Here’s looking at you kid!

By Rinky Kumar, Team iDiva

They are cute, adorable and they strike a chord with you almost effortlessly. Kids are the new superstars on the small screen.

Saas-bahu clashes, dance reality shows, talent hunts and comedy circuses may still be boring us on prime time TV, but they are no longer the only ones that enjoy high TRPs. The scheming saas-bahus are being given a run for their money by wide-eyed kids.
After the success of Balika Vadhu and Uttaran, everyone is now jumping onto the kiddie bandwagon. The logic is simple: If the protagonist is a kid, the audience can’t help but gush over how cute he/she looks and feel sad when the hapless kid is oppressed or cheer when they face a challenge and come out a winner.

Here’s looking at four kiddie serials that are cashing in on the cute quotient:

Aap ki Antara

The promos of this show reminded us of Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par. So we waited for the serial to begin. And we were not surprised. Like TZP’s Darsheel Safary who was a dyslexic, Aap Ki Antara too has a protagonist who is an autistic child. She is unable to cope with her family members and has no friends. How the lonely child warms everyone’s hearts forms the crux of the story.

Five-year-old Zaina Vastani as Antara is adorable. The show stars quite a few new faces. The show has had its share of controversies even before it went on air. Apple Reetoria, who was initially roped in to play the title role of Antara, quit the show after her mother accused the channel of hostile work conditions.

Chote Miyan Bade Miyan

Earlier we had stand-up comedians trying to tickle us hard with their sad jokes and over-the-top gimmicks. Now they have been replaced by kids – read: Chote Miyan Bade Miyan. Senior comedians mentor kids in this reality show. Though some of the jokes and acts are quiet impressive, the same cannot be said about the gigs pulled off by the prolific comedians. We have had enough of their slapstick comedy.

And yes, how can we forget Rahul Mahajan’s irritating laughter. Hope we see a new judge in the show’s next season. And yes, the kids are the only saving grace!

Balika Vadhu

This is the story of Anandi – all of eight - who is married to a guy of her age before attaining puberty. The matriarch of the family is an iron-fisted regressive lady who wants things her way. Avika Gor as Anandi seen in cute ghagra cholis is simply adorable.

Though the serial tackles primarily the issue of child marriage, it also aims to highlight subjects like education for the girl child, and widowhood at a tender age or so the producers would like us to believe. We think they are only TRP-grabbing gimmicks. But Anandi’s innocent ways have most of us glued!

Uttaran

This soap revolves around the life of seven-year-old Ichcha, the daughter of a domestic help, who works in an affluent family. She gets friendly with eight-year-old Tapasya, the only daughter of that rich family. The two become bosom buddies. The contrasting worlds of these two girls and Ichcha's constant struggle to enjoy the small things in life keeps us praying for this unfortunate kid…

All in all, these kids tug at our heart strings and we can’t help but go “awwww…!”

Best foot forward

By Rinky Kumar, Team iDiva


What: Biguine bio pedicure

How much: Rs 1,000

Where: Jean-Claude Biguine, Bandra, Mumbai

I must confess in my bid to look prim and proper, I splurge on cosmetics but often ignore my feet. Apart from a pedicure, which I manage to have once in three months, my dainty toes usually have to bear the brunt of heat, dust and pollution.

So one day when my editor told me that I could opt for a pedicure as part of a spa review, I jumped with joy. I could finally unwind, relax and have beautiful feet at the end of a long, hard day.

Once I reached Jean-Claude Biguine Salon, I opted for the Biguine bio pedicure. I was soon ushered into the plush interiors by Sandeep, my pedicurist for the day.

He started off by cutting and filing my nails. As Sandeep deftly started working on my feet, he explained how this procedure helps to give shape to rugged nails.

Later, he mixed a Mandarin shower gel in hot water. As I dipped my feet into the water, he described how the gel is a perfect potion to soften and re-energise tired skin. After soaking my feet for 15 minutes, Sandeep wiped it dry. He followed it up by softening my cuticles with an elixir oil. At the Biguine salon, the same oil is used in a body massage as its healing quality eliminates stress and pampers your senses.

Just when I thought my feet couldn't feel better, Sandeep asked me to sit back and relax and started scrubbing my feet. He used a foot scrubber to remove the stubborn dead skin and soften the heels. I must confess my feet soon felt as soft as a baby's bottom.

But wait, the ecstasy was not over yet. Sandeep soon rubbed an apricot kernel exfoliant body scrub that helped removed dead skin and gave a certain glow and softness to my lacklustre skin. As Sandeep kneaded and massaged my tired feet, I felt myself relaxing and enjoying the ethereal experience.

Later he applied a fragrant provincial garden mask that cleansed my skin further and improved blood circulation.

He concluded the process by massaging Ylang Ylang cream on my legs. As the cream seeped into my feet, I could feel its healing properties almost instantaneously.

But the best was yet to come. Now that my feet and toes were squeaky clean, it was time to enhance my nails with some nail polish. Sandeep first applied a nail hardener as it prevents chipping and then applied two coats of a light nail polish. Suddenly my feet started looking beautiful and went from drab to sexy!

I fell in love with my dainty toes and simply couldn't take my eyes off my feet. I just can't wait to enjoy the experience all over again.

The whole experience was peppered with Sandeep's tips and tricks. Here are some that you can use.

1) You might think that the best solution to get rid of dead skin is to shave them with a blade. But that's a misconception. Excessive use of blade only causes more dead skin. So the easiest way is to simply scrub it off with a foot scrubber.

2) Always apply one coat of nail hardener before using a nail polish. It acts a protective shield against the harmful chemical properties of a polish.

3) Remove your nail polish after every two weeks. If you allow it to stay longer, your nails might soon turn yellow.

4) Opt for a pedicure at least once a month. That helps to keep your tips and toes neat and tidy and those cuticles at bay.

Best movie dads

A still from Father of the Bride


He loves us, pampers us, lifts our spirits and always wipes our tears away. Fathers share the most important moments of their lives with us but never really get their due. Nevertheless, they have often been immortalised onscreen. This Father’s Day, we walk down memory lane and take a look at all those big screen daddies who have taught us a lesson or two.

Kunwaara Baap
Year of release: 1974

Super dad: Mehmood

Why: Earlier, he tickled our funny bone with his antics and excellent comic timing. But in this film, he showed his true acting prowess. Mehmood portrayed the role of a rickshaw driver who adopts a son and takes care of him selflessly. The boy soon gets afflicted with polio. Eventually the child meets his real parents and goes on to live with them. Later, the boy comes to meet Mehmood when he is on his deathbed. This sensitive portrayal of the father-son relationship is what sets the film apart. Though the veteran actor won a Filmfare nomination for the best comic role, he deserved to be nominated for the best actor category!

Kaash

Year of release: 1987

Super dad: Jackie Shroff

Why: Long before Jackie Shroff became Jaggu Dada, replete with his trademark gamcha and tapori language, he was a serious actor. Kaash directed by Mahesh Bhatt was one such film that did ample justice to Jackie’s acting skills. This domestic drama revolves around Shroff and Dimple Kapadia, a married couple who drift apart. Shroff plays the role of Ritesh, an actor who was once successful but is now struggling. The duo is heartbroken after they realise their only son Romi is suffering from brain tumour. How Jackie Shroff turns from an alcoholic to a loving, caring father forms the crux of the story.

Daddy

Year of release: 1989

Super dad: Anupam Kher

Why: Anupam Kher has always been able to showcase his acting prowess effortlessly. In this film, he stole the show with his excellent portrayal of an alcoholic father who deserts his daughter when she’s a child. Later, the girl rediscovers her father and rescues him from alcoholism. Anupam Kher’s transition from a normal human being to an alcoholic is heart-rending. His performance won him a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance and a National Special Jury Award.

Father of the bride

Year of release: 1991

Super dad: Steve Martin

Why: We simply loved Steve Martin in this film. Martin plays the role of George Banks, a middle-class owner of a shoe company, whose daughter falls in love with a guy and decides to marry him. George loves his daughter dearly and can’t imagine his life without her. His efforts to organise the perfect wedding for his daughter drive him crazy. Finally he accepts the fact that his daughter is an adult who deserves to lead life on her own terms. His comic timing was impeccable. We simply loved the bitter-sweet father-daughter relationship!

A still from Chachi 420

Mrs Doubtfire
Year of release: 1993
Super dad: Robin Williams

Why: Robin Williams gave us one more reason to fall in love with him all over again. He played the role of Daniel Hillard who disguises himself as a 60-year-old widow just to be with his children as their nanny at his ex-wife’s house. In his bid to care for his kids, Robin has to juggle pots and pans and win his ex-wife’s heart all over again. Why we love it? Coz comedy doesn’t get better than this!

Akele Hum Akele Tum

Year of release: 1995

Super dad: Aamir Khan

Why: This musical drama was a remake of Hollywood hit Kramer vs Kramer. Aamir Khan portrayed the role of Rohit Kumar, an aspiring musician who is compelled to take care of his son after he is separated from his wife. How Rohit takes care of his son while trying to make it big in the music world forms the main plot. Aamir Khan showcased the role of an egoistic husband who turns into a selfless father with ease.

Chachi 420

Year of release: 1998

Super dad: Kamal Hassan

Why: This desi version of Mrs Doubtfire gave us enough opportunities to laugh our guts out. Kamal Hassan essayed the role of Robin Williams in this comedy. After he separates from his wife (Tabu), who also wins their daughter’s custody, Kamal dresses up as Laxmi Godbole to be his daughter’s nanny and spend some quality time with her. But his father-in-law and landlord fall head over heels in love with him. What follows next is utter chaos. This rollercoaster ride with the likes of Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Walker and of course, Kamal Hassan was a complete entertainer.

Rom coms rule the roost

A still from Dill Mill Gayye


Say goodbye to saas-bahu serials and hello to teenage romance. Teenybopper love stories seem to be the flavour of the season what with not one, but four such serials airing on prime time television.

Channels have changed strategy and wooing younger audiences with their Gen-next programmes. So oodles of cakey makeup, weird camera angles, the whole nine yards and those tiffs between saas-bahus have now been replaced with bubble gum colours, casual ensembles and tiffs between lovers.
We take a look at all such young love-centric serials :

Dill Mill Gayye
This show can undoubtedly be hailed as the pioneer in teenage romance. When it was launched, Dill Mill Gayye was touted as a sequel to the once successful Sanjivani. The hospital drama revolves around a bunch of doctors, their lives and experiences at Sanjivani hospital. Once the show started becoming popular, the hospital drama was soon turned into a rom com - read: a humour, emotion and love triangle-filled story. Guess, it was time to introdce a desi Scrubs to the Indian audience.
It also gave us the ever popular Karan Singh Grover as Armaan, the protagonist. Grover won everyone’s hearts with his antics and die-hard love for fellow doctor Riddhima, now played by Jennifer Winget. The serial, which has completed over 300 episodes, has also introduced characters played by Amit Tandon and Shweta Gulati, simply to add some masala and romance to the existing love story.

Sayantani Chakraborty, a Class 12 student is hooked on to this prime time show. She says, “It’s a welcome change from the saas-bahu serials. I never watched those because I couldn’t relate to them. I simply love Armaan’s character in DMG. He’s a die-hard romantic just like me.”

Miley Jab Hum Tum

Riding high on the success of Dill Mill Gayye, Star One soon came up with Miley Jab Hum Tum. This show revolves around two small town sisters, Gunjan (Sanaya Irani) and Nupur (Rati Pandey) who are complete opposites and their adventures when they move to a city college. They share a love-hate relationship with their classmates Samrat (Mohit Sehgal) and Mayank (Arjun Bijlani). The serial, which takes a humourous look at first love, heartbreak, the trials and tribulations of youngsters, is quite popular amongst college students.
Vinisha Seth, a college student and a regular follower of Miley jab hum tum says, “It’s fun to watch a show that revolves around students. It’s almost like watching your own life with a twist.”
Kismat connection

Sahara One’s love story on re-incarnation Jo Ishq Ki Merzi Woh Rab Ki Marzi has now been revamped and re-launched as Kismat Connection. The show which was earlier set in the 1890s is now set in present day and focuses on two couples. Though the original star cast remains the same, two new characters have been introduced. Despite being engaged to two different people, how the lead characters fall in love forms the crux of the story.

The show was allegedly revamped since in its earlier avatar, it’s TRP ratings were at an all-time low. Let’s wait and watch if Kismat Connection manages to grab some eyeballs.

Love Ne Mila Di Jodi

The latest to join the bandwagon is Love Ne Mila Di Jodi which aired yesterday on Star One. The show promises to be a love story cum family drama. The story revolves around three brothers who come to Mumbai and then fall in love with three sisters. How predictable! The show has two known faces, Gaurav Khanna and Chandana Sharma. Besides that there are many new faces like Dishant Arora, Karan Thacker, Simran Kaur and Pemeet Chauhan. Let’s see if this serial climbs up the popularity chart with its new cast but clichéd storyline.

The whole emphasis is on getting young blood hooked to TV serials. Whether the audience falls for these rom coms, or gives it a miss remains to be seen. Do you think it will work? Leave us a comment and let us know.

10 mins to a fab you

By Rinky Kumar, Team iDiva

You don't have to spend hours in front of the mirror to look your gorgeous best. Here are some tips and tricks to look fab in less than 10 minutes.

Hydrate your skin

Make-up artist Meghna Butani recommends using a face scrub and following it up with a skin primer. A primer creates a smooth base and ensures that your make-up stays for a longer time. It also acts as a shield against oiliness and camouflages blemishes, large pores and fine lines.

If you have dark circles, then use a little concealer and top it off with some loose powder. "Once the base of your skin is hydrated, any make-up will look good," says Meghna.

Let your eyes do the talking

If you want to be the cynosure of all eyes, then it's imperative to curl your lashes with a lash curler and then use mascara. Make-up artist Reema Sablok says, "Everyone should ideally have a lash curler. It can instantly bring out your eyes."

She also suggests that if you have light eyebrows, then you need to fill them up with an eyebrow pencil.

Blush it on

Add some colour to your cheeks with the right blusher. Sablok says, "Avoid using a shiny blusher during daytime. The best bet is a peachy matt blush that brightens up your cheeks almost instantly."

Kissable lips

Dry, chapped lips can be a huge turn-off. But you can get soft lips within two minutes. Just brush your lips with your toothbrush.

Yes, you heard it right. The toothbrush brushes away all the dead skin and leaves you with soft, supple lips. Top it off with a lip gloss or a lip stainer.

Butani suggests, "If you have thin lips, then use a lip plumper as it plumps up lips for a few hours."

Tip to toe

You can keep those cuticles at bay by brushing your nails with a loofah. Opt for a hand and foot cream to moisturise your tips and toes.

Sablok also suggests that you should always carry a nail buffer in your bag. "A buffer gives you shiny nice nails instantly. Also ensure that your nails are equally filed. Shapeless nails can be a huge turn-off."

Get baby soft skin

Butani suggests the age old recipe of curd, honey and milk to get baby soft skin. You can also opt for baby oil and wash it off with a scrub; you will be left with soft, supple skin.

Hair and about

If your hair is cut in layers and you want a wet look, then take a little bit of mousse and scrunch it with your hands.

Hair expert Simi Keer suggests these pointers:

• For a softer look, use a serum on damp hair as it gives a very nice texture.
  
  
• To tie-up your hair in a stylish hair-do, comb your hair upside down and spray in some hair spray, take two-three pins and tie up a French roll. A French roll works best as a formal or casual hairdo.
  
  
• If you have curly locks, comb it once only when it's wet. Then take some mousse to scrunch it up. The mousse enhances your curls. Avoid combing your locks often as the more you comb, the frizzier it becomes.
  
  
• If you have long, silky hair, then use some serum, comb your mane and let your locks flow naturally.

Follow these easy tips and tricks, and you are good to go in less than 10 minutes.

Macro eating

By Rinky Kumar, Team iDiva

Madonna and Gywneth Paltrow follow it religiously. Back home, Katrina Kaif and Tabu swear by its healing qualities. We are talking about Macrobiotic food diet that has taken the world by storm. This diet, rich in complex carbohydrates and fibre, not only helps you knock off those kilos but also takes off years from a person's face and body.
What is it?

It is a wholegrain veg approach that includes more foods that are probiotic in nature. So it comprises of 50-60 per cent of whole grains like brown rice and barley, 25-30 percent of veg, 5-10 per cent of beans including legumes like chickpea, rajma and five percent of miso soup. It also includes condiments that aid digestion, alkalise food, maintain the PH balance of the body and flush out all the toxins. This diet, however, avoids the use of dairy, refined flour, sugar and preservatives.

George Ohsawa, a famous Japanese philosopher, coined the term macrobiotics in late 1950s. Macrobiotics means the way of longevity. Five of Ohsawa's students later popularised the diet in Europe. Michio Kushi, one of Ohsawa's students is considered as the pioneer of this movement in the US.

Expert talk

It's not just another fashionable diet, popularised by celebs. Even fitness experts swear by its benefits. Leena Mogre, director of Leena Mogre's Fitness Studio says, "These food items are rich in phytoestrogens that reduce the risk of cancer. Macrobiotic diet is famously known for avoiding cancer and promoting longevity."

Healthy bites

Dietician, chef and counsellor Shonaalii Sabherwal is a strong advocate of macrobiotic diet. In fact, she's the one who introduced the diet in India a year-and-half ago with her venture Enhance. She counsels and provides tiffin service to health aficionados. It covers multi-cuisine and Indian meals that include Greek Paella, Mediterranean taboule, Thai curry, Japanese sushi, seaweed soup and veg biryani. Even the desserts are made with natural sweeteners derived from brown rice or barley.

She tried the diet on her father, who was suffering with cancer. Eventually he died, but she saw some remarkable health benefits. She says, "Since macrobiotic is a lifestyle diet, it's known to create cells. So it works as a cancer curing diet. A patient who has not undergone chemotherapy and radiation usually shows good response after following this diet."

Why macrobiotic?

So how long does it take for the effects to show, after you start consuming macrobiotic diet? Sabherwal says, "The effects are visible within a month. You start feeling much more energetic, and within four months, your blood condition improves."

Long term benefits - "Follow it for two years and every cell in your body changes and within seven years, you are a completely new person," concludes Sabherwal.

Cricket's best, B'town's worst

They have entertained us with their smashing sixes and fours on the pitch. Now they are all set to enthrall us with their debut performances off the pitch. Yes, the dudes of the Indian cricket team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh will don the grease paint and make their debut in actor Dino Morea’s forthcoming film. Dino is apparently also wooing master blaster Sachin Tendulkar to star in the cricket-centric film.

Well, this is not the first time that cricketers have been lured by the glitz and glamour of Bollywood. Check out this line up to know who made an appearance in films and sank without a trace:

Salim Durani in Charitra (1973)

He was known for his fantastic stroke play and good looks. Salim Durrani was the first cricketer to make an appearance in films. He was paid Rs 80,000 for a role as a playboy industrialist in BR Isharra's film, Charitra opposite Parveen Babi. The film bombed and Durrani failed to re-create the magic on the big screen.

Sunil Gavaskar in Savli Premachi (1980) and Maalamaal (1988)

He is known as the greatest opening batsmen in test match history. But little master Sunil Gavaskar too fell prey to the glitz and glamour of Bollywood. He made his debut in Savli Premachi. The family drama was a huge flop. He followed it up with Maalamaal where he played himself. The comedy film didn’t do too well at the box-office.

Sandeep Patil and Syed Kirmani in Kabhi Ajnabee The (1985)

After making his mark as a cricketer, Sandeep Patil was known for his liaisons with different actresses. He made his debut opposite Poonam Dhillon and Debashree Roy in Kabhi Ajnabi The. The love triangle sank at the box office. And Sandeep Patil’s filmi career was over even before it started. His friend and team mate, wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani too made a cameo in the same film. He played the role of a villain with karate as his USP.

Salil Ankola in Kurukshetra (2000) and Chura Liya Hai Tumne (2003)

He, unlike other cricketers, was always known more for his tall, dark, and handsome looks than his on-the-field prowess. After his career ended due to a leg injury, Salil Ankola made his debut in television. He acted in serials like Chaahat aur Nafrat, Kora Kaagaz and Ak...tion unlimited Josh.

Later he acted in films like Kurukshetra and Chura Liya Hai Tumne. While in Kurukshetra, he enacted the role of a cop, in the Zayed Khan-Esha Deol-starrer, he played a negative role. The movie, however, is best remembered for Rakhi Sawant’s Mohabbat Hai Mirchi song and not for Ankola's presence!

Vinod Kambli in Annarth (2002)

His claim to fame is his friendship with master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. But Vinod Kambli was unable to replicate the success of his best friend. After he failed to make an impact as a cricketer, he decided to try his luck in films. He made his debut in action master Ravi Dewan’s gang-war drama Annarth. His histrionics and weird dialogue delivery couldn’t save the fate of the film.

Ajay Jadeja in Khel (2003)

Once he was known as one of the best fielder of the Indian cricket team. That was before he was implicated in the match fixing scam. After bidding farewell to cricket, Ajay Jadeja decided to make a foray into films. He made his debut opposite Celina Jaitley in Khel. The murder mystery also starred Sunny Deol and Sunil Shetty. Thanks to Jadeja’s deadpan expression and effeminate voice, he failed to impress the critics and audiences alike.

Anil Kumble in Meerabai Not Out (2008)

This legendary cricketer-turned-commentator showed his excellent captaincy skills in the Indian Premier League 20-20 this year. His googlies were a hit with everyone. But Anil Kumble too couldn’t resist the limelight. He was seen in a cameo appearance in Pritish Nandy Communication’s Meerabai Not Out. Mandira Bedi played the title role. It revolved around a cricket crazy fan’s obsession with Kumble. And as with all films with cricketers, this too turned out to be a dud.

Which cricketer do you think came closest to pulling it off as an actor in Bollywood? Leave us a comment and let us know.