The butterfy effect

Dirt, grime and pollution had left my once flawless complexion dull and oily. And yes, how can I forget that niggling ache in my neck, thanks to sitting hunched in front of the computer for insane hours.

Even when my trusted make-up products failed to give my glow back, I finally decided to go in for a massage to rejuvenate my senses.

The first step

So I decided to fix an appointment at Butterfly pond at Cuffe Parade. Why Butterfly Pond? Firstly, the name intrigued me and secondly I never had a massage done before.

As I made my way to the parlour, I saw huge cutouts of butterflies in vibrant hues that decorated the outer walls of the salon. I realised I had reached my destination.

Sylvia Cheng, the host put my curiosity to rest.

As the name suggests, it's made of two words - Butterfly and Pond. Just as a butterfly undergoes constant transition and then reaches its beautiful stage, similarly the salon strives to transform its customers to make them look and feel pretty. And the pond symbolises my oasis where my needs will be catered to.

As I soaked in the salon's interiors in vibrant hues of orange, fuchsia pink and aqua blue, Sylvia worked on finding the right treatment for a first timer.

After some deliberation, she suggested the spa prestige massage.

Road to nirvana

After a quick change to my bare essentials, I was left in the expert hands of therapist Sushma Bali.

Sushma started off by applying a serum on my entire body. This was followed by a mixture of an exfoliating scrub and cream. She massaged this concoction gently on my hands, legs and back for around 45 minutes. The gentle kneading eased that niggling pain in my neck.

The scrub exfoliated while the moisturising quality of the cream left my skin feeling soft and supple. After the massage, Sushma wrapped my hands and legs in a muslin cloth to ensure that the skin remained soft and the moisturiser seeped deep inside.

Then came the most interesting part of the treatment. Room temperature water was mixed with the mud pack, which was then applied on a silver foil and wrapped around my body. The warmth of the mud pack coupled with the foil heated the water and provided immediate and much needed relief to my sore muscles. This lasted for around half an hour.

After two-and-a half hours of total pampering, I was in perfect bliss. My skin was glowing and I felt ethereal. All for just Rs 2,500!

I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.

'Ask my shrink why I make romantic flicks'

"People have still not seen my film. So how can they pass judgements? They can decide if Love Aaj Kal is inspired by a foreign film only after seeing it," says a nonchalant and slightly stressed Imtiaz Ali. Speculations are rife that his soon-to-be-released film is inspired by the Taiwanese movie Three Times. Right now the critically acclaimed film-maker is zipping in and out of studios and is inundated with phone calls as part of the promotional activity of the romantic caper.
All about love

Love Aaj Kal sounds almost like a comparative study between contemporary relationships with those of the past. Ali says, "We have grown up listening to love stories in the previous generation. But I always wondered how the same relationships would be in the present. This gave me the idea for Love Aaj Kal." The director who proclaims to be not very "film literate" says, "I see people around me and the kind of lives they lead. That's what inspires me to make movies."

Ali was, however, quite unperturbed by the success of Jab we Met while filming Love Aaj Kal. He says, "It was just another day, another piece of work for me. Honestly, pressure is only as much as you can take."

Character sketch

The director, who has earlier directed successful telly serials like Purushetraa for Zee TV and Imtihaan for Star Plus in mid 90s, was very clear that rather than Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone suited the character of Meera. Despite Saif Ali Khan being the producer of the film, Ali had no pressure to cast Kareena. He says, "The characters of Jai and Meera had certain traits that reflected in Saif and Deepika. So I thought they fit the bill perfectly."

Rest assured, Deepika and Saif will be seen in completely different characters in this film. Ali says, "I have seen all films of Deepika and just couple of Saif's movies. I didn't pay attention to how different they would be in my film. But yes, Deepika is playing a perceptive and intelligent contemporary girl. Of course, Saif is playing a Sardar which he has never played before. Both characters are simple with a sense of reality."

Apart from Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Rishi Kapoor, the movie also marks the debut of English actress Florence Brudenell in Bollywood. Brudenell plays one of Saif Ali Khan's love interests. Ali wanted to cast a new face in the significant role. He managed to rope in Brudenell after a casting agent thought she was a perfect candidate.

Major challenge

Love Aaj Kal has been filmed in real locations at London, San Francisco and Delhi. Ali's main challenge was to shoot real people on real locations. "When you are waiting at San Francisco station, we had to work around thousands of people over there. Not everything was under my control. But I had to mould my work around the given situation."

Future projects

If rumours are to be believed, then the curly-haired film-maker is planning to cast Akshay Kumar in his next venture, he refuses to divulge any details. Ask him why he always makes romantic films and pat comes the reply, "Ask my shrink. Honestly, I don't know!"

Rajeev's moment of truth

He's back with a bang! After winning accolades for his critically acclaimed role in Aamir, Rajeev Khandelwal is back on the small screen putting contestants and celebs alike in the hot seat in Sach Ka Saamna.
The Indian version of A Moment of Truth will see the Kahin Toh Hoga star grill celebs like Vinod Kambli and Bobby Darling, among others.

The actor proclaims he's proud to be a part of this show. But surprisingly, when he was asked to host Sach Ka Saamna, his first reaction was a stern "No". "Initially I refused as I wasn't shown the content and was too pre-occupied with my films. But Siddharth Basu convinced me to watch A Moment of Truth. After doing so, I told myself I couldn't let go of such an opportunity."

The actor, who will next be seen in Peter Gaya Kaam Se on the big screen, says it was quite difficult to control his emotions while on the show. He says, "I used to get carried away momentarily but then I had to constantly remind myself that I was a host. But I was in awe of all the contestants who had the courage to tell the truth."

We decided to give the host a taste of his own medicine. Here's what he spilled when he asked him some personal and embarrassing questions:

Have you ever called in sick to work when you really weren't?

Yes, I have done so. I love my work. But this was the time when I was part of a daily soap and had to shoot for 48 hours at a stretch. That's when I fell sick to get a few hours break from the gruelling schedule.

Did you ever throw a party at your parents' house or sneak off for a party without their knowledge?

Yes, recently I had gone to Jaipur at my parent's place. Usually when I go there, quite a lot of people come to meet me. And my parents always complain that I never give them enough time. This time, one of my cousins threw a party. And I literally jumped the stairs and the railing and sneaked past to enjoy the party.

Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their backs?

Yes, when I was in school and college. During college, there was a guy who was my friend but was quite a geeky character. We used to crack jokes at his expense. He knew very well that he was the butt of our jokes.

Do you secretly hate soaps?

I hate daily soaps as they lose objectivity.

Have you ever pretended to be happy for someone's success when you really weren't?

I don't think I have ever pretended. I am more concerned about my own life and don't do things to prove a point to anyone.

Have you ever snooped through your girlfriend's belongings?

Never. Few things are sacrosanct. I do not sneak into people's belongings especially when they are not comfortable.

Have you ever lied to get a job?

Never. I am an actor. I act, I can't lie.

Have you ever exaggerated to your friends the number of women you've been with?

Never. In fact, I have told them less a number as I don't think it's a great thing to flaunt.

Sach ka Saamna will air on Star Plus on 15th July at 10.30 pm.

An artist at heart

Artist Rekha Shivdasani's grit epitomises how it's never too late to pursue and realise your dreams. After being a travel agent for 30 years, she decided to take up painting at the age of 42 in 1995.

"I was always good at painting even in school. So, I thought why not pursue it", she says. Rekha started spending a lot of time with her canvas. She honed her skills by doing a lot of research and getting inspired by her surroundings.

"The more I experimented the more I learnt. The learning process was amazing," she says. Now at 55, she's all set to showcase her skills at her third exhibition in Mumbai. Named Tapah, this exhibition is quite close to her heart. "It's a culmination of the discipline and penance in my life."

Tapah will display about 30 pieces of small and medium sized paintings, which includes a few works of charcoal. "It's a happy blend of charcoal and figurative works. Sixty per cent of it comprises oils, while the remaining 40 per cent are abstracts."

Spreading knowledge

The self-taught artiste has exhibited in several cities around the world like Dubai, Muscat and Vancouver and her works adorn the homes and offices in New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Estonia, London, Singapore, India and New Zealand.

Rekha has also taught painting techniques to several students. "I believe that art should be imparted. My students have done shows in Dubai, Jeddah, Karachi and Mumbai."


Individualistic style

Rekha indulges in a lot of oils, abstracts and figurative semi-abstracts. Charcoals are her forte. Passionate strokes are the main highlights of her works. Her designs are influenced by her strong philosophical beliefs.

She chooses her base from all over the world but sticks to Indian colours as they are more vibrant.

She counts Indian artist Jaideep Mehrotra has her greatest role model. "I simply love his style. He experiments with a lot of new mediums and his works are always suggestive."

Art as a way of life

A self-proclaimed regimented experimentalist, Rekha feels that art can bring joy and peace to individuals seeking solace.

She firmly believes that "Art is all about the art, not about the artist."

(Rekha Shivdasani's exhibition Tapah will be on from August 3-9 at the Museum Art gallery, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai).

Is there a Mr Right?

Most of us have grown up with the notion of falling in love with our Mr Right, thanks to those Mills & Boons copies that we have grown up reading. So we make him up to be the perfect mix of brawn and brains or a tall, dark and handsome guy who can make us go weak in our knees.


But most of the time, surprisingly, we often lose our heart to someone who is a far cry from our image of Mr Right. Wonder why? Here’s the reason: According to anthropologist Dr Helen Fisher, a Rutgers University professor and author of the book, Why Him? Why her? Finding real love by understanding your personality type, there are specific reasons why we fall in love with certain people.

What’s your personality type?

Dr Fisher coined four broad personality types - explorer, builder, director and negotiator - on the basis of the interplay of various neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin, testosterone and estrogen in our brain.

Explorers have more dopamine and are usually creative, enthusiastic, optimistic, risk-takers and seek novelty. However, when they are in a relationship, in a bid to attract and impress the opposite sex, they tend to go too fast.

Builders are dominated by serotonin that makes them calm, social, cautious and traditional with excellent networking skills. They tend to stick to certain rules while dating and always want to flaunt their love interests to their friends.

True to their name, directors have more of testosterone and are direct, ambitious, and competitive and simply love music. They tend to make up their minds too fast and can often have razor sharp tongues. The negotiators are dominated by estrogen and are compassionate, verbal, imaginative and clairvoyant. Since they are so kind and compassionate, they are often misconstrued as doormats.

Opposites attract?

Opposites attract. This has been the famous notion that has underlined the love lives of many people. But is there any truth to it? Well, it’s partially true. While explorers and builders tend to be drawn to people like themselves, directors are attracted to negotiators and vice versa. The perfect mix of testosterone and estrogen helps individuals strike a balance in their relationships.

College student Shamika Dharamshi says, “I think the interplay of neurochemicals does play a vital part in our choices unconsciously. I am more of an explorer and I tend to get attracted to people like me. I would dread being in a relationship with a person who has a personality type like a director with high testosterone levels.”

Other factors at play

Apart from these chemicals, there are several other factors that determine whom we get attracted to and fall in love with. According to Dr YA Matcheswalla, psychiatrist and professor at Grant Medical College, JJ Hospital, factors like genetics, heredity, environment and Freudian concepts also influence our love choices.

“The chromosomes that we receive from our parents, the external factors that influence our personality and the Freudian concepts that we face in the first six years of our lives influence the choices that we make.” Apart from this, the way a person gets attracted to someone from the opposite sex on the basis of looks, thoughts, compatibility and body language.

Graphic designer Shivani Gupta says, “Whenever I’m dating someone, I look out for compatibility. If I share a good vibe with someone and if he makes me feel comfortable, then it’s quite natural that I’ll get attracted to him. Then, I look at his personality.”

The interplay of neurochemicals and various factors influence our love choices. So, the next time your heart skips a beat when you fall in love, you know what the reason is!

Musically yours, Anushka

Anushka Manchanda's spunk and zest for life has taken her on the road to success...

Her life has been a roller coaster ride. From being a Delhi teenager to member of the first Indian all-girl band 'Viva', a veejay and a playback singer, Anushka Manchanda has donned several hats.

Talent channel

Till a few years ago, she was amongst the many starry-eyed participants of Channel V's nationwide talent hunt contest. She was finally chosen as one of the five girls to form the band 'Viva' in 2002.

The all-girl band shot to fame quickly, but their meteoric rise was cut short due to in-fighting. After the band decided to split, Anushka got a break with her mentor channel as a VJ. "I was called in to audition and before I knew it, I was with the channel. I had a blast! I travelled! I partied! My work was like play," she says nostalgically.

Notes of a singer

After a short stint as a veejay, Anushka decided to pursue her singing career. She sang for South-Indian music composers like Harris Jayaraj (of Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein fame) and Sandeep Chowta.

Soon, Bollywood beckoned her. "I was at the Chennai airport on my way back to Mumbai, after a recording, when Vishal Dadlani called me. He said 'There's this song that Shekhar and I think your voice will work for'. He asked me to hum out a couple of lines after him and then told me to drop in at their studio." The song was the hip-hop title track of Golmaal in 2006, which soon went on to become a chartbuster. What followed were hits from Zindaggi Rocks, Chak De and Cash. "I had the most fun recording a rap section for one of the songs on Cash. There was also this scream I had to do for Bad Bad Girls for Chak De." Apart from lending her voice for forthcoming films like De Taali, Dulha Mil Gaya and Alladin, the artiste is now working on her solo album. She describes music as an integral part of her life.

"I've always loved music. I grew up listening to Deep Purple, Santana and a lot of rock, since that was the kind of music that was played at home. My mum bought me a piano, my dad got me a guitar and my closest friends in school all sang. So it was inevitable."

Standing tall

The 23-year-old, who likes to lead life on her own terms, finds the film industry quite intriguing.

"There's a certain way you're expected to behave in the industry. Apparently, you can't afford to piss people off. Fortunately, I've worked with some really chilled out musicians, so I've never been in a difficult situation."

Any area that she would like to improvise as a singer and Anushka quips, "A lot of people are under the impression that my Hindi isn't very good. Well, I'm from Delhi, so my Hindi is full power! Maybe I need to sing and enunciate my words more clearly!!"

The world on my plate

Meet Executive Chef Vijay Anand Bakshi of Ibis, Gurgaon, an economy brand of the Accor group of hotels, who is an avid globetrotter and loves to rustle up a variety of exotic meals. In a tete a tete with iDiva, Chef Bakshi reveals what inspires him to tease people's palates.
When did you start cooking?

I started cooking at the age of 12. One day I came early from school and was terribly hungry. No one was at home. I found some suji in the cupboard and milk. I dared to try some suji halwa. I just boiled some milk, added suji and sugar. I was so thrilled. But later on in the evening, when my mom looked at my gastronomic creation, I realised that halwa is eaten with a spoon and NOT DRUNK in a glass!

Where did you train? How difficult was the training?

I trained at the Taj Coromandel Hotel, Chennai. With long hours of work and too many kitchens and sections, it was quite difficult. Secondly, I couldn't speak the local language. It took me two months to speak the basic words and converse in Tamil.

When did you join Ibis and what does it specialise in?

Ibis is an economy brand of the Accor group of hotels. It specialises in a wide variety of food. The buffet food has an elaborate spread from south Indian food to north Indian, Oriental and continental, Lebanese, Chinese, Moroccan, French, Italian, Vietnamese, Thai etc. I joined Ibis in March 2008.

What has been your funniest kitchen experience?

This incident occurred 17 yrs ago. There was a very senior cook at Taj Residency, Vizag. He was an excellent dosa master but was very absent minded. One day, he wanted to deep fry some poories and found some sediments in the oil. So he decided to strain the oil. He managed to lift a strainer from the juice section. Not realising the outcome he strained the hot frying oil through this plastic strainer. To his surprise, he couldn't figure out where did the net of the strainer vanish? (When you strain hot oil through a plastic strainer, the net gets melted.)

Soon everyone came to know about what had happened and made fun of him. Even today, I narrate this incident to all my friends and have a hearty laugh.

What have been some memorable incidents from your global travel experiences?

Circumnavigating the globe thrice was absolute fun. Visiting different countries, tasting various cuisines, listening to a variety of music and speaking a wide range of languages was mind boggling! Once I was 72 Deg north of the equator in Norway where I didn't experience any sunset throughout my stay. I was also fortunate to cruise Trans Atlantic within six days, setting the clock behind an hour every night during the west bound cruise and the reverse (an hour advance) during the east bound.

Since you have travelled extensively, do you see any visible differences in the work culture here in India and abroad?

There are a lot of differences. Abroad, the infrastructure is very advanced. The hygiene and sanitation standards are high. The quality of ingredients is excellent. Public health Inspections are taken seriously.

In India also, we have started inspections and audits. Today, a Microbiology lab is a must in every quality hotel. The management has started training their staff intensely on hygiene and sanitation. But in India, we still face difficulty in finding vendors who are consistent. Every single day, there has to be a chef at the receiving deck to reject vegetables and fruits of inferior quality.

According to you, what is the future of Indian cuisine?

I would say "Back to future"! We will all go back to healthy home made foods, with less oil and butter. Indian food is getting more and more popularity. The day is not far when Indian food will rule the world.

Rapid fire:

1. Favourite spice: Green cardamom.

2. Haven for food: Mama's kitchen

3. Favourite gadget in the kitchen: A tasting spoon!

The whole truth

Swapping refined flour for whole grain for a more organic, wholesome lifestyle

In earlier times, your breakfast would comprise of few slices of white bread with liberal servings of butter or jam and a cup of tea. Today, those slices have been replaced with multi-grain bread or oats, while the tea has made way for juice.

Food fact

Any food grain, when left unpolished, is whole grain. Unlike corn flour of plain flour (maida), it's not refined. For instance, wheat germ is not removed from wheat. Whole grain is highly beneficial and has a great amount of nutrition value, as the fibre is intact. Whole grains include whole wheat, whole oats/oatmeal, whole-grain corn, popcorn, whole rye, whole-grain barley and millet.

Grain gain

According to nutritionist Naini Setalvad, whole grain protects you from diabetes, cancer and all types of heart diseases. It's rich in iron, folic acid, niacin, vitamin E, B and an assortment of phytochemicals (plant chemicals) that protect you from degenerating diseases like arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes.

For the uninitiated

The whole grain trend started around seven years ago when people became more conscious about their health and diet, says Setalvad. According to executive sous chef, Subhash Sinha of JW Marriot, Indians always used whole grain in the form of wheat or atta rather than refined flour (maida) in rotis. "It's only in the last seven years that people became more aware and started using these grains in sandwiches and pastas. Whole grain pastas, sandwiches, cookies and breads are a huge hit."

Testimonial

Cancer specialist Dr Sindhu Nair has been using whole grain food products since 2003. She started off by switching from normal bread to brown bread and later to multi grain bread. She also opted for wheat pasta, oats and bran. Today she uses refined flour only in cakes. "Whole grain is definitely healthier than flour-based products. They are easy to digest and rich in nature," says Dr Nair.

Buyers' check list

• While buying whole grain products, you should always check the list of ingredients and calorie count per serving. True whole-grain foods always list the main ingredient as whole wheat, whole oats, whole rye or some other whole grain cereal.

• People who are using whole grains for the first time should not take the plunge drastically. Don't switch from white bread to refined flour products to whole grain products immediately; do it gradually.

• If you have acidity or indigestion problem, you might feel uneasy after consuming bran or oats. So the best way is to mix small portions of bran or oats in wheat (atta) while making rotis. Once your body and digestive system is accustomed to the whole grain products, then you can increase the intake and also switch to oats for breakfast and whole wheat pasta.

Cooking-wise

Chef Sinha recommends using whole grain products with natural sweeteners to gain maximum benefits.

• While cooking whole wheat pasta, use the water in which you boil the pasta for sauce. "The water in which the pasta is blanched has maximum nutrients," says chef Sinha.

• Use olive oil rather than loads of butter while making whole wheat sandwiches.

• Opt for honey, a natural sweetener and low fat milk for wheat flakes. "If you use too much of sugar or fat with whole wheat products, then the entire purpose of healthy eating is defeated," says Sinha.
So get smart and opt for whole grain products and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Twin trouble

They look alike but they are poles apart. One is usually rich, while the other is poor or one is a docile timid person while the other is a reckless brat. Nevertheless, they manage to entertain us.

We are talking about twins who have always played a pivotal role in Hindi films. The latest to join the foray is Shahid Kapur playing dual roles in Vishal Bharadwaj's Kaminey. Cinegoers can't wait to watch Shahid play Guddu and Charlie.
This prompted us to walk down memory lane and give you a quick rate card of the various twins who have been portrayed in Hindi films.

Seeta aur Geeta

This is the quintessential twin drama that has inspired several remakes in different languages, even a TV serial. Hema Malini did complete justice to the title roles. The twins separated at birth swap places by mistake and what follows is a complete roller coaster ride. As the quiet docile Seeta and the aggressive Geeta, Hema Malini pulled all stops to portray these dual roles convincingly. She won a Filmfare award for best actress.

Our rating: 8/10

Angoor
This is one comedy of errors, guaranteed to make you laugh every time you watch it. Gulzar's Angoor is a cult comic film that makes us laugh with four characters - two twins who not only look alike, but also share the same name. As Ashok and Bahadur, Sanjeev Kumar and Deven Varma are simply first rate. And yes how can we forget Kumar's rendition of Pritam aan milo. If you haven't watched it yet, you haven't seen anything.
Our rating: 9/10


Chaalbaaz

The moment you mention the name of this film, an image of Sridevi dancing to the tune of Na Jaane Kahna se Aayi hain conjures up in your mind. Pankaj Parashar's remake of Seeta aur Geeta is an all time super hit. Sridevi's portrayal of Anju and Manju is top class. It reminds us once again why she was one of the best actresses of Bollywood.

Our rating: 7/10

Andaaz Apna Apna

This cult comedy can make you laugh at the end of a long, hard working day. Paresh Rawal as Teja and Ram Gopal Bajaj was hilarious. Especially, the mix-up at the end that is guaranteed to leave you rolling on the floor. Rawal managed to portray both the characters convincingly and left you wanting for more.

Our rating: 8/10

Judwaa
David Dhawan's Judwaa is a total paisa-vasool timepass masala film. It had the trademark slapstick comedy and sexual innuendos that Dhawan is known for. Salman Khan as Prem and Raja was thoroughly entertaining. However, the film lacked originality and was a no-brainer.
Our rating: 6/10
Dushman

Inspired by An eye for an eye, Tanuja Chandra's Dushman did complete justice to Kajol's acting skills. Kajol outshone everyone with her dual roles of Sonia and Naina. What we didn't like however was the film's melodramatic turn of events that diluted the movie's overall impact.

Our rating: 6/10

Dhoom 2
Bipasha Basu played ACP Shonali Bose and Brazilian babe Monali Bose in this action movie. But we must say, though the sultry siren was looking like a million bucks in the film, her acting was strictly ok. In fact, though she was bearable as the no-nonsense cop, she was quite irritating as the dimwit bikini gal.
Our rating: 4/10

Chandni Chowk to China
The less said about this film, the better. Though Deepika Padukone was looking like a million bucks in the film, her acting skills are nothing to brag about. She was quite stiff as Sakhi and let her action packed stunts do all the talking as Suzy. Our advice: Deepika, you seriously need to take some acting classes!
Our rating: 3/10

Indian idle

Here's a look at all those who won the Indian Idol show and others who actually stole their thunder..

They came, they sang and they conquered. Abhijeet Sawant was a household name, and Meiyang Chang the heartthrob of millions, thanks to Indian Idol. Cut to present. While the Indian Idol winners have become idle, other contestants are more famous and making a killing.

We take a look at those who won the show and others who actually stole their thunder.

1) Reel winner: Abhijeet Sawant

The typical middle class Maharashtrian boy next door shot into the limelight when he won Indian Idol season 1. His debut album Aapka Abhijeet topped several music charts. He was also seen with his wife Shilpa in Nach Baliye 4.
He'll be seen in a film called Lottery soon, where he's playing the role of an accountant. Our advice, Abhijeet, please focus more on your singing!

2) Real winner: Rahul Vaidya

He's known for his boyish charm and cute dimples. Rahul Vaidya lost to Abhijeet Sawant. But today he has lent his voice to more Hindi films than Abhijeet.
He won Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar by defeating, no prizes for guessing who - Abhijeet Sawant. He has also hosted the popular dance show on television, Aaja Maahi Ve.

3) Reel winner: Sandip Acharya

He came, he sang, he won and then just disappeared. A simple middle-class Bikaneri boy, Sandip Acharya won Indian Idol 2. But rather than cutting out best-selling albums and lending the voice for Bollywood films, Sandip just sank into oblivion.
Last heard, he was making an appearance in Jalwa Four 2 Ka 1 along with several other not so happening 'stars'. Tsk, tsk so much for being an Indian Idol winner.

4) Real winner: N C Karunya

He was the hot favourite who had every chances of winning the show. But he lost out to Sandip Acharya. After cutting out a self-titled album, he made his debut as a Bollywood singer with the foot-tapping Aane chaar aane bache hain in Lage Raho Munnabhai. He has also sung for several Tamil and Telugu films.
Not exactly a perfect life, but he's definitely doing better?much much better than Sandip Acharya.

5) Reel winner: Prashant Tamang

This police constable won our hearts with his melodious voice in Indian Idol season 3. His win actually sparked off riots in the North East after supporters of runner Amit Paul clashed with Tamang's supporters. After cutting out an album with Sony, we never heard about him.
Missing, missing, missing that's the best way to define the constable's success story.

6) Real winner: Meiyang Chang

This handsome dentist floored us with his pleasing personality in Indian Idol season But Meiyang Chang was the lucky one to be a part of a boy band and cut out an album with three other contestants.

He now entertains us as a host in season 4. We are glad to say he's the only person worth watching in Indian Idol's latest season.

Tisca reaches for the sky

Actor Tisca Chopra talks about her soon-to-be-released film Firaaq and all things close to her heart...

Can you tell a little bit about your childhood?

I grew up in Kabul, Afghanistan. I come from a family of educationists and writers, so the natural choice of profession for me would have been to teach or a write. In fact, my dad wanted me to become a war reporter. But life had its own plan. I came to Mumbai to study advertising and marketing at St Xavier's College. Since my classes were in the evening, I was free during the day. I started modeling to earn some quick pocket money.

How did you get a break in films?

I did ads for leading brands and that got me film offers. I kept turning them down because I could not see myself as an actor. Then one day I said, "What the hell?" and that's how films happened. Some where on the way I truly fell in love with acting!

How did it feel to be associated with Taare Zameen Par, a blockbuster that highlighted a socially relevant subject?

I heard such diverse reactions from every single person. I think the film worked differently for different people! Everyone was reminded of their childhood and how those few precious years must not be spoiled by the burden of adult expectations.

Having acted in television serials, films and plays, what has been your favourite medium?

Theatre requires vast reserves of physical energy; you perform a whole film at a stretch that would take many months to shoot. Television is providing so many actors a stable livelihood. If one really wants, one can gain a lot of experience in front of the camera. Cinema is more finely nuanced than television and one can do more detailed work. Also the possibility of exploring different subjects is better. I like all of them as I have had the opportunity to connect with the audiences on all three mediums.

What are your future projects?

I'm acting in Nandita Das's directorial debut, Firaaq. It's a beautiful script and has a fabulous ensemble cast. My own role is complex and quite different from TZP. I'm sure the film will leave a mark.

What's your dream project?

Firaaq has been the closest to my dream project. On a different note, I would love to play some of the roles Nargis Dutt did, like in Raat Aur Din or Sharmila Tagore's role in Amar Prem.

Is there any medium that you still want to explore?

I'd love to do a Broadway play or work on multi-ethnic film with a worldwide cast and crew.

According to you, what does it take to be a successful actor?

What it takes to be a successful professional anywhere - love of your work, focus, hard work and people skills.

Freudian slip:

*Favourite film - Gone With The Wind

Favourite play- Mahatma vs. Gandhi

Indulgence - Chocolate/holidays

Love to you means - Sanjay, my husband

Dream destination - Venice/ Barcelona

Five things you can't do without - Love, acting, a book, a good film and my husband

Favourite food - Gajar ka halwa

Style quotient - Old world or vintage

Turn ons - Wicked humour

Turn offs - Aggression/ violation of basic human rights

The curious case of reverse ageing

A sneak peek at some celebs' diets to know what makes them so beautiful

What do vintage red wine and Rekha, Hema Malini and Madonna have in common? They seem to get better with age of course! These 40+ actresses are still drop dead gorgeous and can even today give 20 somethings a run for their money. We take a sneak peek into their diet and beauty schedules and try to discover what makes them look beautiful with each passing day.

Hema Malini

She is: 60

She looks: 50

This dream girl who has been the cynosure of all eyes since her debut in Raj Kapoor's Sapnon Ka Saudagar is an ethereal beauty. Even today, at the age of 60, she doesn't look a day older than 50, thanks to her dance and yoga regime.

Secret: Hema Malini religiously drinks 12 glasses of water every day. A pure vegetarian, curd is her secret potion. The actor and Member of Parliament has yoghurt in liberal doses and seldom eats out. She feasts on a lot of green vegetables and fasts twice a week.

Fitness regime: Fitness is very important for the Baghban star. Her daily fitness regime includes cycling for 15 minutes, pranayam for 45 minutes and stretching for 15 minutes. She also practices Bharat Natyam everyday.

Make-up tip: The danseuse usually applies a blend of aromatic oils, especially prepared by her beautician before applying make-up. Her make-up comprises of a light lipstick and kaajal.

Rekha

She is: 54

She looks: 45

The diva, who is known as much for being a recluse as for her looks, has been an enigma for many years. At the age of 54, she still oozes oomph.

Secret: The Silsila star considers her body as a temple of her existence. She drinks eight glasses of water and has dinner before 8 pm.
Fitness regime: She practices yoga religiously, has a balanced diet and has five small meals everyday.

Make-up tip: Even today, she does her own make-up before gracing any occasion in her trademark kanjeevaram saris and gold jewellery. She introduced the concept of oily make-up in Bollywood which gives a luminous glow to her complexion.

Madonna

She is: 47

She looks: 40
The Material girl has not only kept us entertained with her foot-tapping music but constantly re-invented herself for over two decades. Madonna, who has always been in the limelight, believes in living life queen size with her innovative music albums, stormy affairs and fashion statements.

Secret: This fit n fab lady is an exponent of Ashtanga yoga, a high-octane, aerobic form of 'power yoga'. She practices it religiously for two hours, six days a week. She also uses essential oils like bergamot, lemon and juniper to relax and rejuvenate her senses. The pop star loves ginger tea and yerba, a South American 'wonder-herb' which reportedly burns fat and boosts energy.

Fitness regime: After two sessions of Ashtanga Yoga and Pilates, the star also indulges in a third session of workout that usually comprises of karate, running, cycling or swimming. Madonna is also an ardent follower of Macrobiotic diet. Her daily diet consists of fish, some kind of grains, cooked vegetables and salads. She confesses that 'decadence' to her is toast with strawberry jam.

Make-up tip: Though she has been constantly experimenting with her make-up and has gone from the Goth look to the Saturday night live retro look, she simply loves the natural look. A bold eyeliner, pink gloss and luminous skin complete this look.

Cuisine capers

Executive Chef Madhu Krishnan of West View, ITC Maratha, shares her inspiration for rustling up the perfect meal

When did you start cooking?

From as far back as I can remember, actually! I always assisted my mother and was keen to watch her artistry! Even 20 years ago, her refrigerator had interesting ingredients. But more than anything else what inspired me was the love that she folded into everything she cooked.

Her flaky fish pies, her whisked egg white peaks with warm molten egg yolks assembled on crisp warm buttered toast was a special that bordered around being rare.

What was it that inspired you to don the chef's cap?

The endless opportunities to seek the best of classic and new flavours from the international kitchen inspired me to don the chef's cap.

Did you have any formal training?

I went to the Institute of Hotel Management in Bangalore for three years. I was later selected by ITC Hotels as a Kitchen Executive Trainee to spend two years at the Welcomgroup Management Institute in Gurgaon and train in the company's flagship and leading hotels in the country.

You have been the executive chef of ITC Maratha Sahar. How has the experience been?

After spending my formative years as a chef at the ITC Maurya in Delhi, I moved to Mumbai to open the ITC Maratha. The challenge to create a landmark in hoteliering began from conceptualising the restaurants to planning, liaising with vendors for equipment, identifying key culinary craftsmen etc. Today, I'm at the helm of the Hotel's culinary department and at a platform, which provides me with infinite scope to create. I constantly try to ensure that every guest experience is a culinary moment of truth.

Can you tell us a little bit about West View?

The first West View was launched in Delhi in May of 1996 at ITC Hotels' flagship ITC Maurya in New Delhi. It was conceptualised as a chalkboard restaurant the first of its kind in the country. The day's offerings include a cold table of marinated meats, slow roast vegetables, followed by the Grill where you can select from an array of marinated seafood, fish, meats and vegetables and ensure they are stone grilled or char grilled.

Is it difficult being a woman chef?

I have always approached my career as a chef - and never as a woman.

What has been your greatest contribution to the culinary world?

Inducting young and dynamic chefs, mentoring them and contributing to their development has been my highest priority. What has been the most valuable tip that you have learnt as a chef? I have learnt to be humble, explore, innovate and break paradigms!

What's the criteria for being a good chef?

I believe culinary skills alone do not make a great chef - this happens through the subtle lessons in quality and excellence imbued over a lifetime. Any advice for budding chefs out there? Relentlessly invest in yourself and expand your repertoire. Break paradigms, experiment and explore, stay abreast. Seek perfection and excellence in every thing you do.

What's the most important thing to keep in mind while cooking?

Respect the ingredient! Cook to conserve and preserve the intrinsic goodness in each ingredient - don't over cook, don't over spice, don't over treat!

Any tips for individuals who cook at home?

Don't be afraid to create your own signatures. Make variations on something you cooked earlier if you wish to repeat the success, that way the discovery of new flavours will exhilarate you. Enjoy cooking!

Hollywood’s B-town’s biggies

Here's a look at all those actresses who made India proud in the global arena

Freida Pinto might be the flavour of the season, but before her, there were several actresses who won the hearts of millions across the globe with their stint in Hollywood. Here's taking a look at all those heroines who have made India proud in the global arena.

1) Persis Khambatta

With her unconventional looks and svelte figure, Persis Khambatta had everything going for her in Hollywood. After small roles in films like Conduct Unbecoming and The Wilby Conspiracy, she won recognition as Lieutenant Ilia, the navigator in Star Trek. Today, even after a little over a decade post her demise, she is best remembered for this role.

She followed this up with appearances in Nighthawks, Mike Hammer and Megaforce. She also appeared in television shows like Hunter, McGyver and the pilot episode of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. The former Miss India was also the first Indian face for cosmetic giant Revlon. Kudos!

2) Shabana Azmi

This woman of substance has acted in several foreign films, most of which have won international acclaim. She was seen in John Schlesinger's Madame Sousatzka, as the Bengali immigrant Sushila Sen and in Nicholas Klotz's Bengali Night. She also delivered memorable performances in Roland Joffe's City of Joy, Channel 4's Immaculate Conception, Blake Edwards' Son of the Pink Panther and Ismail Merchant's In Custody.

Her natural, effortless acting skills and versatility helped this actress-social activist bag these much- coveted roles. Keep up the good work!

3) Aishwarya Rai

Touted as the one of the most beautiful women in the world, the leggy lass has been the face of India at Cannes. The former Miss World can boast of four international projects, Bride & Prejudice where she played the fiery Lalita, Mistress of Spices, where she was the naïve Tilo. She played Mira, an Indian warrior in The Last Legion with the likes of Ben Kingsley and Colin Firth.

At present, she is in the news for her cameo appearance in The Pink Panther 2. Though her movies haven't exactly broken box-office records, they have won Aishwarya Rai the title of the most bankable Indian star abroad in the Forbes list. Well done!

4) Ayesha Dharker

This doe-eyed beauty has been basking in the glory, thanks to her heart-rending performances in each film. Ayesh Dharker made her screen debut in the 1989 French film, Manika: Une vie plus tard. She shot into the limelight with her gritty role in Santosh Sivan's Terrorist.

Ayesha followed it up with memorable performances in several American, French and Indian films. She is best remembered for her act as Queen Jamilla in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Apart from appearing in innumerable UK television shows including Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee and Doctor Who, she also appeared in the much memorable Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Bombay Dreams. Good going!

5) Mallika Sherawat

She might be known for her hot bod and outlandish comments, but obviously Hollywood directors don't think the same. Though Mallika Sherawat made a much forgettable cameo opposite Jackie Chan in The Myth, it won her a lead role in a Hollywood film.

The actress will soon be seen in Bill Bannerman, Clint Eastwood's new film, Unveiled. She plays the role of a Middle-Eastern woman who has two husbands and a lover! Quite interesting, we must say!

Reality with a twist?

If you thought you have had enough of those reality shows on the tube, then we are sorry to disappoint you… you'll have to brace yourself for a lot more this season. A barrage of shows will air soon on a TV near you and 'test your endurance'.
Here's the laundry list of the soon-to-be-launched shows:
Channel V's bloody different!

Gone are the days when you would see the bai telling you to 'mind it'. Now, it's time for Channel V to try something 'bloody different'. With this new-age catchphrase, the channel is all set to give some stiff competition to MTV with five reality shows. The first to go on air (on Aug 22) is Exhausted, a show where contestants will be expected to do crazy tasks without sleeping a wink for 48 hours to win a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.

This will be followed by Dare to Date - an anti-mush, anti-romance series - that pairs together two individuals, who are complete opposites of each other and sends them off on a romantic weekend. Titled Kidnap and hosted by new VJ Manish Anand, the third show will be a true test of love where a contestant will try to locate his /her kidnapped love.
khatronkekhiladi2.jpg

The Indian fear factor
This September, Akshay Kumar is back with 13 beauties and some death defying stunts in the "Level 2" of Khatron ke Khiladi. So we'll see hotties like Bruna Abdullah, Sushma Reddy, Carol Gracias, Jesse Randhawa, Mandira Bedi, Nauheed Cyrusi, Rosa Catalano, Rupali Ganguly, Sonika Kaliraman, Shonali Nagrani, Pia Trivedi, Shveta Salve and Anushka Manchanda, get an adrenaline rush in the exotic locales of Cape Town.
Speculations are rife that Akki is being paid Rs 2.5 crore per episode. This time, a musical trailer has also been released to garner some much-needed media attention. Composed by Salim Suleiman and sung by Neeraj Sridhar, the trailer announces the names of the contestants in a rap-like rendition. It's just a matter of time before we see if Khatron ke Khiladi can repeat its earlier success.
rakhielesh2.jpg


Rakhi Sawant's perfect life

After boring us to death with her over-the-top proclamation of her undying love for Elesh Parujanwala, Rakhi Sawant is back. Now the duo is all set to play mom and dad on Pati, Patni Aur Woh on NDTV Imagine. Four other celebrity couples - Shilpa Saklani-Apurva Agnihotri, Juhi Parmar-Sachin Shroff, Mouni Roy-Gaurav Chopra and onscreen couple Gurmeet Chaudhary-Debina Bonnerjee - will also participate in it.

The format is inspired by international reality show Baby Borrowers. The shooting has already started in an undisclosed location and the show is likely to air next month. Right from living the life of an eight-month pregnant woman to taking care of an infant, a toddler and a teenager, the show will see Rakhi Sawant doing it all.

The couples will spend an entire month in a closed environment, monitored by cameras 24X7. They will also have to entertain relatives and guests, perform ceremonies, take part in other activities like parties and picnics and ensure that the kids finish their homework - all within a limited budget. We are sure as always Rakhi will be able to pull in the viewers with her antics and her lack of everything else!

Book review: A Prisoner of Birth

Jeffrey Archer's latest offering makes for a riveting read but lacks the controversial author-turned politician's magical touch..

I have always been a great fan of Jeffrey Archer's novels. Not only are they riveting reads but they also give us an insight into the various facets of a common man's personality and the extent he can go to earn a large sum of money, save himself from the law or seek revenge.

Twists and turns

True to its name, A Prisoner of Birth has all these characteristics and much more. It revolves around garage mechanic Danny Cartwright, an East End cockney, who proposes to his childhood sweetheart Beth Wilson. After Beth accepts Danny's proposal, they go to a nearby pub to celebrate with Bernie, Beth's brother. Four Cambridge University graduates - Spencer Craig, Lawrence Davenport, Gerald Payne, and Toby Mortimer, who call themselves the Musketeers make a pass at Beth.

Infuriated, Danny picks up a fight with the quartet. Eventually, one of the four guys stabs Bernie to death. Danny is held accused by the court and sentenced to 22 years of imprisonment at Belmarsh prison, one of the highest security prisons in the world. This is where the actual story begins.

At the prison, Danny shares a cell with Nicholas Moncrieff, a sophisticated British man. He educates Danny but is eventually murdered in the prison. Danny pretends to be Nicholas who leaves him his huge fortune. How Danny escapes the prison and proves his innocence forms the main crux of the story.

Thumbs up

The narrative is fast-paced. Archer tells us Danny and Nicholas's story brilliantly. As you read the novel, you feel you are actually watching a Hollywood film. Archer uses simple, lucid language and evocative imagery which helps the reader visualise the entire plot.

Thumbs down

But the problem lies with the sub-plot of Nicholas's uncle which dampens the pace to a certain extent. Once this plot's loose ends are tied up, Archer again takes us back to Danny's revenge plot. The renowned author builds it up like a perfect crescendo. But just when you think, the story couldn't be more perfect, the pace slackens again.

The climax leaves you surprised. Though Danny, Nicholas, Beth and Spencer Craig's characters are well-sketched, the other characters are not fully developed; they leave much to be desired.

Parting shot

Over all, the book leaves you glued to your seat but is not as impressive as Archer's earlier works. A Prisoner of Birth makes for a good one time read.

Shop till you drop!

We got chatting with Chak De star Sagarika Ghatge, who is back with her new film Fox, about her favourite shopping destinations and what shopping really means to her.

Q. Is shopping a necessary evil?

A. I'm not a shopaholic. But like all girls even I like to shop for clothes, bags and shoes. But when you get out of control and end up splurging a lot, then it can become an evil. But nowadays I have started investing in jewellery. That really helps as I'm quite fond of it.

Q. Are you an impulsive shopper or do you think before you spend?

A. I'm an impulsive shopper. If I see something in a store that I like, then I might control myself initially but eventually I'll go back to it and finally buy it.

Q. Do you enjoy street shopping?

1. I love street shopping as you find a lot of interesting and different stuff.

Q. What are your favourite brands and who are your favourite designers?

A. I love Zara and Mango jeans, I practically live in them. Amongst designers, I simply love Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani, Manish Malhotra and Shantanu and Nikhil's creations.

Q. If you were asked to steal one accessory from a high-end store, what would that be?

A. I would definitely steal a bag as currently I'm in the buying-a-bag mode.

Q. Has the recession affected your shopping?

A. Not really. I believe one just has to be a little careful and conscious of how much you spend.

Q. What are the five must-haves in your handbag?

A. In my bag you would find a cellphone, lip balm, kajal, perfume and a hair brush.

Sagarika's picks:

* An accessory - A nice belt. When you wear a jeans and a shirt, it's imperative to team it up with a good belt.

* Shopping destinations - Australia, London and Singapore

* Casual outfit - I love pairing my jeans with a smart top. I also enjoy wearing a nice casual dress.

* Formal attire - An elegant dress and a formal top with jeans.

* Party wear - It completely depends on the occasion. If it's a formal party then I would wear a dress. But if it's a casual event, then I would wear a dressy top with jeans.

Rap-unzel on the block

"I'm my own favourite" says rapper and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa contestant Hard Kaur...

Would you blindfold yourself and do the hip hop bhangra on prime time television? Ms Hard 'I-care-a-damn' Kaur surely would! If you don't know who we are talking about, then you have missed the latest phenomenon to hit TV after Rakhi Sawant!

Considered one of the most wicked rappers in UK, Hard Kaur has put the zing back into Punjabi rap. But it's her dance moves and her Punjab-da-puttar spirit on reality dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa that's got us go all gaga over her!

What most don't know is that madame Kaur's birth certificate lists her name as Taran Kaur. Why she went hard core? well, I don't know. But what I do is that she is the first female Indian rapper and is touted as one of the hot favourites on the show. Judges Saroj Khan, Juhi Chawla and Vaibhavi Merchant can't stop raving about Hard's dance moves.

I decided to chat up the hip hop star. After the usual courtesies, I popped her, the first question, how is she finding Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa? "I'm definitely enjoying it. I'm trying out different stuff. This is my first reality dance show, so I'm having a blast." During the conversation, Hard switched comfortably between a UK accent English and typical Punjabi Hindi.

This is the first time the songstress has put on her dancing shoes professionally. She quips, "My mom insisted that I learn some kind of dance form as a child. So, first she enrolled me for Kathak classes, I learnt for six months, then my interest waned. Later, I joined ballet for three months, followed by gymnastics, but I left both."

The rap star does not consider any of her co-contestants as her competitor. "I'm my own favourite," she retorts. "I don't bother too much about dancing and as far as popularity is concerned or what's going in the minds of the judges or the channel heads, I don't have any idea," confesses the effervescent singer in her usually bubbly tone.

Right now, Hard Kaur is excited about her Friday performance in Jhalak where she will blindfold herself and do the Hip hop-bhangra on Bach ke rehna re baba. "We will be dancing with obstacles. The performance promises to be fast-paced and peppy."

While the hip-hopper loves hip hop-bhangra, she hates contemporary dance. "It's like bhel puri. It's something which even my mom can perform. In fact, I hate easy dancing, anything which is a watered down version of an original dance form."

When I ask her about Mohinder Amarnath's, (her father figure) ouster from the show, Hard Kaur says, "I was upset. Mohinderji is a kind-hearted guy. You know, when I hurt my leg, he and Baichung were concerned and enquired about me. The production guys didn't even bother. But I'm going out for lunch with him on Sunday. Even after the show wraps up, I will meet up with him."

The 29-year-old has also lost oodles of weight, thanks to the rigorous dance moves. She laughs it off and says," You mean to say I was fat earlier? No, seriously, I hate going to the gym. But more than weight, I have lost quite a few inches."

The singer who loves listening to rapper Busta Rhymes and has given us hits like Ek Glassy, Lucky Boy, Move your body, describes her music as "happy, shaadiwala music." She will be soon coming up with an album later this year, which promises to be an eclectic mix of hip hop and Bollywood flavour. "I have worked with people I wanted to work with like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Richa Sharma." The album is being produced by D-boy, Eminem's record label.

She has also lent her voice for Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif starrer Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani, Chatur Singh Two Star, Toonpur ka Superhero and Shahid Kapur-Rani Mukerji starrer Hadippa.

All we can say is that we can't wait to see more dhamakedaar song and dance performances by Hard Kaur!

'I wore Arjun Rampal's shirt'

She stole the hearts of our boyfriends and husbands as Preeti Sabharwal in Chak De India! And just when you thought she was the next new thing on the block, she vanished without a trace. Now after a two-year hiatus, Sagarika Ghatge is back with her second film Fox.

Quiz her about her obvious absence from the film world and she says, "It was not an intentional break, but I decided not to do certain films. I'm a very chilled out person, I'm not at all secure. I decided to wait for the right film."

Co-star tales

Sagarika will soon be seen opposite Arjun Rampal in Fox that also stars Sunny Deol and Udita Goswami. She describes the film as a thriller where she portrays the role of a lawyer. "I play an independent, strong-willed woman who plays Arjun's love interest. I stand by him through thick and thin."

Not surprisingly, Sagarika is all praises for Arjun. In fact, she also wore his shirt during the shoot. "I shared a fantastic equation with Arjun. There was a scene for a romantic song where I was required to wear a night suit. But we couldn't find anything on the sets that could make it look romantic so Arjun gave me his shirt - it was long enough!" "Initially I was hesitant but everyone insisted that it would make the scene look quite natural. So I agreed after a lot of persuasion," she added.

Television beckons

One might think that like her Chak De co-stars Shilpa Shukla and Chitrashi Rawat, Sagarika might soon make an appearance on television. But she says, "I did get several offers. But right now I want to focus on films." Meanwhile she has been seen in endorsements like Reebok and Millionaire.

Future plans

Sagarika will next be seen opposite Emraan Hashmi in Raftaar 24x7. "It revolves around how news channels sensationalise stuff to get more TRPs" she says. The leggy lass also nurtures a desire to work with Gen Next directors like Imtiaz Ali, Vishal Bharadwaj and Anurag Kashyap. "I like the way they experiment and give a certain treatment to their films. I would love to work with them."

Here's hoping her wish comes true.

Chasing Ranbir Kapoor

By Rinky Kumar, Team iDiva

It was just another day for me or so I thought. I rushed out of my home to the Hyatt Regency (Mumbai) for a press conference. What got me excited was that Ranbir Kapoor was supposed to grace the event ;) I was strictly instructed to get an exclusive interview with the chocolate boy or not report to work at all!

Bollywood standard time

The event started after an exhausting 45 minutes. Ranbir was to launch a product and the marketing head took the opportunity to assault the media with power point presentations!! That's probably the first time in the day, I thought, "Why me?" But after 30 minutes of profit figures, the chocolate boy finally made an appearance. I must confess I'm not that big a fan. I skipped his debut film, but did enjoy watching his second, Bachna Ae Haseeno - which was a complete time-pass flick!

Cho chweet

So there he was resplendent in a black velvet jacket, crisp white cotton shirt and snug fitting blue jeans. The paparazzi went berserk, clicking pictures of course! "Ranbir this side, Ranbir smile, Ranbir hold..." screamed the photographers. The dude obliged everyone!

But the real fun was yet to begin. After the Q & A session, the paparazzi went completely overboard and attacked the 6 foot star. Flabbergasted, he walked out of the hall, to the nearest door at the same venue. Television and print journalists followed suit. He was one-helluva-irate Pied Piper, being tailed by mice like me.

After an elaborate chase, the actor gave up and parked himself on a chair. The breathless mice… sorry scribes… rushed forth, only to be disappointed to see that a fellow journo was already in the throes of an interview. Everyone pushed, jostled and elbowed each other to get a quick byte. Amidst all the chaos, Ranbir continued to answer the volley of questions in a calm and composed manner.

Mouse attack

After a couple of interviews, Ranbir realised that the mice had crawled all over and they were too close for comfort! When one of the hairy journos edged closer and was a kiss away from Ranbir, the harassed star sounded the alarm. His entourage started pushing the journos back. But that was an impossible task.

The actor stormed out once again! My brethren mice and I followed like vultures (sorry about the simile!!) and we went in for the kill. But, the television reporters of course outdid us with their inane questions. I watched and smirked on the sidelines.

Caught in the net

After a few questions, Ranbir was escorted by his entourage to a hotel room, far away from our prying eyes. Or so you would think? In fact, this move only strengthened everyone's resolve to interview him. I hung around the lobby hoping that I would be able to ask him a few questions.

After sweet talking the public relations (PR) chick, I hurried to the second floor where the actor was holed up. But I didn't know where, exactly, he was. By this time I had spent two hours chasing Ranbir. Finally, I spotted the PR chick who headed towards the room where he was almost being held hostage and I followed. An unidentified guy was keeping vigil outside the room, preventing journos from barging in.

Vulture attack!

So there I was stuck with other journos, pleading with this guy to let us in. Vultures that we were in the guise of mice, we pounced on the waiter who was delivering some food for Ranbir. He said sternly, "Ranbir ke liye khana hain. Penne Arabiatta, fish & chips and cold coffee!" The poor guy needed food too!

After another hour, we were let in. As I stepped into the room, I saw Ranbir - cool and collected, answering the most mindless questions with a smile. Chasing him for three hours had seemed like a Herculean task to me. But when I saw him standing tall, I wondered to myself, "How can someone be so patient?" And yes the food was still lying untouched on a table.

After the television scribes left the room, Ranbir got chatting with me and puffed on his cigarette like a chimney. Since I was among the last to interview him, he actually got comfortable and seemed to enjoy answering the questions I posed.

Finally after three hours, I had some "meaty quotes". I thought to myself, "That should cheer my editor up!" As for me, I was just excited that I managed to chase a celeb for the first time and complete the mission successfully!

Just for kicks and thrills

By Rinky Kumar, Team iDiva


Free falling from a helicopter into the deep sea, lending her voice to foot-tapping numbers and jamming with a gang of boys, Anushka Manchanda can do all this and more. The singer, who is in Khatron ke Khiladi (KKK) level 2, has her hands full with her new band Shkabang and a string of offers from some top-notch film banners for lead playback.

We cornered the leggy lass for an interview in the midst of her hectic schedule.

Get, set, go

The ex-Viva member was pretty excited about KKK level 2. The adrenaline rush and the thrill got her hooked. She says, "When I was approached, my initial reaction was 'WHAAT??' I was just too excited about the show."

Though she watched a couple of episodes of the first season, what prompted her to participate in season two was to explore a new facet of her personality. "I've always thought of myself as a very strong woman, and I figured this would be a good way to find out just how far I could push myself."

Ask Anushka about the dare-devil stunts that she has performed on the show and she says, "There are two stunts involving helicopters which were super fun! I felt like the theme song of Mission Impossible was going to start playing in the background."

The singer counts model Jesse Randhawa and actor Nauheed Cyrusi as her toughest competitors on the show. However free falling from a chopper into the sea was the most memorable moment for her. It was very challenging considering that Anushka doesn't consider herself as a good swimmer.

Music beckons

Anushka has also been in the news for her new band Shkabang. It comprises musicians from other bands like like Abhijit Nalani (keys, Hipnotribe), Shiraz Bhattacharya (drums, Pentagram), Pozy Dhar (guitars, Tough on Tobacco) and Johan Pais (bass, Tough on Tobacco), who have been in the music industry for a long time.

Anushka along with the others decided to come together as a band after they played a gig "just for kicks" in the beginning of the year. "We enjoyed ourselves so much that we decided to start playing for real," she says.

Ask her about the unusual name and she replies with a wink, "It stands for the action the boys will get after they get off the stage!" Though they want to experiment with different sounds, Shkabang's basic vibe is pop-rock electro. "We're not doing this to prove anything to anyone. We just want to make fun music and have a good time playing it."

The band is currently working on an album that will release by the end of this year. Anushka says, "We played our first gig at Blue Frog (Mumbai) a couple of weeks ago, and we've shot our video for a song called I Like Crazy which should be out soon."

Anushka will also be lending her voice to movies like Alladin, Dulha Mil Gaya, Raat Gayi Baat Gayi, Kites, etc. Also, she's sung the title track for upcoming comic flick Do Knot Disturb. After working with the who's who of the music industry, she now nurtures a desire to work with AR Rehman.

Beat the heat

We give you some tips to shield yourself from the scorching sun and cool off this summer

Summer is here! It's the perfect season to gorge on mangoes, take that much-needed break and simply take off with your friends and family. But it's also the time when you feel icky and sweaty and are prone to sickness, thanks to the rising temperature. We give you some tips to shield yourself from the scorching sun and cool off this summer.

1) Sip and bite:

What to do:

According to nutritionist Naini Setalvad, drink lots of water and aam panna to beat the heat. Water melons, yoghurt, cumin seeds (jeera), cucumber and raw mangoes and white gourd (dudhi) help to cool off your body.

Avoid:

Avoid fried stuff like chips, wafers, junk food, white flour, sugar, spicy gravies, eggs, red meat, bajri and makai as they increase the body temperature. Setalvad recommends jowar, wheat and rice as they are safer options.

2) Health and about:

Summer is the time when you are most prone to viral infections. Radiation oncologist and general physician Dr Sindhu Nair says, "The viruses that can commonly cause infections in the summer include stomach bug and respiratory bugs. Mosquito-borne infections like malaria and dengue are also common."

What to do:

According to Dr Nair, since most of the infections spread by feaco-oral route, it's best to follow your mama's simple rules like washing your hands before eating food, avoiding sharing food or drinks with infected individuals. If you stay in an area where malaria and dengue are common, use an insect repellent and wear light-coloured clothing.

3) Skin matters

Thanks to the scorching sun, your once flawless complexion is now oily and itchy. But you don't have to feel like an oil pot. Here are some common skin ailments and solutions to combat these infections.

a) Skin tan and burn

According to cosmetic dermatologist and laser surgeon Dr Apratim Goel, the ultra-violet radiation burns through the outer layer of skin leading to red patches and itching. "Fair skinned people get more sun burn whereas those with a darker complexion get more tanned."

Solution:

Apply a sunscreen of minimum 25 SPF or a calamine lotion during the day. Be safe yet trendy - use umbrella, hats and broad-rimmed sun glasses.

b) Prickly heat

Dr Goel says, "Excessive sweating and increased dead cell turnover blocks the sweat glands and causes 'prickly heat'. This is most common in the folds of the skin where the sweat accumulates."

Solution: Have cool showers, wear loose clothes, use a talcum powder after a bath and apply calamine lotion on the rashes.

c) Fungal infections

"This is common in hot and humid weather. The fungus thrives in the humid weather and areas where there is less aeration like folds of the skin especially for people who wear tight clothing and shoes the whole day," says Dr Goel.

Solution:
Have a shower more often, use an anti-fungal dusting powder after a bath and apply an anti-fungal cream.

Apart from these, you can also dig into your kitchen cabinet for those handy home remedies to hydrate and cool your skin.

• Mix one part skimmed milk with four parts of water, toss in some ice cubes and soak a cloth in the mixture. Place the cloth on your sunburned skin for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat after every two to four hours, suggests Dr Goel. Your skin will look visibly clearer.

• Take the juice of half an orange and one tablespoon of soft granulated sugar. Add the orange juice to the sugar. Splash water on your face. Use your palms to gently scrub the mixture on the skin. Rinse off, pat dry and moisturise your skin. You will be left with baby soft, clear skin.

In the valley of Oz

By Rinky Kumar, Team iDiva

Actor Sagarika Ghatge, who was recently seen in the film Fox opposite Arjun Rampal, tells iDiva about her favourite travel destination.

Q. What is your favourite holiday destination?

A. Australia is my favourite destination. I love the place as it's completely chilled out.

Q. When was the last time you went there? Was it for business or pleasure?

A. I had gone there twice during the shooting of Chak De India. The last time, I went there was in 2008.

Q. Can you tell us some experiences about the locals, the cuisine and the local culture?

A. Over there, the locals shut shop at 6 pm. They believe in working hard and partying harder. You can relish authentic Chinese, Italian and continental cuisine. You get the most awesome fish and chips at the eateries near Sydney Harbour. Gorging on fish and chips against the scenic beauty of Sydney Harbour is simply breathtaking.

Q. Did you get back any memento from there?

A.I got these beautiful Venetian masks from there.

Q. What are the things and places that you would recommend our users to see in Australia?

A. When in Australia, you should definitely go to Sydney and visit the 12 Apostles and relish fish and chips at Sydney Harbour.

Q. What's your dream destination?

A. I really want to go to Maldives. I want to soak up the sun and just lounge on the beach.

Ranbir's jealous of Amitabh

By Rinky Kumar, Team iDiva


With his chocolate-boy looks, husky voice and effortless acting, Ranbir Kapoor has all the girls swooning over him. The actor, who is only two films old, gets chatting with iDiva about his new movies, brand endorsements and what it means to represent Gen Next.

Wake up Ranbir!

My new film Wake up Sid is a coming-of-age-beautiful film about a 21-year-old college boy. I play Sid, who is an extremely lazy guy. But I must tell you, in reality, I'm not at all lazy. I can't afford to be lazy in a competitive world like this.

Challenging role

Acting in Wake Up Sid was quite challenging for me as I was shooting for Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani simultaneously. So, while one was a coming-of-age movie, the other was a quintessential romantic comedy. Juggling between the characters of Sid and Prem (my character in Ajab Prem... was quite challenging. But I loved the whole experience.

Co-star trivia

Working with Konkona Sensharma in Wake up Sid has been a fabulous experience. She is a god-gifted, talented, versatile actor. In fact, when Ayan Mukerji ( the director of Wake Up Sid) narrated the script, the first person that I thought of in the heroine's role was Konkona. She plays the role of Ayesha, a Kolkata girl who comes down to Mumbai to realise her dreams.

Many people have termed our pair as unusual, but I don't think there's any concept like an unusual pair. We have been cast opposite each other as both of us fit our characters perfectly.

(Psst) An unusual thing about Konkona that no one knows is that she can actually finish reading a book within an hour. How cool is that!

Inspiration Inc

I'm actually living my dream of acting in movies. I'm threatened by everyone, right from Mr Amitabh Bachchan to Darsheel Safary. I feel jealous when I see a good performance. That what drives me to work harder.

Forthcoming films

This year, three of my films, Wake Up Sid, Rocket Singh Salesman of the year and Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani are slated for release.

I'm currently shooting for Rajniti. I have also signed up a Sajid Nadiadwala film opposite Priyanka Chopra titled Anjaana Anjaani. I am always extremely nervous before the release of my film. I have a lot of responsibility as I'm only two films old and people have many expectations from me.

Brand Ranbir

I'm currently endorsing Pepsi and Panasonic. Many people have asked me, if I'm replacing Shah Rukh Khan as the Pepsi brand ambassador. But there's no truth to this. SRK is a fairly senior actor and an icon. I'm not replacing him. As far as brand endorsements are concerned, they are very important for an actor. Not only is it a way for me to expand my body of work but it's also like an added bonus.

Gen next actors

There's a lot of positive energy amongst the new generation of actors like Neil Nitin Mukesh, Imran Khan, Prateik Babbar, Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. I hope all of them do good movies. There were speculations that there's rivalry between Neil and me. But there's no truth to it. We have grown up together. Though he's a couple of months older than me, he's a dear friend.

As far as reports about Imran and me planning to set up a production company are concerned, all I can say is that right now, we are focussing on finding our own grounding in the film industry.

Future plans

I really want to work with my father, Rishi Kapoor. I'm a big fan of him. And in the long run, I aspire to be a director and revive the RK banner.

A gourmet’s delight

Head chef of Sitaaray and head chef and manager of Chor Bizarre restaurant, London, Manpreet Ahuja shares his culinary secrets..

When did you start cooking?

I started cooking towards the last couple of years of my schooling. My mother had a transferable job and she was posted in our hometown after a very long time. But since it wasn't advisable for me to shift school at a senior level, I stayed back and learnt to prepare my own meals.

Where did you do your training?

I graduated from the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Mumbai in 1995. During this tenure, I underwent my industrial training at the Oberoi Hotels and Towers, Mumbai. I joined Old World Hospitality Private Limited, New Delhi's leading restaurant group, straight after college and underwent further training not only in the kitchen but also in all other departments.

Was your family supportive about your decision?

When I got selected in IHM Mumbai, I was thrilled. My mother was happy and supportive but my father and my grandfather were not sure as to why would I want to choose a career where I would become a 'cook' or a 'waiter'? Later, I entered the industry as a Chef which raised many eyebrows. It was only as the years passed by that I was able to demonstrate that one could make it big as a 'cook' or a 'waiter' too! The image of the professionals within the hospitality industry is very different now as it was earlier. I am glad I took up this career.

Tell us a little about your funniest kitchen experience.

In one of the cooking competitions, we were given a surprise basket of ingredients and we were to make a three-course meal out of it. One chef was attempting to make a cake and took a rather long time trying to make royal icing. On careful inspection, I saw that he was attempting in vain because what he needed was icing sugar and he had corn flour in his bowl.

What would you say is the criteria for being a good chef?

It's not one but a combination of the following that, in my opinion, every good chef must have. " A clear and refined palate. " Sharp senses " An eye for appreciating anything good, fingers that can feel and touch the food. " Ability to visualise the end product without having to cook it and the ability to conceptualise. " Most importantly, a good chef will always cook from the heart.

Do you see any visible differences in the work culture in India and abroad?

Most people abroad consider their work as a means to earn money, so a job is not a religion for them. They are also able to strike a work life balance which a lot of people in India are unable to. Also over there, people work have a greater commitment towards their jobs.

Any advice for budding chefs out there?

Never consider any job to be below your dignity and be considerate towards others who are working with you. Don't worry if your bakery skills are not as good as your ice sculpting skills. Concentrate on your core strengths and remember Sachin Tendulkar will always be known as a specialist batsman, although we know that he can also bowl extremely well, if required.

Any tips for individuals who cook at home?

Cook with your heart. It's difficult to get fancy ingredients for garnishing or presentation when we cook at home, but it's the cake that we want to eat and not necessarily the garnish. Please don't get swayed by fancy TV presentations, howsoever easy it may look to prepare - it takes a million onions and multiple cuts on the fingers before a professional chef can flaunt his skills of chopping onions superfine at the lightning speed.

Rapid fire:

Favourite spice: Coriander

Haven for food: An empty stomach

Favourite gadget in the kitchen: A stick blender