NOTCH Magazine April 2013 Issue by Anu Deepika

TEAM CREDITS EDITORIAL

DESIGN

Yagna Balaji Editor

Majid Rehman Creative Director

Bijoy Bharathan Assistant Editor

Asmita Aggarwal Bureau Chief - Delhi

Rohit Panikker Senior Sub-Editor

Tushar A. Amin Entertainment Editor

Anupriya D Content Manager

Arpita Chatterjee Spl Correspondent - Mumbai

Matha-Ul-Ameen, Karishma Menon Rityka Venessa Edwin M. Saravanan Kalyani Graphic Design

Gayathri K Sornavel Animation Jegannathan.S Illustration

MARKETING Bruce Schwack Executive Director Manoj Kumar Online Marketing Manager

Daya Kingston Online Editor

Hema Sethuraman Director & Publisher Pradeep Dadha Chairman, NOTCH Media Pvt. Ltd. PRADEEP DADHA GROUP OF COMPANIES

BOARD OF ADVISORS Advait Pandit Anand Pathak

Ravi Krishnan Yathin Reddy

NOTCH Media Pvt. Ltd.

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NOTCH EDIT

A few good men

very edition is a revelation. Through the words and actions of the cross-section of achievers featured in NOTCH, our world-view broadens every day. And while it’s become quite fashionable to discuss and deride male chauvinism, this edition has opened our eyes to the quiet way in which a few extraordinary men show their respect for the fairer sex. Abhishek Bachchan has always acknowledged the role of the strong women in his life – mom Jaya, wife Ash and sister Shweta. But minutes before he gave NOTCH the interview on being a dad, he charmed the audience at Ritu Beri’s charity show with a rare display of concern. A little girl who was walking the ramp burst into tears when her shoelace got untied. The child was in obvious distress as she didn’t know how to continue, when AB Jr played white knight and unmindful of the crowds, got on stage, bent down and fixed her shoe. Lord Jeffrey Archer didn’t just speak about the emancipation of women – he made it a point to take to task every waiter who served him before his lady companion, every doorman who held the door open for him and not the ladies in his group. The author displayed such

warmth and respect for women, it’s no wonder his female following grows by leaps and bounds every year. Ashton Kutcher too was moved by the power of the Indian women when shooting in the country. While exploring the by-lanes of old Delhi on foot, he tweeted: “Met some powerful girls today in Delhi at Apne Aap: A grassroots movement to end sex trafficking,” and shared a picture of himself with the young girls there. The Hollywood superstar’s gesture of support went a long way in aiding the cause that had received little or no support till then. Dr Ashok Chopra is another example of a father who never allowed his daughter to limit herself. His dreams gave her flight, and in her own words, he is ‘the wind beneath her wings’. Today our NOTCH covergirl Priyanka Chopra – former Miss World, actress, singer and goodwill ambassador – credits her father for her achievements. In her interview, the actress opens up about how she owes her success to her upbringing and of course, a loving family. So sometimes, just sometimes behind good women are a few truly emancipated men.

NOTCH

design

fashion

CONTENTS

SANYA DHIR On draping Sonia Gandhi

PRIYANKA CHOPRA On top of her game

RITU BERI Seasons in the sun

travel

JEFFREY ARCHER First Among Equals

AT THE PEAK Bebo’s favourite holiday destinations

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people

At home with Adarsh Gill

SHEHLA KHAN Poised for take off

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN Dad’s the way to go

KARISMA KAPOOR Looking back, looking ahead

cinema

ADITI RAO HYDARI Gets her act together RANVEER SINGH Let’s get physical

THE MANY PHASES of Abhishek Kapoor TAMANNAAH BHATIA Will not kiss on screen

ANUPAM KHER On being a die-hard De Niro fan

KONKONA SEN SHARMA Perfects the balancing act

Being Steve Jobs Ashton Kutcher

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food wellness

VIKAS KHANNA A bawarchi in New York

SONAL CHAUHAN’S Fruity Fitness Mantra

DATE WITH DESTINY Sheetal Dewan predicts

EVELYN SHARMA’S Beauty Secrets

FRIZZ CONTROL Shahnaz Hussain’s hair tips Notch Lit In our digital library

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NOTCH FASHION

Parisian Dreams From running her father’s embroidery unit to dressing Sonam Kapoor ‘just for fun’, designer Shehla Khan talks about how she now plans to take her label overseas Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION

hehla Khan is better-known in design circles as fashionista Sonam Kapoor’s favourite stylist, but this London College of Fashion graduate has a lot more to offer than just being a star gazer! Shehla began her career working for Manish Malhotra. “Manish is a true master of his craft. I learnt so much from him. It was here that I discovered that styling interested me the most so I went to the Istituto Marangoni, Milan to do my Masters in the subject,” she remembers. Eventually Shehla joined her father’s business where she had the opportunity of working with international designers. “My father has been in the embroidery business for the last 30 years and has worked with reputed designers like Gianfranco Ferre, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Escada, Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli. This was the time I discovered my passion for European luxury and style,” she admits. Like all style gurus, Shehla too had a burning desire to launch her own line, so she started small — designed a couple of garments, dressed her friend Sonam Kapoor — before she decided to create her own label and launch her boutique, last year! Today, she is determined to expand her creative horizons, keeping individual tastes in mind. “Take the example of Sonam. She is the epitome of grace in terms of style and versatility. She can carry off any look and create an impact — from androgynous to feminine, romantic to grunge. She’s raised the bar in terms of style,” she adds. | fashion

Shehla’s inspiration comes from Christian Dior “for his idea of couture; Audrey Hepburn for her strong and elegant sense of style; Valentino because to me he is the ultimate master of the evening gown; John Galliano who retained the name and reputation of the original Christian Dior even after he added his own glamorous aesthetic to it; Marie Antoinette who lived her life in decadent splendour. And Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for the royal elegance with which they present even the simplest garment,” she smiles. If given the opportunity to turn back the clock, Shehla, would have loved to dress Madhubala, Ingrid Bergman, Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco. “In Hollywood, I find that Diane Kruger pulls off anything she wears with utmost elegance. Rosie Huntington Whiteley isn’t Hollywood per say, but she exudes beauty and has a fantastic figure so I would love to create sexy dresses for her,” she smiles. For Spring 2013, Shehla believes tailoring will be the star of the show. So, minimal yet bespoke silhouettes with prints or with slight embellishments will rise and shine. “Rich fabrics will complement the silhouettes and stripes and checks will be exceedingly popular. But accessories is where the emphasis will lie — shoes, bags, minaudieres and clutches — with gold being a must in accessories or embellishments,” she feels. Currently retailing from her boutique in Colaba, Mumbai, Shehla supplies part of her Pret collections to Aza and Fizaa and online to Pernia’s Pop Up Shop. However the majority of the collection in her boutique is exclusive. “It’s only been a year since my boutique was launched and when I do open another one in India it would be in Delhi. However, I’d like my label to go international and it’s my dream to have my very own boutique in Paris! For now, however, I am concentrating on exclusivity,” she concludes. | fashion

NOTCH CINEMA

A Job

Well Done

“I started thinking about all the ways my life was affected by Steve Jobs,’’ says Ashton Kutcher as he talks about preparing for his role in the biopic of the co-founder of Apple Rohit Panikker

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n a teaser clip of Jobs, the upcoming biopic on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, we see Ashton Kutcher in the titular role, goading Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) into thinking further on an idea he called the “operating system” and the possibility of personalising a computer the way every user saw fit; an idea to which a bemused Wozniak responds, “Even if you were developing this for freaks like us, which I doubt you are … nobody wants to buy a computer! Nobody!” Seems like such an irony today, given how what happened after that conversation has come to shape our modern, tech-driven lives.

Ashton worked for months researching every aspect of Jobs’ personality and idiosyncrasies, even adopting his ‘fruitarian’ diet | cinema

When the father of the digital revolution died in October 2011, Kutcher was as devastated as the inventor’s million other fans. “When Steve Jobs passed away, I had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didn’t know what it was,” the actor says. “I was like, ‘Wow, why am I so shook up about this?’” After replacing Charlie Sheen and well into the popular comedy series Two and a Half Men, Kutcher would have seemed the most unlikely candidate to play Steve Jobs. But his uncanny resemblance to Jobs was not the only thing that earned him the role. “I started thinking about all the ways my

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I could,” he says. When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley, Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobs’ personality and idiosyncrasies, even adopting | cinema

his ‘fruitarian’ diet – eating only fruits, nuts and seeds and no animal products, vegetables or grains. “First of all, the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues. I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie. I was doubled over in pain. My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack. It was really

terrifying ... considering everything,” the actor shares. The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius, like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford, is in evidence everywhere around us. He says Jobs was that rare genius “like Leonardo Da Vinci — someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraption.” Kutcher says Jobs’ defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal, along with an ability “to say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes to.” The object of that focus, he says, was the creation of a great consumer experience. “He cared more than anyone else — with every fiber of his being — about the quality of that experience,” the actor says. “He dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think, to date, he’s done it.”

Jobs, the film, focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple, a name familiar with everyone – tech junkie or otherwise. And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to | cinema

introduce a character who was enigmatic. Very few people really knew who he really was, including those who were around him for many years. And that, Kutcher observes, is something else the film tries to explore — Steve Jobs’ never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust; be it Steve Wozniak, investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine). “All three represent different aspects of that, and somewhere along the way it didn’t work out with each of them, to put it mildly,” Kutcher says. “We all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and, as a sort of backbone of this movie, you’ve got a guy who wants to create something, who wants to change the world, who wants to make a difference, and is looking for the partner to do that with.” “Everything that Steve Jobs ever did, he had a reason for,” says the actor, every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film. “Some people didn’t agree with his reasons, but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very, very, very long time.”

NOTCH FASHION

POWER DRESSING

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics, Sonia Gandhi and how ‘secret’ boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders! Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION

t was a pink, hand-woven, khadi sari – a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison. His daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-inlaw Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968. Twenty eight years on, Indira’s grand daughter, Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra.

“Soniaji’s taste is simple. She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin), which are painstakingly woven and often look plain” TAP FOR VIDEO

As is evident by this, Sonia, like the senior Mrs Gandhi, is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves — a fact that most of us know. But what many of us don’t known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition — started by his father way back in the early 1950s. That of delivering what the Dhir family calls ‘secret boxes’ containing saris — especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) — to the Gandhi residence. Sanya Dhir, Surinder’s daughter, elaborates on how Sonia’s fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of India’s weavers. “Soniaji’s taste is simple. She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin), which are painstakingly woven and often look plain,” explains Sanya. Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Sonia’s favourites but bling is a strict no! “My dad, who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years, knows that she likes hand dyes, vegetable colours, hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs). Understated elegance is her style mantra,” says Sanya. KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

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directly with the weavers — so there are no middlemen. Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate. “The saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them. The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches, so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari. Soniaji doesn’t like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear — pastels, browns, greys, deep blues, cappuccino and of course, various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders, which she teams with stylish peep toes,” she adds. Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk — a subtle, finely woven fabric. “Keeping Soniaji’s profile in mind, KBSH doesn’t offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised). In winter our selection changes to Jamevars. Manmohan Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibal’s wife, Promila are old customers. However, they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functions.” Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day. “Priyanka is not a flashy person — she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris. I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Miraya,” she concludes. | fashion

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY Daddy’s lil’ girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to Asmita Aggarwal be drawn into controversies | people

Photography: Avinash Gowariker Make up: Mickey Contractor Courtesy: Red Chillies Entertainment

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etter known as Priyanka Chopra’s father, Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who had the words ‘Daddy’s lil girl’ tattooed on her wrist. The strain of her father’s ill health reflects in the Bollywood beauty’s eyes when you ask her about him. “He is ailing. I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments. I pray he gets better. I do love him – he is the wind beneath my wings,” she says.

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhia’s Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Films’ Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, On her father: Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting. In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate. “Gunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus, so it is quite an exciting project for me,” she confesses. Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist, Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi! and what a life-altering decision it was for her. “To play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat, Anurag was extremely understanding – egging me on to give my best. It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscars,” she adds.

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge, whether personal or professional. She loves sports so maybe that’s why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Kom’s life, is something dear to her heart. Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says, “Mary has been an inspiration.’’ Priyanka plans to visit Mary’s hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm. “Mary is totally involved in the project. I met her recently and was floored by her courage, determination and grit. This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being. She made me laugh a lot. She has a fabulous sense of humour, is fun, full of beans and a great girl. Look what she has achieved just because of her will power to face the odds with equanimity. I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character. It will require a lot of physical as well as mental discipline,” says Priyanka.

“He is ailing. I pray he gets better. I love him - he is the wind beneath my wings”

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The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them. Talking about her recent release, In My City, featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer, Will.I.Am, she confesses that she’s thrilled about how well the song was received. “Atom Factory CEO Troy Carter, (who also manages Lady Gaga), will be my manager for music

globally. If given an opportunity in Bollywood I’d love to sing my own songs, but nobody has asked me as yet! I was a bathroom singer; I never thought I would sing professionally one day. But then I said, ‘why not?’ and it all worked out so well. I am under contract to Universal right now so I can’t sing for anybody else. But who knows what the future holds? I am happy my dad pushed me to do this. He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actress,” admits the desi girl.

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didn’t show up at India Gate to support the protests. I wanted to ask them, why they felt they needed stars for causes? My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women. And this must start at the grassroots level,” she adds. Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

On singing:

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live. “I like to be prepared and I don’t think I am so ready right now,” she explains.Priyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course, a loving family. “We as women have the ability to bring people together – I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe that’s why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelation,” says Priyanka.

“If given an opportunity in Bollywood, I’d love to sing my own songs, but nobody has asked me as yet!”

Working with UNICEF changed Priyanka’s world view. It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up, she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely. “Many journalists | people

based style guru, Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer, where she plays an NRI. Does she have a favourite look? “You know, people think I am a lover of dresses, but I actually love saris. I can wear them anytime, anywhere – even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold. They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly. Otherwise I am a creature of comfort. I love jeans and a T-shirt. I am not a fashion victim. For instance I won’t be seen wearing colour blocking just because it’s in. I’m not a ‘me too’ kind of girl. Fashion must reflect who you are as a person – a woman with confidence – so I dress accordingly,” she confesses. With cousin sister Parineeti in the running, Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

little Chopra clan within the film industry. But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013. “I am sure Parineeti, who is a strongwilled girl with her heart in the right place, will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood. My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame, money and power. All these things are transitory. It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour – that way you can protect yourself from getting hurt,” she says.

On dressing up:

“People think I love dresses, but I actually love saris. I can wear them anytime, anywhere!” | people

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies, with her name being linked to King Khan’s (SRK), being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khan’s buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star. But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past. And maybe that’s why she’s determined to remain happy. “I will live for the moment – take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the future,” she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

Sting Rocks Jodhpur

| INSIDER

select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musician Sting live, as he performed at the grand finale of the Jodhpur One World Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury Foundation. The event titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Beautiful Mindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10, 2013. Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists, experts in neuroscience and philosophy and industry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means to prevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India, the head injury capital of the world.

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private, one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem. The artiste lent his support saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This important issue deserves our attention now.â&#x20AC;? Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace, Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs. The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction, after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace. Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof, Jemima Khan, Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani, among others. | INSIDER

NOTCH PEOPLE

p U g n i Bring

B i t Be My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional support,â&#x20AC;? says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one Asmita Aggarwal

| people

s a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love, compassion, support and education,” says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old. Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal, Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will “have the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up. Whether she wants to walk the ramp, or be an actor will finally be her own decision. As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makes.” Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India, Aaradhya’s birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather. A hands-on father, loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy, Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being. “Kids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach you,” he says as an aside. Not a great believer in Women’s Day or Valentine’s Day or even Mother’s Day – | people

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds. “Creating awareness about such conditions is a must. Whatever I do, is just a drop in the ocean. We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of society,” he emphasises.

Abhishek however, admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power. “Women must be respected, loved, cherished and celebrated. Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life, and I have learnt so much from them. A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally – this for me is the most selfless act ever,” he says.

Abhishek’s sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he, like a doting brother, manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her. “I love being in Delhi,” he confesses, “Shweta is special and we share a great bond.” The mischievous glint in his | people

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart. He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna, a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs, as he suffered from mild dyslexia, a learning disability, in school. He is now

NOTCH CINEMA

GOODFELLAS Anupam Kher opens up about making Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting Arpita Chatterjee

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013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kher’s life. He’s released a book, The Best About You is You; he’s been in the Oscarwinning film, Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit. He’s also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film, I Went Shopping for De Niro, early this year. And all this is just for starters! “I am happy to be working in such interesting times,” says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way. ”I’m thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy work.”

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, which was based on the failures and disasters in my life. Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure. So, you see, everything is an achievement Coming from humble origins Anupam who now!” he exclaims. grew up Shimla, did not speak English till much later in his life. “The first English Anupam may not be afraid of failure but movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I he does get anxious when he’s flying. was around 10, but I didn’t understand a Alzheimer’s is another bug bear he admits. word of it,” he confesses. “It’s a disease I had to research when I was Sharing space with his idol, the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook, was for Kher a dream come true. “In fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry, which made him very uncomfortable. Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun. It’s because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life — that sense of wonderment is still alive!” he says. Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him. “I never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty. I acted in a play | cinema

working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara. Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worries.” The star who has acted in 460 films so far says he’s not content to sit on his laurels. “Over-confidence is one’s greatest enemy. I want to come up with better performances. If I got lazy it would stunt my growth.” That’s possibly one reason why he’s willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors – A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara. As he says, “I am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope. I have more energy today than I had earlier.” True, considering he’s still

“The first time I met my idol Robert De Niro I started to cry, which made him very uncomfortable. I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun”

doing seven to eight films a year. “Age is just a number for me. I don’t let it define what I want to do or achieve. I live life based on my feelings, not my age. And I don’t feel any different now from the way I felt at 20! So, why should I slow down? Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately, Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional. “They just value their time. Nothing is left to chance – everything is organised in advance. We are getting there – I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well prepared,” he says. | cinema

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original. “An original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one. That’s why Satyajit Ray got an Oscar,” he says adding, “with the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice. This is when it will become imperative to raise your standards.” The eternal optimist, Anupam believes in being positive. “My grandfather taught me that one should not double one’s problems – once by thinking about them and the second time, by going through them. I try to live by this credo.”

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERI

GOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism, Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation! Asmita Aggarwal | fashion

t’s difficult to say what I was looking for,’’ Mounir Moufarrige, former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times. Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s. “I was looking for someone with talent… for style that wouldn’t only last a season… I saw one of Ritu’s shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes – the flow, the cut, the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity. She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen before,” he added. “Mounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in design,” said Ritu Beri, then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to successfully court the impossible French luxury

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segment. Ritu, many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French. So, maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage, her mentor. Whatever the reasons, there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer, started by Jean Louis, a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear, was proof of her success. “It was a once in a lifetime experience. There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do! My patternmakers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris. I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for me,” she admits. Staying away from fashion weeks, Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all she’s got.

| fashion

“It’s about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time. In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinary,” she smiles.

“I don’t miss the limelight, it’s just a trap. All you need is peace, love & family”

| fashion

After being in the limelight for most of her youth, Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level. “Since the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems. I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation, a charity with the mission of supporting lessprivileged children and creating awareness about autism.” On the home front, Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia. “I like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission. I don’t miss the limelight, it’s just a trap. All you need is peace, love and family,” she confesses.

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER

tar, Akh rkar d e nda a h Jav B ippy hur Mad amesh S R and

Anil Ambani, Kate Capshaw, Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

| INSIDER

e saw it when Tom Cruise made his ‘short’ trip. We saw it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrej’s welcome do. When Hollywood blue blood comes calling, the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling, star-struck fan-boys (and girls). So, when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a ‘masterclass’, some diffidence was expected. However, instead of a schmoozing party, when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction in the form of a masterclass, another side of Bollywood was revealed. Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr. Anil Ambani, Chairman, Reliance ADA Group. It was not an invitation he could turn down, as Mr. Ambani is also the Mr. Moneybags who rescued Spielberg’s production house Dreamworks from going bust. And despite Spielberg’s cinematic portrayal of India (remember, he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Doom), the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy. Unfortunately, the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive, invitees only masterclass that he conducted. The select guests, dressed in their Sunday best, proved to be an attentive audience as Mr. Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking. Mr. Bachchan was sharp as a censor’s scissor. Like a professional interviewer, he had done his research and like a professional actor, he knew his lines, never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding. His questions ranged from professional observations, like the use of sound in Spielberg’s first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan, to personal, “What do your kids think of your films?” Spielberg responded with an unusual openness, even confessing to his desperation | INSIDER

comedy recently?” One hand went up – Homi Adajania (Cocktail). A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a “Aww, come on. These are broad genres. Ok, who has made a musical recently?” Still, no response. Finally, an apologetic Mr. Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals. Spielberg, by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue Graciously, Spielberg offered about the genre of their last made movie. to ease the tension and ask some questions. “Who Very often, questions among you has made an action movie recently?” Not asked by ‘important people’ a single director replied. And in public are not questions but statements as was this was an audience that evident when Javed included Bollywood’s Akhtar questioned whether action-specialists AbbasSpielberg was moving Mustan who recently from his earlier child-like released Race 2; the posterboy of gritty, violent cinema films to more serious Anuraag Kashyap whose cinema. Spielberg promptly 2012 film Gangs Of threw the recent Tintin Wasseypur, by his own in his face. Backpack accounts, has been totting Anurag Kashyap internationally hailed as reminded Spielberg of Peter India’s answer to The Biskind’s book Easy Rider, Godfather. Not to mention, Raging Bulls that revolved Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) around the brat-pack and Bijoy Nambiar (David). moviemaking idols of For lack of response, Kashyap – Coppola and Spielberg asked, “Who Scorsese, and Spielberg, of among you has made a course. “The book stated to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers, despite making blockbuster films. The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs, all eyes and ears lest they miss any ‘inspiration’. So far, so good. Then the floor was thrown open to Q&A. And this is where things started going south. The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test.

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

that you were the kid of the gang. How do you recall that time?” An outspoken Spielberg retorted – “I really don’t like that book.” - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book, hoping someday a great book about those years would be written. Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker. Karan Johar’s protégé Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt | INSIDER

Lincoln – a film that was part-financed by Mr. Ambani. The session over, it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star, Bollywood’s high-andmighty lined up for a The only intelligent preening group photo. So questions came from Mr. Bachchan and, unexpectedly, much for a masterclass in from Mrs. Bachchan who as filmmaking! While for the filmmakers invited to the an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a event, it may have seemed like they have arrived, with film because he could not the level of engagement find the right actor. Finally, seen on ground we just wish Mr. Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag, that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for asked Spielberg to share a photograph. more about the making of the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out. And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story. Spielberg replied that his life was one.

NOTCH CINEMA

O O A L IS TER BACK Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him Vanita Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza

| CINEMA

anveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire with his latest films and his great physique, which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela. Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme. “It’s what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath. Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot. He said ‘when you come on screen the girls | cinema

should either tear your clothes off or their own.” The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because, “the film

is set in 1980 before the gym culture,” confesses that if you want people to look at you, ”you should have a physique worth looking at.” Perhaps that’s why he takes his shirt off in many of his films! Ranveer smiles, “When we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl, I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance. He turned around and told me, ‘There’s a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to remove your shirt at any point.’ So, I prepared hard and I’m happy that it’s there on celluloid for posterity.” As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela goes Ranveer says, “We were doing a song when Bhansali Sir saw my body and said, ‘Let’s do this shirtless.’ ” The actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences. “However, no one can compete with

Salman Khan who is my inspiration, ” says Ranveer. Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at. “I go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes. But sometimes it’s hard to diet – so you have to be determined not to cheat,” says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body.

to the longest, Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat. “Our relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl. During

are very different. She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse. So, by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way, Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi. For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati. “I went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five days,’’ he says. The actor who’s romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka, Deepika, Parineeti and Sonakshi says that he’s enjoyed working with all of them as “everybody has a different chemistry and temperament.” Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin. And about Anushka Sharma, the girl he was linked | cinema

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes. At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmony.”

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HIMMA T WALI South siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood Lipika Varma

| CINEMA

amannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the Bollywood film, Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005. “But,” as she admits, “I received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there. However, the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight years.” Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead, Tamannaah replies, “Sajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force. But, having said that, the characters are different in this remake, which has been my | cinema

best break. Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri — I could never come close to her calibre.” Talking about the fact that she’s acted in a lot of remakes — the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Ali’s Jab We Met; the Tamil remake Siruthai from S.S. Rajamouli’s Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala — Tamannaah says, “It was not planned. I don’t want to be tagged a remake queen. As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles. Since a role has been done by someone earlier, there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively follow.” Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes. “I have worked with stars like Surya, Vijay, N.T.R. Junior and Ram Charan. I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences. I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes. I will continue to do what I’m comfortable with.” Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah. “I am a greedy actor,’’ she confesses adding, “I’ve always wanted to act. But I believe acting is a universal profession. We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood, Hollywood or Bollywood. For us it’s the kind of films we do that matter.” When questioned about her concept of love, the actress says,” It has to be perfect, crazy and passionate. I have been through puppy love in school — it was my friend’s brother.” And as for the future, Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips. “But I haven’t made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers. So, I’m taking my time before making any statement,” she says.

| cinema

Image: Sanjay Gupta

NOTCH PEOPLE

TO THE MANOR BORN “I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymore,” admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking, motherhood and family ties Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE

ressed in an all black, Burberry bodycon dress – her favourite label, Lolo looks almost gaunt. Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur. Sanjay, says the grapevine, is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwal’s ex-wife and socialite Priya – better-known in Delhi’s social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heels’.

With sister Bebo

| PEOPLE

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a ‘good mom’. “Being a mother is the most important role in my life right now. I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira grow,” she smiles. Interestingly, Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet. “I enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too, but I know when to stop, how to detox and when to say ‘enough’. And let me tell you a secret, there’s nothing better than walking – it tones you up and strengthens your muscles,” she says.

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor, Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed she’d had an easy ride into filmdom. “So, I had to work doubly hard. Then came marriage and now kids. I must admit that each phase has been beautiful. I am where I am due to sheer hard work, commitment and dedication. I haven’t forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govinda,” she laughs. In her journey to the top, Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo. “I learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration I’ve coined an acronym for the word ‘MOM’ – master of multi-tasking!” she grins. Lolo is a doting sister. “There were just the three of us, | PEOPLE

growing up – mom, me and Bebo, so we became inseparable. We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer. We share an invisible, intangible bond.” And as far as her brother-inlaw is concerned she says, “Saif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) – he knows how to treat a woman. Bebo and he

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

make a great couple. I wish them many years of happiness.” Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai, Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita. “She taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way we’d planned. Without her support I would never have acted in films, experimented with new-age cinema, or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks. I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kids,” she adds. Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq, Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way. “I’ve seen the highs and lows in Bollywood, you have no friends there. I am no longer in any race. I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza, when art house cinema was not touched by commercial actors. So, I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that don’t interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home. I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymore,” she concludes

NOTCH CINEMA

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business Tushar A Amin

| CINEMA

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create? There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed. As things played out, you happened to be a late bloomer. What would you say to your detractors? You have to really believe in yourself and your dreams. Early failure can end all the positivity – it’s a dark space where you can experience hell. My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet. Add to this, friends and peers at work who’ve stood by me and never been judgmental. Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

| cinema

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea. The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out. One has to express this idea the way one knows best. I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations, which form a contextual backdrop, but that’s where my part ends. Thinking viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over. And that’s fine – after all, you may not like what

you’re doing at times, but you must remain faithful to the cause you’ve signed up for. Is it a conscious decision to work with non-stars? There is no deliberate play at work here. A film should get the actors it deserves. There’s the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together. The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the film’s own. That’s my style of functioning. I am aware it’s completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first – then developing an idea tailor-made for that star, then choosing technicians etc. Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India. We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon! Now that you’ve firmly established yourself as a successful director, is the acting bug still alive in you? The quality of roles and opportunities for actors today is leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor. My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum. I’ve seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible. So yes, I’m not done with acting – it’s still unfinished business. You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che. Has Pragya taken you up on that statement? Pragya is an old soul and to me that’s the most endearing quality about her. She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit. She’s been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience. We’re both taking steps to explore each other’s worlds and so far it’s been a breeze.

observe the world around me when I’m not. Once my professional commitments are over, I take off on an extended vacation across Europe. In the interim, I’m going to Goa for some ‘me’ time. Should we expect another `friendship’ movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts? I would be surprised if that happens – it’s a great idea though. Seriously speaking, I am looking to explore a genre I haven’t pursued before. Comedy, romance, biopic – you name it and it’s there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress. When this happens some buzz is bound to spread. Till then, the drawing board is where it’s all at!

Do you travel and take time out? I am a veritable wanderer. I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

| cinema

NOTCH CINEMA

Princess

Diaries

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage, her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance Tushar A Amin

| CINEMA

n an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed, Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the impossible. From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London, Paris, New York and Murder 3, this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances. Here’s looking at what makes this exotic lady tick. You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason? (Laughs). The Rao is from my mother’s side while Hydari is my father’s surname. My greatgrandfather was the Nizam’s prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh. My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School. As you can imagine, a lot of emphasis was laid on education. But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey. My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage. Was there a resistance to you working in films? Absolutely not! My family is very progressive and liberal. Arts and culture are considered sacred. Naturally, acting and films were never looked down upon. Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industry? I did not watch Hindi films growing up. I only started watching movies around the time Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released. I remember the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar | cinema

Anthony, and I was completely transfixed. My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs, so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer. But I had set my heart on dancing. So, there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood!

you have to do with all your heart and honesty. Though I devote all my time to acting now, I believe dance has played an important part in my acting. I did not train as an actor. So what I had learned as a dancer, especially emoting with my eyes and things like that, helped me a lot.

When did films happen? I got my first movie break because I could dance. I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five. Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me. They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana. When the film was first offered to me, I actually said no – dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act. It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot. And I am so glad she did. I love being in front of the camera and I’ve felt comfortable about this from day one!

How is life for you beyond films? I have my dancing, music and yoga. I’d love to travel but I don’t have time. I love shopping for clothes. I am not too tight-fisted, nor am I a spendthrift. I am a complete foodie. I don’t get to spend as much time with my friends. So, I go out and meet them whenever I can. My mum lives in Delhi. I grew up with her as my parents are divorced. Every time I have a couple of days free, I rush to Delhi to be with her.

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumar’s next masala entertainer Naam Hai Boss… is there a pressure to be part of such films as well? I am doing them because I want to do them, not because of any pressure. I have always enjoyed commercial cinema. All my films were commercial! Even the most independent of the films I have done, Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success. I don’t make those distinctions. I am only interested in being part of good stories. I love naach, gaana and looking pretty… it is part of being an actor. Has dance taken a backseat now? I am a dancer and I always will be. Dancing needs complete commitment – It is something | cinema

When it comes to films, what legacy would you like to leave? At the risk of sounding vain, I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received. Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan! I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way. You could have somebody’s soul, but you have to be yourself.

o o t t a T Is Saif’s‘Dye’ing?

NOTCH INSIDER

is declaration of love by inking Kareena’s name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared Majnu No 1 by the masses. Sanjay Dutt, Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawab’s amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart. And even when he was in character, the actor didn’t allow any tampering or masking of his lady love’s name However, post marriage, when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade, we noticed something else fading..Saifu’s tattoo! Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport. We couldn’t spot the giant name stamp. One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle, but who are we to judge? The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod, don’t you think?

| INSIDER

NOTCH PEOPLE

Grey

Matter

Tired of playing the ‘earnest woman’, Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan, a film in one of her favourite genres Arpita Chatterjee | PEOPLE

Kalki, Emraan, Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

nown as the ‘thinking man’s’ heroine Konkona Sen Sharma says she’d like to do something different. “I would love to do a biopic. That would be exciting.” The darling of the critics, Konkona is now tired of playing – as she puts it – the ‘earnest woman’. “I want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey. One that has layers of good and evil.” So, what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan, a horror thriller | PEOPLE

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi? “I just had a couple of scenes with him, but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous person,’’ she says adding, “I love watching horror films. I think it’s really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure, the daayan (witch). The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing. In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan, the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances, as daayans, in it!” The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully, “I was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi. But when I was offered Namesake, I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue. And when I was offered Life of Pi, Haroon had just been born.” Both roles later went to Tabu.

Motherhood and being an actor don’t often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb. “I think most working mothers have it far harder. I did five films after Haroon turned one. Three were Bengali out of which one was my mother’s film. Working in my mother’s films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me. Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghosh’s Shunyo Awnko. I signed films, which did not have very demanding schedules. Ranvir, my husband, has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko, where there was very little infrastructure, I left Haroon with him.”

Konkona’s favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan, “who I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro. He’s such a giving actor in terms of performance.” And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh, Wes Anderson, Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee.

The actress who’s played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film. “I got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini, which is based in 1970,” she smiles. A huge movie buff, | PEOPLE

NOTCH FOOD

EAT PRAY LOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare, cooking for Obama and living up to his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hottest chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; title Bijoy Bharathan | food

he people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot – the list would include anyone from Amitabh Bachchan to US President Barack Obama! The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India, who has been anointed with titles like ‘The Hottest Chef in the World’, is however modest in his retort – he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar, whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world! Cooking for the first couple When I cooked for President Obama’s fundraiser, I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine. The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi – a mixture of chillies and cheese. Granny’s green corner I’ve always had a soft corner for veggies. My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs – and so they cooked the best meat dishes! My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace. Dal kamaal The irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort, identity and love. When you are raised in a middle class family, it’s hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble. Smokin’ hot chef I am certainly not the `hottest’ chef. Sure, I cook the hottest cuisine – Indian. I am | food

“The irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort, identity and love. When you are raised in a middle class family, it’s hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble”

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime. I never eat late, I don’t touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly. Taste versus health I don’t think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food. We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream. You could use better quality oil instead of butter/desi ghee. Fusion frenzy I have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines. Personally, I love it. India’s Michelin dream I think it’s just a matter of time before India’s Michelin dream becomes a reality. Forgive my sins I sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra). I run two extra miles when I eat it – but it’s worth it! Far from the madding crowd I love working out, swimming, reading, shooting pictures, listening to music, sculpting, writing, travelling and of course, eating. The way to one’s heart My documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality. Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise.

| food

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa

(Serves 4)

Method

Quarter and seed the tomato. Dice and transfer it to a bowl. Stir in half of the chopped onions, cilantro, Serrano chilli, salt, and half the lime juice. Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator. In a large non-reactive mixing bowl, toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated.

Ingredients

1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro 1 fresh Serrano or jalapeĂąo chilli, seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes 4 ripe Haas avocados, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 quart vegetable stock; more, if required Salt to taste

| food

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic, and sautĂŠ. Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent. Add salt, avocados and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and purĂŠe in a blender, adding more stock if the mixture is too thick. Refrigerate and serve chilled, topped with tomato salsa.

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg (Serves 4) Method

Soak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes. Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets, and season with salt and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt.

Ingredients

4 cedar grilling paper 4 tilapia fish fillets 2 tablespoons olive oil Juice of 1 lemon 1 tomato, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced Â˝ green pepper, coarsely chopped 2 shallots, coarsely chopped 1 teaspoon chilli flakes 8 slices lime 1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Salt to taste

| food

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper. Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle. Fold the paper and close, securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band. Preheat the oven to 350Âş F. Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked.

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

(Serves 4)

Method

Ingredients

4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick 10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate, cut into small pieces 1 teaspoon chilli flakes

Combine milk, mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium to high heat. Remove from heat, and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes, covered. Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs. Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat. Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy. Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes.

| food

NOTCH TRAVEL

ROMANCING

The Alps “If you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is, then it’s easily Gstaad in Switzerland,’’ says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots Manash Kamad | TRAVEL

ranquillity, for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the Alps.“It’s the snow. It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of peace,” she exclaims. And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe — Switzerland in particular — with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan. Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year. “I go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming films,” explains Kareena. But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure! “I do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese, chocolate and fondue. To top it all I also become a midnight snacker!” she admits.

| TRAVEL

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday? “I enjoy being on the beach. I’d love to go to Greece, Barcelona, or even Phuket. But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is, then it’s easily Gstaad in Switzerland. It’s pure bliss and I love returning here,” she admits. We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well. The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by — golf, heliskiing and even hot air ballooning! There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub. Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here – “it would be a great idea to have one’s own place where we could go and live for a few days every year,” she says. And if her wish were to come true, Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland!

| TRAVEL

NOTCH DESIGN

SILVER LINING

Veteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility Asmita Aggarwal | DESIGN

s a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s, Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again – she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label, Saz and was as she says, creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta “at his request’’. Her first showing at the Raffles Club, New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times. “A lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari, but I did it way back in the 70s. I even gave Francois Lesage, my

competitor in embroideries, a hard time,” she laughs. So, to give up her hectic life in New York, where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park, in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Rajesh Pilot Marg, in a halfacre property set on wellmanicured lawns. As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s, Adarsh explains, “There are bits of French and colonial influences here too, but I make sure everything blends perfectly together.”

“All the silver furniture has been designed by me. It took forever to make, but it was worth it”

| design

Klein, Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan, for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought. Today, Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital – 3

The Wedgewood blue living room, says Adarsh “is a colour that lifts my mood.” Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad, a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

room’s elegant appearance. Adarsh’s impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur, give the rooms in the house a touch of class. “All the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me. It took forever to make, but it was worth the wait,” she says. Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood – one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months. “I don’t like the busy French look, but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholstery,” she says. Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today – like the three small Francis Newton Souza’s. “I never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over. I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral, done when he was a young, struggling artist. I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course, Chaganlal who paints on masonite. I also have some | design

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh – his Cubanistic landscapes and tantrainspired philosophy – and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my house,” she explains. Adarsh’s bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata. It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion, some 30-years-old. Adarsh points

out that she is “quite a collector,’’ and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces, and Ming dynasty vases from China.But as she explains, ”The key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring. So it is art, I believe, to combine polka dot curtains with stripes, for example, but you must know how to do it artistically.” And Adarsh’s elegant home certainly proves her artistry!

NOTCH beauty

s t n uCoconut over

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

| beauty

Maintain a daily skincare ritual: To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing, toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential. Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser. Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated. The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin. Coconut-based moisturisers are best – coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils – as they leave your skin nourished all day.

Nourish your hair: Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil. This will give it that naturally healthy, soft and bouncy look. I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

3 | beauty

Watch what you eat: Add lots of fruits, green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet. Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin. I drink a lot of water, as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body. Coconut provides quick energy and hydration.

Take nature’s help: Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers – these provide excellent nourishment. Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin, making it soft and supple.

Workout regularly: Exercise, yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles. Exercise promotes circulation, keeps you healthy and vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin.

Rest awhile: Last but not least, take time out to relax. Meditate. Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life. This will help to keep you feeling calm. Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin. Without a good night’s sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it. | beauty

NOTCH BEAUTY

h t o o Sm Operator

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

5Tips for Frizzy Hair 1

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil, like sunflower oil, onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms. Smooth your palms over your hair. Or, take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it. Leave the oil on.

| BEAUTY

2 Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair. Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly.

4 After you shampoo, wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water. Avoid rubbing.

5 If you use a hair dryer, use a big round brush. Divide your hair into sections. Pin these up and dry one section at a time. Blow in a downward direction. Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz. | BEAUTY

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo. Mix together one egg, one tablespoon of castor oil, the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey. Apply this mixture onto your hair. Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour. Alternatively, mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil. Apply this paste onto your hair. Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off.

NOTCH

WELLNESS

The fruit of

FITNESS Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

| wellness

onal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door. At least that’s what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat. But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G. Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us, “I was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits. Being the foodie that I am, it was all the more daunting to stick to a diet.” Sonal’s dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window. “I had to give up on Selecting your fruits: Depending on your nutritional requirements, you can choose fruits that offer varying types of nourishment. Pineapple: Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxing Apples: Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon, prostate and lung) Mangoes: Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidant Bananas: Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy Papaya: High in fibre and minerals, it’s also an anti-oxidant. Oranges: Are full of Vitamin C, help in digestion and detoxing.

| WELLNESS

white rice, fried chicken, desserts and chocolates. I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictions,â&#x20AC;? she says. Apart from the Daily intake (Alternate fruits diet, Sonal also every day) took to a disciplined Breakfast: Two ripe bananas/ 1 mango/ exercise 1 serving of grapes regimen. Mid-day snack: Half apple/ bunch of grapes/ 1 â&#x20AC;&#x153;I did orange/2 small guavas yoga and Lunch: Half apple/1 orange/ 1 mango/ spent 1 banana two hours Mid evening snack: 1 orange/ 1 guava/ working 1 banana/ 1 serving of grapes out in the Dinner: 1 slice of water melon/ papaya/ gym every carrots/ pineapple evening.â&#x20AC;? Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film. Believe it or not, she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan & Narresh bikini.

Disclaimer: Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing. Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme.

| beauty

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals, if not superiors,â&#x20AC;? says best-selling author, Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE

ave you seen my little girl? Lijin, show her the pictures of my girlfriend!” As the pictures of a feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archer’s buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark – the author’s constant companion on all his India tours – you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride. The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12. “I love girls. I’ve always wanted daughters, and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandson,” Lord Archer grumbles.

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment – Best Kept Secret – of his epic series, The Clifton Chronicles, Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself. This best-selling author is a feminist! “Indians are a very complicated race, but I’m absolutely fascinated by the women. I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me. We got talking and she

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment – Best Kept Secret – of his epic series, The Clifton Chronicles, Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself SCROLL

told me she couldn’t find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man, his parents disapproved. They wanted someone who could cook, clean and have babies! Frankly, I couldn’t understand why anyone would not be proud to be with her.” “If you’re a capable woman, why should you have to do the cooking? questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer. “My wife Mary doesn’t even | PEOPLE

know where the kitchen is! I am emancipated enough to understand this and I’m not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared. It’s a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom that’s been passed down,” thunders the writer. Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation, but can’t help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer, a scientist specialising in solar power conversion. “I realise it’s easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life. But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career. You won’t believe this, but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks later!” A consummate storyteller, Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style that his commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made to her father on his deathbed. “Her father smoked too much and was dying of cancer. He asked me to promise him only one thing. ‘No matter how big you become, you will never stop Mary from doing what she wants to’, and I’ve kept that promise all my life.”

| PEOPLE

And his advice to women looking for life partners? “I have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through. They can’t pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they? Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it. I treat women as equals, if not superiors,” says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers, “And my secret? I make them laugh!”

NOTCH LIT

WORD UP! Wondering what to read? Here’s a selection of some of the e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher: Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity, wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan, India’s most dreaded bandit. He thought they were important government officials, and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom. The hostages’ life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappan’s strange mix of cruelty and humanity. Gradually, the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each other’s concerns. Witty and poignant, the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions. | LIT

Publisher: Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi – little knowing that she would one day marry his son, Khalid. This transition from fan to family, led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi. He was an icon to the world, but for his family, he was a simple, caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food, flying kites with his children, and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai, as he did in the numerous awards that came his way. Five years ago, Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary father–in-law, as a gift to her family and millions of his fans.

| LIT

Publisher: Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts, who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening. But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear – until her body is discovered three days later. Through this narrative, journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the façade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met. If not directly, then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend.

| LIT

Publisher:Â Random House India Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy, Chanda Kochhar, Kishore Biyani, and Prakash Padukone, among others, sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters. Through their fearless approach to life, love, and overcoming obstacles, these icons from the world of business, arts, films, food, and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters.

| LIT

NOTCH TAROT

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

ate

estiny

Aries

Taurus

(March 21 - April 19)

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

| VARIETY

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

with

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio

(October 23 - November 21)

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

BACK

Aries

Taurus

onfucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling, but in rising every time we fall. It’s time you understand this as you, dear Taurus, are meant for greater things. You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid. So what if things don’t happen the way you planned? The world will not judge you. From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change. So make the most of it. Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow. Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports, management, hospitality and transport. Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses – it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative.

(April 20 - May 20)

eo Tolstoy once said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Dear Aries, this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment. It’s all about executing those little ideas that you’ve held to yourself for so long – once you do, abundance will flow effortlessly. Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore – the 15th to the 23rd indicates this. Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion. Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation. Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad.

t was once said that every experience in life that happens, happens for the best – as it were destined to happen. Well Gemini, you are dualistic by nature: there are times when you believe in destiny and times when you disbelieve it completely. This month you are required to first believe in yourself. You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully. In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge, power and timing. There is travel in your chart, which will open up a new avenue, during the latter part of the month. Do consider it seriously. Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills. Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month.

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Gemini

Taurus

Aries

(March 21 - April 19)

| VARIETY

Cancer

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

atience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child. Remember, being patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored. This month is all about paying attention to those finer points. From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details – this will help you attain appreciation and fame. Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up. Water is a great source of power, rejuvenation and inspiration for you. Artists, musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time. If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league. Professions like mining, public relations, hospitality, the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you.

ell Leo, your imaginative nature, practicality, courage and excellent leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you. This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space. Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Leo, you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month! Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th. Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account. Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested. However, this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education, finance, research, medicine and advertising. If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well.

hen we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” Paulo Coelho wrote these lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life, dear Virgo. You work best when you feel loved, treasured and supported. This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs, relationships, identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life. A new dawn is arriving and it’s time you basked in its glory. Professionals will increase their net worth. There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work, so feel free to explore this area. Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so. In business, stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery. Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way.

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Virgo

Leo

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

| VARIETY

here are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to. You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the confusion by asking various associates for advice. Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement. Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you and your future. From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients. You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings. Keep your paperwork up to date and don’t let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money. The best professions for you are in banking, chartered accountancy, the entertainment business, media and public relations.

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)

Scorpio

Sagittarius

ear Scorpio, you have an extremely strong personality and you are full of courage, pride, ambition, envy, great passion and the ability to dream. Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images, memories and lost hopes being fulfilled. This month it’s imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th. Don’t worry about the result – just act – the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful. Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them. Your job will entail travelling this month. Finally, don’t say no to any work that comes your way.

| VARIETY

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Scorpio

(October 23 - November 21)

agittarius, within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary, due to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shades’ and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be. However, to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both. This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire. All you have to do is to take-off – please don’t sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination! That simply won’t do! The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now. Change your attitude in order to gain altitude.

Aquarius

(January 20 - February 18)

ear Aquarius, you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space. You make plans and when they don’t happen the way you want them to, you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didn’t work out. This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally. You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly. Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you. I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet, but sometimes it pays to have a little faith.

| VARIETY

Pisces

(February 19 - March 20)

ou are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all. The fish that swim in opposite directions, as depicted in your sign, allow you not only to be imaginative, kind, and intuitive, but also whimsical, stubborn and erratic. It’s time you balanced all these attributes. This is a transformational month for you – from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skin’ and shine in a new one. So, let go of old thoughts, beliefs and baggage. Professionals in the field of marketing, merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market. Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial. A word of advice: abstain from any form of gambling or speculation. There is imminent loss predicted in these areas.

Pisces

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

t’s strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn, you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture. Your practical side says otherwise but your intuition may win the day. From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses. Professionals in the field of media, the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed. The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity. Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth.

Capricorn

STOCKLIST

Avinash Gowariker www.avinashg.com HarperCollins Publishers India A 53, Sector 57 Noida, Uttar Pradesh T: +91 120 4044800 Jeffrey Archer www.jeffreyarcher.co.uk Karol Bagh Saree House www.kbshonline.com Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd. 11, Community Centre, Panchsheel Park New Delhi- 110017 T: +91 11 26494401/02/05/07 Random House Publishers India Pvt. Ltd. Windsor IT Park, 7th Floor Tower– B, A– 1, Sector– 125 Noida– 201301, Uttar Pradesh T: +91 120 4607500 F: +91 120 4607518 E: contact@randomhouse.co.in Ritu Beri 22A, Ashoka Avenue Sainik Farms, INA colony, Delhi- 110068 T: +91-11-29551751 E: www.rituberi.com Shehla Khan Shop No 3A, Suleman Chambers, Ground Floor, Battery Street, Colaba, Mumbai – 400005 T: +91-22-22876600 Shahnaz Husain www.shahnaz.in Vikas Khanna www.vkhanna.com Westland Books Venkat Towers Old No. 307 (New No.165) P.H. Road, Maduravoyal Chennai-600095