SRK TO GET 8-PACK?

Focus back on actor’s abs; he might go the whole hog for Farah Khan’s next directorial venture

It’s been five years since SRK sported a six-pack, so we need to go beyond that
—Director Farah Khan

The last time Farah Khan directed Shah Rukh Khan, he hit the gym with a vengeance. The results were the much-talked about six-pack abs he sported in Om Shanti Om (OSO; 2007). Now, as Farah gets ready to direct SRK again in Happy New Year, it seems like the actor will have to do a gazillion more ab crunches. This time, Farah wants him to sport the ultimate eight-pack. A source close to the film’s unit says, “Farah has conveyed to SRK that they need to go a step further as the audience expects more from them as a team. SRK has agreed to work hard and get an eight-pack by the time the film goes on the floors around September.”
Shah Rukh sported his six-pack in Om Shanti Om

Though Farah refused to confirm the news, she gave us enough to read between the lines: “SRK was to take off his shirt in Main Hoon Na (2004), but he got away with excuses. In OSO, he kept his promise and worked hard to get that sexy look. He still has life-size pictures of those six-pack abs at his home gym.” Will he sport an eight-pack? “It’s been five years since he sported a six-pack, so of course we need to go beyond that. I need to present him differently. We will surprise the audience again. But until SRK says it’s okay to talk, I can’t confirm his look,” says the director. SRK is co-producing the film with Farah. She says, “We make a good team. Our last fight has made our bond grow stronger.”

TECH THAT: ARJAN BAJWA

TECH THAT: ARJAN BAJWA

What’s your dream phone?
I’d want one that lets me call the right people at the right time and reminds me of all my follow-ups as well, without me feeding in any reminders.

An app you can’t live without?
BlackBerry Messenger. It makes life simple and enables you to be in touch with people from all over the world with a click of a button.

One ringtone that irritates you the most?

Ringtones with loud songs. A phone ring has to sound like a phone ring.

What do you use your phone for the most?
Making calls and receiving and sending emails. It saves time as you can access the Internet on phone anytime.

What do you wish your phone could do?

I wish it didn’t need charging and that it never runs out of battery power. And it never loses the network anywhere on the planet!

UNVEILING NEW COLLECTION

GOING GREEK!
UNVEILING NEW COLLECTION
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30
NAPEAN SEA ROAD
This do hosted by Nisha
Jamvwal saw H.E. Ioannis
Raptakis, the Ambassador
of Greece, and his wife Polyxeni
Fermani attending. The evening
saw the likes of Shama Sikander
with Alex O’Neil, Gulshan Grover,
Rashmi Uday Singh, Krishika
Lulla, Luke Kenny, Vidya
Malavade, Suchitra
Krishnamurthy, Debbie Hitakri,
Tulip Joshi with Captain Vinod
Nair, Rajiv Paul, Devieka and
Suresh Bhojwani, Dalip Tahil,
Parvez and Roshni Damania and
Rahul with Amrita Raichand
among many others.
An extravagant
Greek
buffet was
organised
for the
guests. FUN!
PARTY METER
ALL SMILES: Shama Sikander with Alex O’Neil; Suchitra Krishnamurthy; Vidya Malavade
‘TWO’GETHER: Tulip Joshi
with Captain Vinod Nair
IN ATTENDANCE: Luke Kenny; Kunika Sadanand, Dalip Tahil; Gulshan Grover
COUNT US IN: Rashmi Uday Singh; Devieka with Suresh Bhojwani; and Ionis Raptakis
MY COLOUR: Krishika Lulla
HOST &
DOST:
Nisha
Jamvwal
Ashwini Sawant
GROUP PARTY
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30
WORLI
Just chilling!
PARTY TIME: Viren Shah; Roshni and Parvez Damania; Rohit Khurana, Rakesh Paul; and Nikhil Arya
HAVIN’ FUN: Suniel Shetty; Pankaj Udhas; Roop Kumar Rathod
Rajneesh Londhe
STRIKE
A POSE:
Amy
Billimoria;
Nandini
Singh
The Action Team of the
National Sports Club of India
threw a party before the
upcoming NSCI elections.
The guests had fun as they
enjoyed their cocktails and
food. Suniel Shetty was the big
draw of the evening, as he
came to support the members.
Others present at the
do were Viren Shah, Amy
Bilimoria, Rakesh Paul, Nikhil
Arya and Nandini Singh. From
the music fraternity
Roop
Kumar
Rathod
and
Pankaj
Udhas were
also present.
INTERESTING!


Foodies only
NEW VENTURE
TUESDAY, MAY 29
ANDHERI
The opening of th
new food outlet
the suburbs
turned out to be cold
as hardly a few celeb
were able to make it
few of them who ma
it were Amy with
Farzaad Billimoria,
Siddharth Kannan,
Rajeev and Rakesh
Paul and Aditya Sing
Rajput. The guests
enjoyed a variety of
grilled food on displa
NOT HAPPENING
PARTY METER
Pramod Thakur
LET’S EAT: Aditya Rajput; Siddharth Kanan; Rajeev Pa
FOOD OUTING: Vikram
Gokhale with his wife
PAR
Ashwini
Sawant
SNAPPED
Genelia
Deshmukh
stepped out
for an event
Rajneesh
Londhe
(Top) Sanjay
Leela Bhansali,
Bela Sehgal
and Madhuri
Dixit attended
the first look
event of Shirin
Farhad Ki Toh
Nikal Padi; (L)
Lead actors
Farah Khan
and Boman
Irani show
off their
moves, (R)
Sunil Lulla
Prachi Desai
attended an
event

Album Review - Album: Topiwalleh Band: Swarathma

Album Review

Album: Topiwalleh Band: Swarathma Rating: Swarathma’s latest offering, a 10-song album titled Topiwalleh, is a package of musical refreshment in a true sense. The Bengaluru-based folk rock band has recreated its trademark musical storytelling style of harping on a social message through a musical medium — the hard-hitting, witty lyrics lashing out at issues like the state of affairs, corrupt politicians and the darker facets of society like child abuse (the track Ghum is centred around this), religion (Yeshu, Allah Aur Krishna) etc, blended with high energy notes that translate into a one-of-its-kind musical drama. And all this with an impeccable stage show makes the album, and of course the band, stand out! While the album is certainly a delightful treat for the devoted followers of the band, it is nothing less than a pleasant and gripping musical chant for a first time listener too. The album opens with the title track Topiwalleh, a daringly honest, playful mockery of the politicians — ripping apart their several ‘social stints’. Duur Kinara is a spellbinding, mellifluous Kannada-Hindi motif with artist Shuba Mudgal’s sonorous voice for embellishments. Tracks like Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar, Mukhote, Khul Ja Re and Yeshu Allah Aur Krishna, capture the raw, earthy elements, the folk-rock fusion, and high voltage energy — which are both contagious and consistent. However, watching the band play these songs live is an experience unmatched, and purists may complain that the visual ethos and the performance charm do not translate completely on to the tape. But if there was something called a socially responsible music, without diluting the sensory pleasure even by an iota, Swarathma’s Topiwalleh sure would have defined it aptly!

Anurag goes the Yash chopra way!

Anurag goes the Yash chopra way!

Seems like veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra has a follower — we aren’t talking about his sons Aditya or Uday — but director Anurag Kashyap. Says a source, “Anurag is the only person besides Yash Chopra to make a film on Dhanbad and the coal mafia there. Yash Chopra had made Kaala Patthar with actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha and Shashi Kapoor in the late ’70s and the film went on to became a huge success. Anurag has seen Kaala Patthar. Not that his film is inspired from it, but he has seen it for research. In fact Gangs of Wasseypur is Anurag’s first out and out commercial film.”

A watch that supersizes the best and worst within us

A watch that supersizes the best and worst within us

When Game of Thrones first premiered here last year, it gave no inkling as to how addictive it would go on to become. Perhaps it was the very elements that made it commonplace here, that later made for compelling draw, enough to return to, with bated breath, every week up until the first season ended. Because we too have epic tales set against a fantastical backdrop, elaborate sets. We too have overreaching tales where feuding royals battle for what’s important to them — kingdoms, land, honour… family. We too have mirrors held up, to ourselves — both the best and the worst in us — in our living rooms, as emotions span the gamut: envy, greed, lust, betrayal or then grace, strength, loyalty, valour. Somewhere along the way, these similarities stopped being a reason not to pay attention to this dramatic Western miniseries, anchored so much in our own, indeed global sensibility of the eternal human condition, that constant striving to defend/fightfor beliefs, no matter the cost. Instead it became a reason as to why, not just me, but my family and peers and (as I later learned) many others too, tuned into Game of Thrones with as much attention as the audiences abroad that it was originally made for. The critically-acclaimed series, which incidentally picked up numerous awards including a Golden Globe this year and an Emmy for Best Drama, apart from being nominated/awarded in other categories (best supporting actors, etc), follows the fates of four dynastic families as they fight for the Iron Throne. Beyond the intrigues of their own contained drama, lies something bigger than them all — the untamed ice-covered North, where dark things move and to the East, the heathen tribes (with dragon eggs, not hatched for centuries) — both of which are now rising. Presented on an epic scale (it has been compared to the iconic Lord of the Rings) and made on huge budgets, spanning panoramic locales and shot all over the world (ensuring high production values, naturally), the series is based on RR Martin’s novels by the same name. Season Two, which started in India this week begins where the first season left off — the King’s Hand, popular character Ned Stark beheaded, his two daughters in enemy territory, his young son attempting to group feuding families together to help bring his sisters to safety. Add to this the wiles of the underage poisonous monarch born of incest, the Northern horrors rising in the ice and young dragons hatched to the East with the dead heathen’s blonde wife and here’s a recipe for a riveting enough second season. Watch it, certainly with family and friends, though the little ones may be spared the big battles and the blood and gore that comes with an epic fantasy tale that, as an international critic put it, is ‘made for adults, by adults.’

‘No marriage talks please!’ …says actor Randeep Hooda, dismissing all rumours of tying the knot with girlfriend, actor Neetu Chandra any time soon

‘No marriage talks please!’

…says actor Randeep Hooda, dismissing all rumours of tying the knot with girlfriend, actor Neetu Chandra any time soon

Actor Randeep Hooda, who’s had a hat-trick of sorts with three back-to-back hits, admits that while his roles in Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai and Sahib, Biwi Aur Gangster were much-appreciated, it’s post his latest release Jannat 2 that the industry’s looking at him with renewed interest. So, from playing the second fiddle, the actor’s now looking at scripts where he’s the solo lead. But Randeep insists that acting in a solo or a multi-starrer film is never a criteria for choosing a film. “Ï agree that being offered solo hero projects is encouraging, but for me the only pull are films that excite me or challenge me in some way,” he says. As for the sudden jump in the credibility of the actor, Randeep adds that it’s difficult to point out what triggered the change. “Well, I’ve always been here, but I think the perception of my bankability increasing over the past months has much to do with the fact that there’s been a merging of appreciation as well as success for me at the BO,” explains the actor who’s currently working in Jism 2. There’s also buzz in the industry about Randeep being the new blue-eyed boy of the Bhatts, now that their favoured actor Emraan Hashmi is busy with films outside the banner. But the actor waves it off. “The only thing here is that I trust them, so whenever they have a good project, I’d want to work with them,” he adds. About the other buzzword, marketing, the actor insists that he’s yet to get a hang of that bit. “I’ve always believed that if you do good work, you will be noticed, whether you feature on the posters or not and I would want to stick to that belief,” he adds. On a high professionally, the actor’s personal life too is buzzing with talks of him tying the knot with rumoured girlfriend, actor Neetu Chandra soon. But the actor is quick to dismiss all such talks. “No marriage talk please. I am not getting married anytime soon,” he says. “There was a time, when I used to speak about my personal life, but now I realise that I don’t want to be in the news for my link-ups. I am here in my capacity as an actor, so I’d rather be spoken about for my work than relationships. All my focus is on my work alone,” quips Randeep.

Small screen’s big bonanza! Post the cricketing season, the tube is all set to bring out fresh new shows to keep the viewers entertained

Small screen’s big bonanza!

Post the cricketing season, the tube is all set to bring out fresh new shows to keep the viewers entertained

Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 5 Channel: Colors What’s special: The show is back with its fifth season and like every year, everyone is curious to watch their favourite celebrities shake a leg. But what makes it interesting is that the last four seasons are known to have a mix set of contestants from different walks of life, but this time around it seems the channel is focusing mostly on actors. In fact if the names making the rounds are to be believed then apart from cricketer Sanath Jayasurya, the rest are all related to entertainment industry. MAdhubala Channel: Colors Time: Mon-Friday, 8.30 pm What’s special: The channel has launched this first-ever magnum-opus against the backdrop of the film industry, on small screen with Madhubala...Ek Ishq, Ek Junoon. Though many films have been made on the life of filmstars and real struggle but a love story set against this background on tube is new. Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke Channel: Zee Time: Monday to Friday 7.30 pm What’s special: Well, it’s a story about the mixed feelings and problems of adolescence. The show is a story of two 16 girls and their journey from teenage to adulthood. The reminisce of first love to bunking lectures in college and going for late night movies, etc, it’s got it all, like the once hit series Hip hip Hurray. Zee brings a colourful tale of Gunjan and Rachna and their absolutely diverse from worlds. DID L’IL MASTERS Channel: Zee TV Time: Sat–Sunday 9pm What’s special: So this show really didn’t wait for the cricket fever to subside, as we guess the makers of the show were confident that even cricket cannot hinder its popularity. Judges Master Geeta Kapur and Marzi Pestonji will now watch the growth of the short listed talented Top 16 kids, who will be trained by the previous, DID seasons’ top contenders. The best part of course is to watch the little ones groove to reach the winner’s position. Gumrah Channel: Star Plus Time: Sat-Sun 8 pm What’s special: Well this isn’t a new show, but because of its popularity amongst the viewers the reality teen crime show is now being shifted to Star Plus from Channel [V]. The show that encapsulates real-life teenage crimes peppered with messages, warnings, solutions and an in-depth psychoanalysis of a teenager’s psyche. Byaah Hamari Bahoo Ka? Channel: Sony Time: Mon-Fri 8 pm What’s special: The name itself sounds very interesting, as from the promos one can make out that the protagonist is everyone’s favourite in the family. But then why is the Vaishnav family all set to get their daughter-in-law Rajni, remarried? Indian Idol 6 Channel: Sony Time: Fri-Sat 8.30 pm What’s special: Of course, it’s the Indian version of the American Idol and the audition rounds are the most watched too, thanks to a variety of contestants who come in to try their luck. It’s no less than a masala film with loads of emotions, some real talented gems and some real funny ones. Besides this season has a new addition to the judges list and that’s none other than singing sensation Asha Bhosale.

Thoda hatke Gastronomics take heart... the city is in for a treat with some unusually themed food festivals

Thoda hatke

Gastronomics take heart... the city is in for a treat with some unusually themed food festivals

Are you a foodie and bored with what’s on offer? The city now offers ways to experiment with some new flavours and open your mind (and stomach) to an evolving world of food. Saptami, a multi-cuisine restuarant hosted an herb festival ‘Herbalicious’. Executive Chef Sudhir Pai pulled a leaf from ancient food history and introduced a menu inspired by herbs. Sudhir says, “We always try to do some unique festivals. These days’ people travel far and wide and are aware about various cuisines and types of foods.” The special menu had dishes prepared with thyme, tarragon, parsley, rosemary, mint, fennel, brahmi etc was a treat for food connoisseurs. “People are very health conscious these days and have accepted the food very well. We used herbs which have nutritional as well as medicinal values,” adds Sudhir. You can treat yourself to carrot and roast garlic soup baby fenugreek; thyme and garlic scented prawns on a bed of mango couscous salad; and rosemary and parmesan crusted New Zealand lamb rack with red wine jus and garlic mash. As the world celebrates National Asparagus month, it’s time to get out of your comfort zone and indulge in this seasonal delicacy this week at Shamiana, The Zodiac Grill and Wasabi. Chef Hemant Oberoi has twisted this aristocratic vegetable into some exciting new avatars. Hemant says, “We are excited to bring the asparagus mania to Mumbai when this exotic vegetable is at its best. Guests can enjoy an array of asparagus delicacies prepared with a green, white and purple asparagus specially imported from Europe to bring out the best flavour to the dishes. Since asparagus is low in calories and high on vitamin C, it finds a place on the must-have lists of health conscious guests too, Hemant adds. At Wasabi you can enjoy authentic contemporary Japanese cuisine made with this exotic ingredient. You can even zing up your meal with Elbo Room’s Lime and Lemon Fest. Enjoy Insalata di vista salad; smoked Salmon on preserved eggs; crispy Calamari spiced-tender Corn O-bento and finish the night of with a tangy lemon cheesecake. “Lime is very versatile and adds tanginess in any dish. People don’t actually go looking for lime/lemon dishes. But it actually adds flavour to food. Hence, we decided to dedicate a food festival just to lime and lemon,” says owner Ravi Sharma. With all the food options out there, there’s no saying where the indulgence will end! Happy trails!

WTF! Using foul language in films has caught the fancy of filmmakers, but is the audience comfortable with it?

WTF!

Using foul language in films has caught the fancy of filmmakers, but is the audience comfortable with it?

Actor Emraan Hashmi has confessed that the excessive use of cuss words in Jannat-2 cost the film a business of Rs 10 crore. No, not because it was certified ‘A’ but because “teenagers felt embarrassed to see it along with the elders”! Not only that, he even admitted that in future he will think twice before doing a film that has unwarranted abusive language. This coming from the hero of the hit film is a huge revelation and begs the question: how much is too much? According to pyschcologist Seema Hingorani, there is an alarming trend of using bad words among kids, the youth and even married couples. “Kids feel it’s cool to swear at others. I have so many parents coming to me to help their children get rid of the habit. Films and actors are the role models, influencing them in a huge way and this is having a negative impact on the society,” says Hingorani. She cites an example of a teenager who wanted to watch Delhi Belly “only to learn the cuss words and use it on his friends”. However, Abhinay Deo, who directed Delhi Belly, the film that broke the barriers when it came to freely using the ‘F’ word argues that cinema mirrors society. “If you go to any college canteen and listen to the youth lingo, it will put even Delhi Belly to shame. We have been shying away from some of the realities for so long that when a film like this comes, it becomes shocking,” explains Deo. He reckons that the item songs or the implied bad language shown in ‘U’ films is crassier than what was shown in Delhi Belly. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, whose Gangs of Wasseypur is set to release this month reveals that his film has a liberal dose of cuss words typically used by North Indians. “My film is set in Dhanbad, it’s about illiterate gangsters and gaali galauch is part of their natural lingo. We need to get over our moralities and leave the audience to decide for themselves,” he quips. He, however, admits that the option of using bad words is completely upto the filmmaker. He gives the example of Paan Singh Tomar, which is set in Chambal and is known for its abusive language. “But director Tigmanshu Dhulia refrained from incorporating it in the film. Had I been in his place I would have definitely used it,” he swears!

‘I am no hero for my kids’ …says actor Shah Rukh Khan, who’s been in the news for all the wrong reasons…and right (in the end)!

‘I am no hero for my kids’

…says actor Shah Rukh Khan, who’s been in the news for all the wrong reasons…and right (in the end)!

Celebrating his team’s recent victory, actor Shah Rukh Khan is in an exuberant mood as After Hrs catches up with him at his palatial Mannat. “I know people have been talking about my insanity, saying midlife crisis hai, making careers trying to analyse me… but as insane as it actually sounds, to be honest for that one moment I actually believed that I could fly. In fact, I would have taken off the railing, had (wife) Gauri and (daughter) Suhana not pulled me back,” says Shah Rukh, “More than worrying about what they all had to say about my insanity, I’m thinking of working on my cartwheel, as Aryan had pointed out that my landing was not perfect!” But talking about his recent Wankhede fiasco, the actor clarifies that the only people who he does owe an apology to are his children and the audience. “I’m an employee of my audience and there’s simply no justification for abusing in front of them or my children,” he says. The win has come as a breather for the actor, who admits that not just the past few days, but even the past few months haven’t been easy. “Yes, my heart’s broken by whatever has happened in the past six-seven months. I’ve been hurt by my own people,” he says talking about the intense scrutiny and countless speculation surrounding his personal life. “I am no role model, and there’s no ‘grow up to be like papa’ happening at my home ever, but my kids do get affected with all that’s going around. Every day I wake up making a joke about what gets written about me, just so my kids don’t take it seriously. I’m no hero for my kids and they don’t take me as a hero, but I’m still their dad.” That, says Shah Rukh, is also one of the reasons why he’s gone off Twitter. “I don’t want to be explaining myself, and be abused by people who won’t have the guts to say any of it on my face,” quips the actor. “People exist in small boxes of judgement and limitations and when they do not have any power over me, they try to hurt me, whereas all that I’ve done is tried to entertain my audiences and have only wanted to be liked in return! I just wish they would be happy instead of being so cynical all the time.” As for his films, the Badshah will soon be seen on his home turf with a romantic film this year, for which he will be leaving for London soon for the next shoot schedule, but the actor insists that it would be unfair to compare this Yash Chopra film with one of his best ever Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. “I can’t do a Dilwale again. I was 31 then! I don’t think it can ever be the same, it can be better or not, but can’t be the same. I would never want to do the same thing again!” signs off the star.