-long art galleries in different cities. It exhibits talented local artists, alongside the ones discovered in the previous cities the gallery popped-up in. This is a great scenario in times of cutbacks on culture, where many young artists are being denied the possibility to pursue art as a profession.
Deep-rooted beginnings While the term ‘pop-up’ might be fairly new, it has echoes in everything from the restaurants traditionally run in people’s homes in Cuba (Case de Cuba), to the shop that artists Sarah Lucas and Tracey Emin opened in London for six months in 1993 where they made and sold mugs, T-shirts and ashtrays, to artist Dan Thompson’s gallery inside a bakery, in Worthing, UK. Pop-up retail started as a rogue concept by edgy brands like Vacant, which opened different temporary stores in 1999.
Relevant today Concedes Emmelie Koster, the founder of No Man’s Art, “The generation that I come from (25 to 30 year-olds) gets distracted easily. We have a short attention span, so we present art in a form that reflects that sentiment. It adds to the ‘this is happening right now,’ atmosphere.” In her book, The Pop-Up Generation: Design Between Dimensions, Dutch trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort examines the pop-up phenomenon that captures the essence of the times we live in. “Young people easily shift between 2D and 3D, barely noticing a difference. Navigating this no man’s land, the new ‘pop-up generation’ of designers create work that is malleable, transient, and ever-changing.”
    From diners and shoppers looking for new excitement, artists and fashion designers teaming up, to brands looking to add a bit of ‘cool’ to their fixed stores, everyone is in on pop-ups.

WHAT’S POP-UP CULTURE ALL ABOUT? Pop-ups are micro-events that are put up at temporary venues, for a few hours to a few weeks, where people collect as many experiences as possible. It can be art galleries, cultural festivals, flea markets, music gigs or even a gourmet meal...


International artists at the India edition of Miko Kuro


Squarekey’s pop-up shop


Goma pop-up restaurant


Miko Kuro Midnight Tea


We Love Bandra pop-up festival

Jeetendra-Hema pair up after two decades

Jeetendra-Hema pair up after two decades


    Hema Malini and Jeetendra will be seen in a mythological film, Mahabharat Aur Barabareek, after nearly 23 years. Director Dharmesh Tiwari said, “Hema Malini is playing Hidamba and Jeetendra plays a disciple.” However, they don’t have any scene together in the movie. Nonetheless, Tiwari said, “Both Jeetuji and Hemaji are very spiritual people. And he also has a song which is very similar to one of his popular numbers — Tune Mujhe Bulaya Sherawaliye from his movie Aasha (1980).’’ When asked, Jeetendra said, “Yes, I and Hema will be seen in the same film after 23 years. But the real reason was I wanted to go to Khatu Shyam temple and this film gave me that opportunity.’’ Apart from them, actors from BR Chopra’s Mahabharat will be seen together playing the same role in this film. As Tiwari said, “Arjun (Feroz Khan), Gufi Paintal (Shakuni), Rupa Ganguly (Draupadi) are also there in the film. The only new addition to the cast is Gracy Singh.’’

Jeetendra


Hema Malini

You can’t be jealous of your co-stars, says Sohum Shah

You can’t be jealous of your co-stars, says Sohum Shah



    Actor-producer Sohum Shah’s debut film, Ship Of Theseus, has been doing the rounds of various film festivals and has been getting a lot of critical acclaim. At the recently concluded Dubai International Film Festival, Aida Elkashef ’s portrayal of a blind photographer in the film won her the Best Actress Award. Sohum is ecstatic with the praises coming his way. “Our film has been noticed for its writing, cinematography and quality of acting. It’s a proud moment for all of us,” he says.
    On sharing screen space with other actors, Sohum says, “I don’t think it’s healthy to get intimidated by the craftsmanship of your co-stars. You can learn from them, you can envy them, but you can’t be jealous of them. Anyway, I don’t like the idea of making a film just to highlight someone’s artistry. A film should be made because it needs to be made. Everything else should be a by-product of this exercise, not the main focus. I was fortunate enough to work with this highly skilled team. I will continue work with the best artistes,” says the filmmaker.

Sohum Shah

Irrfan lends voice to tableau in R-Day parade

Irrfan lends voice to tableau in R-Day parade

    It will be for the first time that a tableau celebrating 100 years of cinema will be part of the Republic Day parade. And Irrfan has done the voiceover for it. Information and Broadcasting secretary Uday K Varma said, “Ideally, we wanted all the actors to participate in it, but that was not materialising. So there will be lookalike of all superstars of the film industry.”
    A source said, “Film stars are usually not on time and therefore it was not practically possible for them to stay on till the end of the parade. As per rules and security reasons nobody would be allowed to step out. So that’s also why lookalikes have replaced them.”

It is learnt that it was
Yash Chopra who was initially given the responsibility of the tableau. But after his demise NFDC (National Film Development Corporation) was handed over the job. Source say that popular characters from Indian cinema from films like Coolie, Awara, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Ganga Jamuna will be part of the tableau.

Irrfan

Vidya’s making time for home and hubby

Vidya’s making time for home and hubby

    Vidya Balan, who is back from her honeymoon, is taking it easy on the work front. We hear that Vidya wants to put a few things in perspective this time around. The newlywed actress wants to ensure her working and leisure hours are clearly marked out, obviously because she wants to spend more time at home with her husband.

Vidya Balan

A cartoon character based on Gulshan Grover

A cartoon character based on Gulshan Grover

    In a first of its kind, one of the key characters’ looks and mannerisms in an animated film is based on a Bollywood actor. In upcoming 3D animated film Nephilim, the villain is based on ‘bad man’ Gulshan Grover.
    “We’ve had actors in Hollywood and Bollywood dub for animated characters, but here is a character that is me,” laughs Grover. He adds, “The character has given expressions just the way I do in my films. He is called Azazel and is the villain. I enjoyed dubbing for my ‘alter ego’!”
    Produced by Motion

Makers Animation Studio Pvt Ltd, an animation and VFX production studio based in Mumbai, the film is set in modern times and involves a gun-toting, motorcycle-riding, demon-fighting priest, whose purpose is to see good triumphing over evil. Says director Danny Wilson, “It’s a fun, fantasy adventure film that has a mix of mythology, history, and religion.”

    The makers already have a sequel on the cards and have also planned a comic book series, video games, action figures and even an animated TV series for the coming years. Says producer Dr Vishwas Valvi, “Our goal was to introduce a powerful Indian character who is also well-known in the West and Gulshan was the apt choice.”

Azazel in Nephilim


Gulshan Grover with Dr Vihwas Valvi and Danny Wilson

Abhishek’s lucky floor

Abhishek’s lucky floor



    While some actors prefer to take the day off on their birthdays, Abhishek Bachchan insists on shooting instead. A source tells us that whenever the actor shoots on one particular floor at Filmcity on his birthday, the film becomes a box-office success. The last one being Bol Bachchan, which not only fetched him accolades and awards, but also entered the 100-crore club.

Abhishek Bachchan

Drew Barrymore freaked out during year-long break

Drew Barrymore freaked out during year-long break



    After wrapping her 2009 directorial debut in Whip It, Drew Barrymore went on a solo journey to India to give herself a chance to reflect on her future. However, the Charlie’s Angels star admits she panicked when the time came to give up her career, since she has been working on movies continuously since her childhood. She told a magazine, “It freaked me out. I was afraid to let go. But with great risk comes great reward. We always wonder (when single), ‘Where is this person? Oh my God, I’m lonely; what’s my future? But eventually you’ll
meet somebody, and this time will be gone. And you will kick yourself for not enjoying it. For me, that year was a great investment. It made me realise, I’m ready for something different.” Barrymore is convinced the life-changing trip also prepared her for new role as a wife and mother after marrying Will Kopelman and giving birth to a daughter, Olive, last September. She added, “Had I not carved out that time for myself, I don’t know if I’d be as happy trying to figure out what makes my husband happy and how to be a good mom.”

Drew Barrymore

How to cure hiccups

How to cure hiccups



    Hiccups can come at any time without warning. And sometimes, they can be extremely embarrassing. But the fact is, some simple techniques can stop hiccups. Here, take a look...

Press your palm
    
Use the thumb of one hand to press the palm of the other hand — as hard as you can. Another tactic is to squeeze the ball of your left thumb between the thumb and forefinger of your right hand. You may feel discomfort, but it serves as a distraction that affects the nervous system and has the ability to stop your hiccups.

Hold your breath
    
Take a long, deep breath and hold it for a few seconds. Experts say when there is a build-up of carbon dioxide in your lungs, the diaphragm relaxes and eases the hiccups.
Shut your ears
    
Shut your ears for about 20 to 35 seconds. Another option is to press the soft areas behind your earlobes.
This will send a signal to relax through the vagus nerve, which connects to the diaphragm.
Put your tongue out
    
That’s right, stick your tongue out. This is a common trick employed by vocalists and actors when they perform, because it is known to stimulate the opening between the vocal cords. This helps you breathe more smoothly and stops the spasms that cause hiccups.

Cover your mouth Cup your hands over your nose and mouth. Continue breathing normally while you do this. This will stop the hiccups because of the extra dose of carbon dioxide.
Drink water fast Take about 10 sips quickly from a glass without stopping. When you gulp down a drink, rhythmic contractions of the esophagus override spasms of the diaphragm and stop you from hiccuping.

if you are want to save that relationship


Read on to find out the basics you must keep in mind if you are want to save that relationship



    While you’re reclining on your balcony chair, sipping coffee and rethinking about love and life, what’s worrying you most is that somewhere down the line your relationship is not going too well. But what didn’t cross your mind is, giving a second chance to this relationship. Yes, while breaking up can be the last resort, a second last one would be trying to save your relationship. Here are ways how you can try not to let go yet...

• Trust your partner:
This you must have read a number of times, but it stands true. Trust is the basis of any relationship. If you want to be together, first and foremost, trust your
partner. Unless the two of you have utmost faith on each other, saving the relationship is just not worth it.

• Talk it out:
A candid chat with your partner is the need of the hour. The first step you both need to take is to admit that something’s not right. Yes, since this is your chance to rectify the past, talk about how you two can do this together.

• Spend time together:
To focus on each other is important, especially
since you’ve both seen a low-down. Do things together. Go for a short trip, spend time cooking and dining or just chit-chat. What’s important is, it’s got to be the two of you.

• Surprise your partner:
Maybe it’s time to reignite that spark. Remember the days you guys would be called ‘The Couple’. Win that title back. Do things to make your partner feel special, at least you’re putting in some effort to save the last straws.


Take time out for each other

I gave myself the Legally Blonde title

I gave myself the Legally Blonde title

    Sana Khan, one of the three finalists of reality show Bigg Boss 6 that ended recently, had been shown as someone obsessed with mirrors. But the actress scoffs at such comments. She says, “As women, we always want to look our best. You won’t find me like that when I am at home. But this was a show that commanded a high viewership.” But what about her title of ‘Legally Blonde’? “I gave myself that title. When one of the contestants commented that I didn’t understand things and was a blonde, I used it to my advantage,” she says.

Sana Khan

Anil, Amitabh match steps in episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati

Anil, Amitabh match steps

    This weekend, Anil Kapoor will be seen on the hot seat of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). Anil, whose film Race 2 is set to release soon, and Amitabh Bachchan, the host of the show, will be seen getting nostalgic about their early years in Bollywood.
    The special episode will see ‘Mr India’ at his ‘tapori’ best. He will not only play the game impeccably, but also add a dash of entertainment. Be it mouthing his famous Jhakaas dialogue or dancing to the tune of Aye Ji O Ji Lo Ji Suno Ji from his superhit movie Ram Lakhan, he did it all.
    The icing on the cake will be Big B performing his signature step in the song Aapka Kya Hoga Janabe Aali from Laawaris. That’s not all. The audience will also get to hear an untold story — about Anil’s moustache.
    Watch this special episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati on Sony Entertainment Television, tonight at 8.30 pm.

Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan break into a jig on the show

Rahul Mahajan pays tribute to his father

Rahul Mahajan pays tribute to his father



    In a far cry from his jovial, joking self, Rahul Mahajan, along with wife Dimpy, will be seen giving an intense performance on Nach Baliye tonight. He will also pay a touching tribute to his father, the late Pramod Mahajan, on the dance reality show. About his performance, he says, “When I came on the show, I didn’t know that dance could make it so easy to express my feelings without saying anything. My performance was just a way of expressing what I felt for him. This act was not to gain marks or votes. Everyone knows what happened to my father and now, I want them to know how I feel about his absence. There were so many bottled-up emotions, but with the help of Dimpy and this show, I have finally found closure.” The episode will also see a comical performance by Karan and Nisha and a fire act by Jaisheel and Suhasi. And finally, which couple will bid adieu to the show this week?
Catch Nach Baliye 5 tonight at 9, only on Star plus.

An emotional Rahul Mahajan with wife Dimpy

Highest paid TV stars get the lowest TRPs

Highest paid TV stars get the lowest TRPs


Alot of money might be riding on the veterans in the television industry, but the irony is that none of the highest paid actors on TV today are able to give a Television Rating Point (TRP) boost to their shows. Whether it is Ram Kapoor in Bade Achhe Laggte Hain (BALH) or Rashami Desai’s much-hyped re-entry in Uttaran, the serials with some of the most popular names of Indian television are struggling to maintain viewership. “While this may come as a surprise to many, the insiders in the industry always knew that this would happen sooner than later,” says producer Saurabh Tewari.
    Even Ram Kapoor, who was a hit with viewers, and reportedly commanded a pay package of 80,000 per day, has not been able to sustain the TRPs of his show. “TV channels tried working with old faces and new stories, but it didn’t work for everyone. At the end of the
day, it’s the script that rules, not the faces,” says producer Bhairavi Raichura.” Director Ravindra Gautam, adds, “TV stars are a myth, there can’t be stars on TV. Agar aisa hota toh khali veterans ko le lene se hi shows chal jaate.”
    Apparently, working with the stalwarts of the industry comes with its share of woes. “Content is compromised because they don’t give more than 15 days in a month to a show,” says Saurabh.

    Actor Samir Soni says, “What has really happened with shows having veterans from the TV industry is that content has taken a backseat. Director aake bolta hai, ‘please pull the show with your acting,’ but someone should give us the script also na? There’s no innovation in content in shows that have the highest paid actors. Yes, of course
there are fans who will watch our shows only for us, but even we have limited scenes in an episode. There are other tracks as well,” he says.
    Samir also says that the time slot given to their shows is also one of the reasons for low TRPs. “Most shows with highest paid actors are aired in the latenight slot, with re-runs throughout the day. So people usually have time options to catch the show,” he points out.

RAM KAPOOR: 80,000 per day SHOW: Bade Achhe Laggte Hain CURRENT TRP: 2.3


GURMEET CHAUDHARY: 75,000 per day SHOW: Punar Vivah CURRENT TRP: 1.9


RONIT ROY: 70,000 per day SHOW: Adalat CURRENT TRP: 2.2


AAMNA SHARIFF: 65,000 per day SHOW: Honge Juda Na Hum CURRENT TRP: 0.5


RASHAMI DESAI: 65,000 per day SHOW: Uttaran CURRENT TRP: 2.4


SAMIR SONI: 50,000 per day SHOW: Parichay CURRENT TRP: 1.3


MONA SINGH : 50,000 per day SHOW: Kya Hua Tera Vaada CURRENT TRP: 1.1

Jagdish Mali not in dire straits, is raring to go

Jagdish Mali not in dire straits, is raring to go



    Lensman Jagdish Mali wants to know why small-time actor Mink Brar tried to grab headlines through him. Four days ago, Mink reportedly called journalists to say that she was concerned after having spotted the photographer in a dishevelled state. She thought it fit to run up to him and cover him. Mink also called the media to report her Good Samaritan act.
    Jagdish says he has been diabetic for the past 11 years. But the man who has captured the best photographs of many of the superstars from the 70s till 2000, says, “I’m not in dire straits, nor do I suffer from any other psychological ailment.”
    Says Jagdish, “I left my home in
Andheri, dressed very casually, and walked till Versova, because I’ve been advised to take long walks. All of a sudden, I felt my sugar levels dip and was completely out of breath. I sat outside a friend’s shop and asked him to get me a bar of chocolate. I guess some chocolate was smeared on my face and I probably looked odd. But surely, that is not reason enough for someone to jump the gun and go to the media with a hard-luck story.’’
    He laughs and says, “Being a part of the media, I understand how we sometimes exaggerate a situation. This time, it’s happened to me. I honestly don’t know how to react. All I can say is, my camera and I are raring to go.”

Jagdish Mali and Rekha

John-Bipasha face-off

John-Bipasha face-off



    Come March and John Abraham and Bipasha Basu will clash at the box office. The two stars, who were in a relationship for eight years before they broke up a couple of years ago, have their films releasing on the same day. John is supported by Chitrangda Singh and Prachi Desai in his ‘coming of age’ film, while Bipasha has 2012’s surprise, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, for support in her horror flick. Interestingly, the makers of her film had first decided on the release date, after which the producers of Abraham’s movie chose the same date.

John Abraham


Bipasha Basu

Vivek Oberoi describes his ‘goofy gangster’ character in an upcoming film

Wrong Bhai at the right place

Vivek Oberoi describes his ‘goofy gangster’ character in an upcoming film

    Playing a gangster comes easiest to Vivek Oberoi. A decade ago, he started out in Bollywood as the ambitious Chandu Nagre (Company). A few years later, he was Maya Dolas (Shootout At Lokhandwala). Both characters were aggressive, dangerous men. In the upcoming Jayanta Bhai Ki Luv Story, he returns to familiar territory with a twist. This time his ‘gangster’ avatar is goofy and lovable.
    Calling Chandu and Maya “authentic bhais”, Vivek says, “Jayanta is basically the wrong bhai at the right place. While he fancies himself as a serious bhai and is pretty good at whatever he does, Jayanta is also a fun-loving, good-natured guy. He’s naive and this creates problems for him.”
    Things change when he falls for Simran (Neha Sharma), a girl who rents the house next door. Their relationship is doomed from the start, but the inevitable happens. As Vivek explains, “In some ways, he tries to be her mentor, guide, albeit as a bhai, from his experience as a gangster. That’s where the fun, mad humour, craziness of two worlds colliding, come into place. When Jayanta falls in love with Simran, who’s way beyond his range and class, it’s cute to see the way he wants to protect her, the ideas he comes up with to see her smile.”
    The actor calls this role a challenge. “I wanted to surprise myself, the audience, with all that you can do with a ‘bhai’ character. Jayanta is very vulnerable and emotional. He’s very real, that’s what makes him endearing and entertaining.”
    Kiran Kotrial, who scripted this Kumar Taurani production, says Vivek was the first
actor to come to mind when director Vinnil Markan and he were writing the movie. “The kind of character Jayanta is and the way he speaks, only someone born and bred in Mumbai can enact perfectly. Vivek’s character is like Company’s Chandu meets Aditya of Saathiya. We’ve seen both aspects of Vivek as an actor. When you merge the two, you get an interesting combination,” Kiran sums up.
Jayanta Bhai Ki Luv Story, produced by Tips Industries Ltd, releases February 15.

Neha Sharma


Vivek Oberoi

Actor Sushant Singh Rajput's interview

MADHURI WANTED TO LEARN DANCE FROM ME


    Sushant Singh Rajput, 27, was clear he wanted to be a star even though he ranked seventh in the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE). Seven years after dropping out of Delhi College of Engineering, he has bagged leading roles in Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che, Raju Hirani’s P.K. and Maneesh Sharma’s next. He opens up to Bombay Times about his first dancing partner Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, his mentor Shiamak Davar and his girlfriend Ankita Lokhande. Excerpts: 

Let’s talk about your childhood.

I was born in Patna where my father worked for the government as an engineer. I was most attached to my mom, who I lost during my 12th standard. She called me the night before she died and started crying and asked me to take care of myself. That night she had a brain hemorrhage and died. I was never close to my dad, as my mother was such a cushion. She used to always be worried about me, but never saw my success. She had a son who had died at the age of four after which she had four daughters and then me. So, I was totally pampered and spoilt. There was a vacuum in my life after her as she was the only one with whom I would discuss everything. After school, I joined Delhi College of Engineering, ranked seventh in the AIEEE and was the national Olympiad winner in Physics. I cleared 11 national engineering exams, including the Indian School of Mines at Dhanbad, but wanted to stay in Delhi for Barry John’s theatre and Shiamak Davar’s dance classes.
 
 
How was your experience working with Shiamak Davar? Whatever I am doing right now is because of him. I had initially joined Shiamak’s beginner’s course and was straightaway selected as a dancer in his troupe. In 2005, I first came to Mumbai to Yash Raj Studios to dance for Filmfare Awards and then went to Australia for the Commonwealth Games in 2006. Shiamak told me that I was not his best dancer, but I was given a place in his first row of dancers. The first star I danced with was Aishwarya Rai at Filmfare Awards. Dancing allowed me to travel to
Australia as well as make money. Even though I had joined DCE, I spent most of my time with Shiamak and Barry. Initially, I went to Shiamak as I loved dancing and wanted to be with girls, as we did not have girls in my engineering batch. But when I started performing, I realised that this is what I wanted to do. I used to smoke in the room and he would get miffed as no one else smoked in his group. He had told me, ‘You are not the finest, but you have something so you should join theatre.’
After three years of studying engineering, I realised I was getting claustrophobic in college and wanted to be on stage. I thought if nothing else would happen, I would open a stall at Filmcity and make my own short films. So, I came to Mumbai. I joined Nadira Babbar’s theatre group and was a part of it for the first two-and-a-half years after which Balaji’s casting team made me audition for Pavitra Rishta. Ekta saw my look test and told me, ‘I will make you a star’. 

Three of India’s leading directors — Raju Hirani, Maneesh Sharma and Abhishek Kapoor — have signed you for their films? How did that happen?
    
I enjoyed dancing more than acting as I started as a dancer. When the lights would come on, I would forget that I was a background dancer on stage and used to feel it was only me on stage. I was always star-struck. The first time I danced with Ash, I was just analysing and seeing her beauty and I was supposed to lift her. I lifted her and she said, ‘Please don’t drop me, Sushant’. I couldn’t believe that she was talking to me. I remember coming

to YRF waiting in a queue and filling up a form to enter and was in total awe of the place. Shiamak said at that time, ‘Don’t get excited, you will feature in their films one day’. I danced in a Bunty Aur Babli song standing behind Abhishek Bachchan. Jaideep Sahni had written that film and now, he has written the script for the film I am featuring in.
    I left Pavitra Rishta after doing it for two years, as the story was going all over the place. I then did Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and got 10 perfect scores in 11 weeks. Madhuri once told me off camera, ‘You have to teach me how to dance. I want to dance with you’. I used to get embarrassed when she said this. After my performance she would always say, ‘I have nothing to say and
just want to come and hug Sushant as he is so good’. I was sitting in a coffee shop when I met Mukesh Chabra, the casting director for Kai Po Che. I auditioned for it and got selected. I was overweight and was to play a 23-yearold cricketer and lost 14 kilos in the next four weeks. I thought I would need to do at least five-to-six big films before I could work with Raju Hirani. But he called me once and asked me to audition for P.K. He saw my audition and told me to have tea for one hour till he showed it to Vidhu Vinod Chopra. I was committed to doing two films with UTV before I could do another film. Raju Hirani called Siddharth Roy Kapoor and said, ‘I want your boy for my film’. In less than 10 seconds, Siddharth said yes and I was on.

You have already shot with directors Abhishek Kapoor and Maneesh Sharma. What were they like? Maneesh is upfront and tells you on your face and is a good actor himself. Apart from his filmmaking skills, he will never manipulate his words. Abhishek is passionate and cannot sleep when he is making the film. He says only two things, ‘Maza aa raha hain’ or ‘maza nahi aa raha hain’. They are both different, but wonderful. 

When did you start seeing Ankita? She was my co-star in Pavitra Rishta and I was attracted to her. It was organic and we started seeing each other after four months of working together. Actors spend so much time together when you do TV that you come to know each other well. It’s now been three-and-a-half years and we are living together and I am happy in my relationship. 

Do you see yourself getting married to Ankita? Most probably, this year only. She never forces me to do anything. The best thing about her is, she is not a hypocrite and does not manipulate. You can see through her. I see the effort she is taking to adapt to my life in films even though she is possessive, for instance, if I need to do an intimate scene in a film. I am not that expressive, but I try and let her know that I love her.

Sushant Singh Rajput

Sushant Singh Rajput. Watch him talk about his film Kai Po Che

Chitrangda Singh on movies, marriage and her mentor

NO MATTER WHAT THE HEADLINES SCREAM, I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH SUDHIR

Chitrangda Singh on movies, marriage and her mentor


You play a victim of sexual harassment at workplace in your upcoming film, Inkaar. Have you faced it in the industry? I haven’t. I’m not saying that nobody looked at me lecherously or hugged me in that way. Of course they do, but that can happen even at family functions. In Bollywood, nobody forces you; it is the choice you make.
Tell us about your character Maya... She is totally grey, like all of us are in real life. She thinks it is her right as much as a man’s to be ambitious. Sometimes, she manipulates because that is what everybody around her is doing. And then, there is the sexual harassment case that she files against the man she loved.
There seems to be a lot of explicit content in the film. Any embarrassing moment? There was some awkwardness. You cannot disconnect with your self or your body completely. During intimate scenes, everybody on the set would give instructions like hand here, body there, we need to see the neck part… I would feel a bit awkward and suddenly, Arjun would crack
some joke. It was very sensitive of him to lighten the moment.
How was it working with Arjun? He is a wicked guy (laughs) with a wicked sense of humour. The best thing about him is that he is so real, there is no pretence. It takes a while to understand him, but he is a wonderful guy.
You are one of the few actresses who got into movies after marriage… For me, that is the way it happened; I don’t know any other way. Cinema is a great place where you are valued for your talent and the audience is the boss. You work if they connect with you, not because you are married or single, hot or not… nothing matters.
You were talked about post the release of Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, but you disappeared for about four years. Do you regret it? Looking back, I regret it. But I can’t tell you how unambitious I was. I felt if I go to Mumbai, I will have to take up a place, go to offices, meet people…I was not ready for so much work. I was too keen on travelling across the world and doing other
things, though I missed
movies and acting.

    Ifeel happy that I gave time to my family; I am feeling more settled, focussed and committed now. If I had come back earlier, I would have felt torn emotionally. Now, I am sure this is what I want to do.
Your husband Jyoti Randhawa is a sportsman who lives in Delhi and you are spending a lot of time in Mumbai...how do you both deal with insecurities? Thank God that he is not from the same industry. There is no insecurity. I have known Jyoti for so many years. We have grown up together. Friendship is a big thing in any relationship and we have that in place, which helps me face a lot of challenges.
It is said that your mentor Sudhir Mishra is obsessed with you. How do you deal with the situation at home? Sudhir is like my guru. There is so much respect for him; I am grateful for whatever he has done for me. People like to give names to relationships, but
I would call it friendship. No matter what the headlines scream, I will continue working with Sudhir. In fact, Sudhir has come home and we have had meals together.
You live alone in Mumbai. Do you feel safe? I feel a lot safer here than in Delhi. Mumbai gives you a lot of independence, too.

Chitrangda Singh

Chitrangda Singh

‘Rajev is rude, Delnaaz is acting like a bechari,’ says Sapna Bhavnani, who was evicted from Bigg Boss recently

‘Rajev is rude,
Delnaaz is acting like a bechari,’ says Sapna Bhavnani, who was evicted from Bigg Boss recently

Sapna Bhavnani, the outspoken Bigg Boss contestant, who had no qualms taking on even the host Salman Khan was evicted from the house last week. And is she glad to be out! The celebrity hairstylist says that from week one she was mentally ready to be out and is shocked that she lasted so long on the show. “I was told the show would be alag, about youth and role models but there was nothing alag about it. I would have loved to see Aseem Trivedi or Sampat Pal win the show. Honestly, I don’t know why Sana (Khan) Rajev (Paul) and Delnaaz (Irani) are still in the house,” says Sapna. She is especially angry with Rajev who she thinks was obnoxious and rude to Delnaz and also politically incorrect. “I hope women beat him up when he is out. The thing that irritated me was the way women were portrayed. There’s Sana who is only concerned about makeup, heels and image. Delnaaz was taking s**t from all angles and acting so bechari. She has it in her to retaliate. You have a big platform to send a strong social message but she didn’t stand her ground.” Ask her if she believes the show fulfilled the criteria of being parivarik and she says, “Yes, it was all about pati patni aur woh. It was so irritating.” Sapna did not even spare the host Salman Khan who she says is not God. “We can have differences and it’s ok. Just because you are the No.1 star, you don’t have to act in a certain way. I leave behind who he is and his status,” says Sapna, who had a fight with Salman when she was in the house.

Rohit Bakshi, who will be debuting in Bollywood, talks about the transition and the volatile nature of relationships in the industry

From small to big screen
Rohit Bakshi, who will be debuting in Bollywood, talks about the transition and the volatile nature of relationships in the industry


Having been a popular face on television, Rohit Bakshi decided to take the jump to the big screen and is debuting with Dehraadun Diary. He also has been in news over speculations about his relationship with Aashka Goradia, evicted Bigg Boss contestant.
“Having played positive, negative and historical roles on TV, I wanted to try something new and grow as an actor. So, I started looking for opportunities in Bollywood,” says Rohit. He says acting just happened to him as he was picked up for his first TV show without any audition, thus marking his transition from modeling to acting.
Rohit also quips that being in the industry for so long, he has become “more thick-skinned” as he does not want his work to suffer due to rumours or speculations. Clearing the air about his relationship status with his girlfriend TV actress, Aashka Goradia, he states, “I had gone to pick her up and drop her when she was in Bigg Boss for 83 days. Just because I did not show up in between, on the sets of the show does not mean that I don’t care. I was busy promoting my debut film and Aashka had little idea about it. Hence, all the misunderstanding.” He also states that being in the limelight does take its toll on relationships.
Talking about his transition from small screen to movies, he says everything remains the same except the time given to experiment. “In a 12-hour shift in TV, you have to wrap up almost 12 scenes in a day. Whereas in movies you shoot only one or two scenes a day. This gives an actor more time to prepare, so he can give his 100 per cent,” Rohit gushes on.




Sofia’s party scuffle

Sofia’s party scuffle
One of Sofia Vergara’s breasts popped out of her sexy strapless number as she fell to the ground at a New Year’s Eve party. The Modern Family star strutted into Story, a Miami nightclub, in a suggestive outfit with ample cleavage on display. The long blue dress almost reached the ground, but the leather top left little to imagination.
A fight broke out at a table near Vergara, who was partying with her fiance, Nick Loeb, so she stepped over to break up the skirmish but got knocked to the floor, according to TMZ.com. Although the buxom beauty was not hurt, her seductive leather top could not contain her famous breasts, as one bounced free toward the flashbulbs.
Loeb was reportedly so furious at the man who knocked into Vergara that security forced him to leave the VIP section. Loeb even sustained a few bruises from the incident, according to reports.

A reunion for Beyonce, Gaga?

A reunion for Beyonce, Gaga?

Beyonce Knowles and Lady Gaga have hinted that they are finally preparing a follow-up track to their hit song Telephone, by wearing earrings with the single’s name Ratchet etched on them. The video to the 2010 song had promised ‘to be continued’ — now the sequel appears to be on its way. A few months back, Lady Gaga had posted a photograph of herself wearing earrings with the word Ratchet written on them, the Sun reported.
Now, Beyonce has followed it up with an image of the same item hanging from her ears. Gaga had previously confirmed that she was singing a new song called Ratchet, co-written by rapper Azealia Banks. The track will be Beyonce’s and Gaga’s third collaboration together, the first was for Beyonce’s track Video Phone in 2009.


It’s a child’s play! Amidst the 3 days of fun and frolic, the 12th International Children’s Festival ensures that everyone takes a message back home

It’s a child’s play!
Amidst the 3 days of fun and frolic, the 12th International Children’s Festival ensures that everyone takes a message back home

For three consecutive days, the premises of Shanmukhanada Hall and Mysore Association Auditorium has seen a huge gathering of children from all over the globe. The 12th International Children’s Festival of Performing Arts (ICFPA), which revolves around the theme ‘One World for Children’, aims at establishing a stronger bond among the young cultural ambassadors of the world. The festival kick-started on January 4 with an opening parade by schoolchildren. With over 12,000 children from Mumbai and over 400 students and artistes from 18 countries, the festival focuses on global identity and broadens the horizons of understanding of different cultures through dance, drama and workshops.
The Indian children’s performances included an imaginative piece with large puppets and directed by Anurupa Roy, a ballet performance, and a high energy drum performance. Budding talents from Malaysia, Zambia, Turkey and Italy are scheduled to stage their productions on the concluding day on January 7.
Utkarsh Marwah, festival director, says, “This is a perfect place for children from different parts of the world to showcase their talents in an unfettered manner. Children from India and other countries meet to present their ideas, dreams and hopes... their language being drama, action, dance and music. Today, children play more with gadgets than with toys. The concept of toys and dolls is gone. Through theatre we intend to introduce a contemporary form of art so they understand creativity and are not just attracted to glitz and glamour.”

An ode to Ravi shankar A tribute show is being organised for the sitar legend a month after his demise

An ode to Ravi shankar
A tribute show is being organised for the sitar legend a month after his demise

Shraddhanjali, Aadaranjali and Swaranjali ­— an ode to the late maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, is a tribute by vocalist Soma Ghosh and Pandit Rajendra Varman. We caught up with Soma to know more about the show…

Tell us what’s in store?
As a tribute to Pandit Ravi Shankarji, I have written a poem. Zakir Hussain, Gulzar saab, and other eminent dignitaries from our cultural sphere will say a few words. Panditji’s disciple will play the sitar as well. The concert will also see sitar playing by Shri Zunain Khan, Pandit Arvind Parikh, Shri Ganesh Mohan and Pandit Kartik Kumar.

Have you worked with Pt Ravi Shankar ever?
Panditji has been my inspiration ever since I was a 12-year-old. He had an organisation in Benaras called the RIMPA and he used to conduct regular workshops there. It was from him that I realised the nuances of music, how a musician becomes complete. I learnt to pay attention to looks, costumes, and all other nuances that go into making of an artiste. He used to love having thandai at a shop near that place. And that used to be our favourite haunt as kids too. I connected with him later for a concert; he was supposed to come but unfortunately he couldn’t make it.

Tell us about your memories of him?
I hold fond childhood memories with Panditji. You can say he is the Dronacharya to this Eklavya.

‘I am more carefree today’ Birthday girl Bipasha Basu is living it up with her friends and family in Goa on her special day

‘I am more carefree today’
Birthday girl Bipasha Basu is living it up with her friends and family in Goa on her special day

What are your thoughts as you turn a year older?
My thoughts are quite strange... All my friends say I am like a high school girl. When I was actually in high school, I used to have a lot of responsibilities and was working 24X7. Today, I am more carefree than I was earlier.

How are you celebrating your birthday?
Birthdays have always been special to me. I thought my interest will wane over the years but no, I still love surprises and gifts. Age is not a factor for me. I am one of those people who want to live till they are 100. Life is a celebration. This time I will be in Goa with a lot of friends and my family, which will be fun.

Any plans for the year ahead?
I have several interesting films like Aatma and another one with Vikram (Bhatt) coming up. All my forthcoming films will see me in central roles and I will be involved in the marketing and post-production. I will also be investing a lot more in the business of fitness. I am planning to set up a fitness studio.

Which would you say has been your best film till date?
It has to be Raaz 3. It was my toughest role. I am not a dark person, so playing evil was harrowing. It was emotionally draining. I am a fun-loving, talkative person but during the shoot of this film I used to be reserved and lost in my thoughts. It really disturbed me. Nobody wants to dabble in black magic (on screen) because they are concerned about their image but I took it up as a challenge.

What have been your high and low points?
There have been many high points but the lowest came when I got swine flu. I realised that health is the most important thing. Eight years ago I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis. I cried for three days and after that went for alternative therapy. I did weight training and today when people say I am fit, I feel proud.

What prompted you to launch a dance DVD?
Everybody loves to dance. I thought that would be the best way to make lazy people active because most of them don’t like the gym routine.

What about marriage? When will we see you tying the knot?
Marriage is definitely on my mind as I believe in the institution. It is for keeps and comes with a lot of responsibilities. Besides attraction, it is important to be friends with the person who is your soul mate. He should be able to accept a woman who is strong and be proud of the things she does.