JUN‘13 . Vol 1 . Issue 9
TM
INDIAN VOICE GLOBAL ACCENT
Credits
TEAM CREDITS EDITORIAL
DESIGN
Yagna Balaji Editor
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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
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Hema Sethuraman Director & Publisher Pradeep Dadha Chairman, NOTCH Media Pvt. Ltd. PRADEEP DADHA GROUP OF COMPANIES
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Of newsmakers and noisemakers
A standard shoot: Star, manager, stylist, hair stylist, make-up person, PR agency rep, photographer, assistants, production unit, unit hands, props, studio, camera crew, lights and sets. An Aamir Khan shoot: The star, a photographer. Natural light, no make-up, jeans and a tee and his inimitable range of expressions. That’s it! We say this just in case anyone is still wondering what sets this Khan apart. 25 years in the industry (40- if you count his acting debut at age 8), and he remains true to himself, his craft and his conscience. In his interview, Aamir talks with pride about celebrating 25 years in the same year that Indian cinema completes 100 years. The annual Cannes International Film Festival too is celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema. From invitees, jury members, brand ambassadors to trespassers, this year’s Cannes contingent from India was a colourful mix. The red carpet saw more sarees, lehengas, nose-rings and maang tikas than a Punjabi wedding, with both guests and gatecrashers turning up in large numbers. India is waking up to global recognition and we have no doubt that it’s a heady feeling for our desi entertainers to share carpet space with famous thespians. Sure, our Cannes special feature separates the wheat from the chaff, but we doff our collective hats to the sheer effort Bollywood ho-hums made for their 15 seconds of flashbulbs in the French Riviera. Our take-home from the entire brouhaha is that if you believe in yourself, make some noise because, as author John Ortberg says, “We’d like to be humble, but what if no one notices?”
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MANISH MALHOTRA On dressing B-Town beauties
SONG OF THE SARONG Resortwear for a stylish vacation GO PSYCHEDELIC With neon footwear
people
fashion
contents
MR PERFECTIONIST Aamir Khan talks about his silver innings
CARLOS SANTANA Gets high on India
cinema
SHRUTI HAASAN Reveals her favourite style icons
RANBIR KAPOOR Dribbling along life’s playground
TURNING EASTWARDS Michael Andrews settles the score
WENDELL RODRICKS Comes clean in The Green Room
THE NONCONFORMIST Richa Chaddha steers clear of cliches
CANNES SPECIAL Catch all the action on and off the red carpet
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food
contents AN EXOTIC MIX John Abraham shares his fave vegan recipe
SWEET EMOTION Two-die-for French desserts
wellness
BOYZONE What the dudes just ordered
GET GORGEOUS With Isha Koppikar’s beauty tips
DATE WITH DESTINY Sheetal Dewan predicts
BULK ORDER Hrithik Roshan’s trainer reveals the actor’s fitness mantra
travel
TROPICAL DELIGHT Eat, drink and wear the mango
RIDE THE WAVES Everyone’s surfing in India
Notch Lit In our digital library
WANDERLUST Priyanka Chopra’s holiday hotspots
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fashion
He has dressed the best of Hollywood and Bollywood. Manish Malhotra shares his look book for the leading ladies of tinsel town Asmita Aggarwal
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fashion
I
t was in the nineties when a young Manish Malhotra realised that if he wanted to make a transition from modelling to designing he had to have the resources to launch his own line. Not only that, it would also mean competing with well-established stalwarts like Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Bal and Abu-Sandeep. Manish took the road less travelled – he decided to start costume designing for films, something none of the other designers had done. Today 1,000 films and 23 years later Manish says it has been a journey well travelled, with many milestones achieved. There is no other designer who works with almost all the top leading ladies – Katrina
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Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Sonam Kapoor to Deepika Padukone and even Alia Bhatt without anyone telling him not to work with the other. Manish is converting a vintage haveli in Mehrauli into the biggest ever designer showroom in India. He has met and dressed Michael Jackson and Hollywood celebrities like Demi Moore, Kylie Minogue, Kate Moss and Reese Witherspoon. He is launching his nephew Puneet Malhotra and is finally getting accepted by couturiers as a true trailblazer especially for his efforts in
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fashion contemporising and reviving the forgotten crafts – Chikankari, Phulkari and Kashmiri embroidery. “I try to keep away from politics and I never get into gossip sessions. I wake up early in the morning to start work – designing for films, weddings, red carpet events, finalising two stores in Delhi and in Mumbai and trying to get three more going by the end of this year,” he says. For Manish, the biggest thing is sustainability, to be able to survive in an industry where many of his contemporaries have fallen by the wayside.
Rangeela starring Urmila Matondkar may have been the turning point in Manish’s career when Filmfare, for the first time, recognised a designer for his contribution to film costumes, but it was in 1989 that the Mumbai boy started his career in films with a costume designed for Juhi Chawla for a song in Swarg. “Ritu Kumar may have restored the Kareena’s wedding outfit, but she wore my creation for the Walima (marriage banquet). I prefer to do my work quietly. Karishma and Kareena, both enjoy my fits and trust me implicitly. I’ve been close to the girls for over 20 years now and our friendship has survived the test of time,” he adds. Manish feels that Kareena wears her clothes with great panache. “She was the coolest bride ever – no tantrums, no cold feet,
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she knows what looks good on her, and let me decide colours, cuts and fabrics for the D-Day. I feel my biggest achievement is that I can win people’s trust,” he smiles. And talking about trust Manish says he shares a special bond with Karan Johar as “I started working with Dharma Productions, even before he was in the fray, with his father Yash Johar. I value his friendship.” Amongst the younger lot, Manish is delighted about working with Ranbir and Deepika Padukone in Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, where he has dressed both stars. “They meet after eight years and the chemistry is
captured on screen. The movie also showcase a lot of hiking gear as they go on these picturesque treks, but Deepika has such a phenomenal body that everything looks amazing on her. The sangeet sequence has some fun Indian wear, the colours are brighter – I particularly liked the mulmul ghagra (long skirt made of muslin) I gave her with oxidised jewellery as well as the indigo blue sari that makes a great first impression,” he admits Moving beyond the Bollywood tag, retailing from Pernia’s pop up shop or dressing royalty in Riyadh, Manish has come into his own in the last three years, by collaborating with Mijwan, Shabana Azmi’s NGO and by giving old crafts a modern appeal and thus a new lease of life. “I’ve launched my nephew Puneet. I urged him to work with Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor in I Hate Luv Storys. And I am working with Kareena and Imran in Gori Tere Pyar Mein. So it feels good to keep the family together and see Puneet grow,” he smiles. Hard work and single-mindedness have got Manish where he is today. “I simplified fashion, made it real, believable, now what film stars wear becomes a rage. In the end it is the trust factor that counts – money, fame and power are all transient,” he concludes.
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fashion
Kareena Kapoor
Manish Malhotra and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Katrina Kaif
Karishma Kapoor and Manish Malhotra Manish Malhotra and Priyanka Chopra
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fashion
neon blast Vivacious pinks, electric greens, spikes, studs and more. Here are some quick tips on how to make your outfit pop with colored footwear
Wear them -Bright neon shoes with a crisp white dress -Nude coloured shoes with spikes in shades of neon -Add one piece of statement accessory to your entire outfit -Add a little bit of silver or gold to your outfit. Just make sure the neon in your shoe is present somewhere in your outfit -Try neon shoes with a colour blocking outfit. Just make sure there aren’t too many colours in your entire outfit!
Bold choice If you really have got the attitude then team it up with a contrasting number. If you have a bold sense of style you can even team it with a print. Else the safer options remain a short white dress or a nude jumpsuit. At the end of the day you have to be comfortable and confident about what you are wearing.
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fashion
Haute colours
Acid orange Parrot green Crazy hot fuchsia pink Electric blue Ultra violet Sulphur yellow
Pair them
Pair them in a way that they don’t look jarring. Neons give you an edge and attitude that’s yells confidence. Go a little easy on other accessories so that you do not look over-the-top. Make sure there aren’t too many colours in your entire outfit. Let the shoes be the center of attention.
Jazz it up
Neon buttons, different pop coloured spikes on the shoes itself. Apart from shoes in shades of neon fuchsia pink and parrot greenspikes on beige shoes are in vogue
Inputs from: Shruti Kaul Sachdev of Trushuli
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Images: Rajdeep Ranawat
fashion
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t’s that time of year when most of us are getting ready to take a cool holiday so, if the sun and sand is what finds favour with you we have some snappy tips to make this a stylish vacation. Resort wear is all about summery, relaxed clothing with a sensuous touch, says Kuwait-based fashion guru Pria Kataria Puri. “You can add a lot of sexiness to resort wear with semi-fluid, sheer fabrics that skim the body. Opt for crush-free, breezy fabrics like silk, lycra-silk, chiffonsilk, crepe and luxurious cottons. I would suggest a halter maxi in chiffon, rompers, halter maxis, halter jumpsuits – all of
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which are super fun. Skimpy tunics, halter or cut-out dresses and tunic blouses always work well on the beach,” she adds. The destinations that have inspired Pria’s newest resort wear line include Ibiza, Lake Como and Tahoe, Istanbul, Goa, Nice and Cannes. “I always carry lots of kaftans and kaftan blouses, shorts, bikinis, a cool pair of sunglasses, espadrilles, wedges and sun hats,” she smiles. Pria’s line is Indian woman-friendly as her kaftan-inspired maxis and tunic blouses are a free size and flatter women of all
sizes. They also come in vibrant colours making them ideal for lunch parties as well as cocktail dinners. “I wanted to create a happy mood, so I have worked with vibrant colours such as neons, hot pinks, sea greens, sunshine yellows, bright reds, tangerines, fuchsias and turquoises – the styles all drape and skim over the body,” she says. “Take clothes that are multi-functional and can be worn through the day,” she adds. No look is complete without accessories – trendy sunglasses, stacked bangles, cuffs or feathered earrings work best with hippie and crossover bags. june 2013
fashion
Resort wear designers keep it cool with style tips for your beach holiday Asmita Aggarwal
Designer Rajdeep Ranawat makes it a point to travel to a minimum of two destinations each year. In the past, Langkawi was inspiring and then there was Paris, Milan, London, and recently his trip to Greece resulted in the Santorini collection for Spring Summer ‘13. Rajdeep also developed his Autumn Winter ‘13 range – Quixotic Regalia that took its inspiration from Greek architecture as well as jewellery and paintings from the Renaissance era. “Pack your bags keeping a resort in mind – somewhere tropical, a beach or then even a lovely landscaped spa on top of a mountain. Your clothes should be comjune 2013
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fortable, not too fitted, mainly breathable fabrics such as cottons and light silk blends that are organic in nature with colours/prints that could either be subdued or vivid depending on the kind of destination being visited. Carry a few pairs of slippers for the beach, or comfortable sandals and slipons for exploring the area, a big bag to carry essentials like towels or some hydrators,” he adds. Rajdeep tries to keep his silhouettes simple and generic so that they suit all shapes and sizes. “Our resort wear line has a lot of kaftans and wraps and some headgear too. There isn’t much of a market in India for swimwear, so while showcasing our resort ranges, we ideate the swimwear with cover ups as kaftans, ponchos and tunics,” he confesses. Rajdeep’s printed ponchos, drawstring tunics, shirts, stoles, cropped pants and skirts are comfortable yet trendy and he has put an element of fun into the shades he’s used that range from crèmes to canary, lime, red, blush, aqua with black and indigo. There are no hard and fast rules for resort dressing says Rajdeep. “Resorts are where you can have fun with your clothes,” he smiles. “We also do a lovely range of printed stoles and scarves that could be added to mix and match with plains. I have kept the look light by using voiles and lycra cotton twills. Neutral colours like white, ecru, crème, taupe, beige and pastels like mint, aqua, blush, pale yellow and peach are ideal. Nautical colours like indigo, red, etc., look great for cruise wear inspired by yesteryear sailor dressing,” he says.
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Shruti Haasan reveals what she likes about her fave international style gurus Asmita Aggarwal
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ymph-like Shruti Haasan, who is looking forward to playing diametrically opposite roles – an innocent girl in Prabhu Deva’s Ramaiya Vastavaiya and a commercial sex worker in Nikhil Advani’s D Day – tells us which international style gurus she loves and why...
Atsu Sekhose I like the way he plays with transparency and makes the most feminine, simple silhouettes look strong and classy. He wears his north-eastern identity quite lightly and creates the breeziest evening gowns that I love to wear.
Givenchy Who hasn’t seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Hubert de Givenchy was a maverick who made Audrey Hepburn the most iconic character in the 21st century. My personal favourites are his bib necklaces, tiaras, cowl neck sweaters and his luxe casual chic looks.
Alexander McQueen He was the enfant terrible of British fashion, he mixed hi-fashion with drama and technology and made it cutting edge. I loved his controversial Armadillo shoes inspired by Charles Darwin’s theory on the Origin of Species and admired his superb tailoring, his sense of aesthetics and his flamboyant flashes of inspiration.
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Balmain I like Pierre Balmain’s sensibility. Most of his red carpet couture is pleated and draped, contouring your body and accentuating its most flattering parts. I think Olivier Rousteing’s rock chic glamour really works for me!
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cinema
The Newsmakers THE
CANNES SPECIAL
T
he only true representation of Bollywood at the 66th Cannes Film Festival came in the form of the rising new Indian cinema brigade. While these films are as different from mainstream Bollywood as French cinema is from Hollywood, Bollywood has no qualms about basking in the reflected glory of these new kids on the block.
Amitabh Bachchan Amitabh Bachchan may have just made his Hollywood debut with The Great Gatsby, but his importance was not lost on the Festival’s organisers. With Bollywood in focus this year, it was Amitabh Bachchan who was called upon to officially inaugurate the event. The Big B went on to address the gathering in Hindi and left a strong impression as always.
Anurag Kashyap Anurag Kashyap, the poster boy of the movement, has mastered the demanding art of festival schmoozing. More importantly, he has backed it up with a slew of films that have wowed film critics from the West for their well, non-Bollywood (read Western) sensibilities. Following up on the well-received five-plus-hour Gangs Of Wasseypur presented as part of the Director’s Fortnight (noncompetition section) last year, Anurag’s hard-hitting Ugly created ripples this year with its gritty take on the subject of missing children. Anurag was also honoured with the prestigious Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of the Arts and Letters) this year. As the most prolific filmmaker and presenter of films at Cannes, Anurag is definitely emerging as the Harvey Weinstein of India.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui For an outsider, Nawazuddin Siddiqui would seem like the only actor in India. Much like Rahul Bose of the 90s, only with a zillion times more talent, Nawaz’s films have been invited to Cannes consistently. Last year, Nawaz was part of four of the six Indian films invited. With Bombay Talkies and Monsoon Shootout, Nawaz continued ruling the Indian presence at Cannes this year as well.
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cinema
RED CARPET REGULAR
Tannishta Chatterjee’s been to Cannes twice before – once for her UK release Brick Lane and another time for her Indo-German collaboration Shadows of Time Arpita Chatterjee
S
urprisingly, this year was the first time Tannishta was in Cannes to promote an Indian film, Monsoon Shootout. “It was really interesting to be representing an Indian contingent especially since this year the focus in Cannes was India and its100year-old industry,” she says. Tannishta, who has done a lot of international films, is quite dissatisfied with the films made in India. “I think we focus on the wrong things. Instead of focusing on the content of cinema, we pay more attention to publicity stunts and who’s wearing what. Mercifully, this trend is slowly changing. Monsoon Shootout developed by the British Arts Council has been co-produced by Anurag Kashyap – India’s well known screen writer and director,” she says. Tannishta, who is also a classically trained singer, has recently sung for the film Gulaab Gang. However, she feels that in India “films are made for the lowest common denominator – just for commercial purposes. Indian
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cinema was flying high once with Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen but we lost our status in the 1980s and 1990s. Today we are slowly regaining our standing as an art powerhouse. I hope this wave reaches its logical conclusion and puts Indian films back on top,” the actress says candidly. The red carpet for Tannishta is
Tannishtha Chatterjee Tannishtha is fast emerging as the female counterpart of Nawazuddin Siddiquion the new Indian cinema front. Her credentials include films like Brick Lane, Shadows of Time, Bibar, Anna Karenina and Dekh Indian Circus. This year, her film Monsoon Shootout was screened as part of the celebrations of 100 years of Indian cinema alongside Bombay Talkies.
“all part of the entertainment. And there is a strong element of art and aesthetics in fashion. I just have a problem with it becoming the highlight of a serious film festival like Cannes,’’ she declares adding that she wore “an outfit created by my Australian designer friend.”
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cinema
Gamechanger A champion of small, low-budget and off-beat subjects, Guneet Monga is trying to change the way Indian films are perceived across the world Tushar A Amin
T
he Hollywood Reporter ranked her among the most influential figures in international cinema and she was recently awarded with the Industry Leadership Award at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. Guneet has effectively emerged as the face of Indian cinema on the international stage (alongside Anurag Kashyap).
After being the woman behind films like Miss Lovely, Peddlers and Gangs Of Wasseypur that were invited at Cannes Film Festival in 2012, she had two films, Monsoon Shootout and The Lunchbox invited for this year’s event. The poster girl of Indian independent cinema – Guneet Monga has been instrumental in ensuring that Indian films are no longer equated with just song and dance numbers. She says, “Indian cinema has come a long way. From actually talking about content being king, we have now started practicing it. Yes, there is a perception of Indian cinema being only song and dance, and I believe there is space for this genre to coexist. I think we need to learn to hard sell our films, to be open to the idea of exploring newer avenues of distribution. Initially buyers would be like, ‘Oh you make Bollywood films’, a lot of time was spent explaining to them that while yes I do, the films I produce are made by great directors on quality stories and that the country of origin is not the definitive
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Guneet Monga
factor. Today, they understand this. So yes, it is a slow process, but not an impossible one.” Guneet adds, “All my films bring me pride. Peddlers by Vasan Bala and Haraamkhor by Shlok Sharma are films we collaboratively funded, then there’s Vakratunda Mahakaaya by Punar Vasu which is our first Marathi film, Monsoon Shootout by Amit Kumar and The Lunchbox by Ritesh Batra being the first international co-productions. We are also doing our first international project with the Oscar winning director Danis Tanovic directing it, that’s a first too.”
Anurag’s comrade-in-arms, Indie producer Guneet has emerged as a worthy lieutenant in the new Indian cinema movement. Last year she presented films like Miss Lovely (Un Certain Regard section) and Peddlers (International Critics’ Week) and this year, two of her films Monsoon Shootout and The Lunchbox were invited. Her consistent presence at the Festival further consolidates her ranking among the most powerful women filmmakers in the world (as listed by The Hollywood Reporter recently).
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cinema
FLIGHT OF FANTASY
Vikramaditya Motwane, director of Udaan that had its world premiere in Cannes in 2010, talks to us about what this Holy Grail for filmmakers is all about Arpita Chatterjee
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hen I was at the Cannes Festival in 2010 the world was really confused about what kind of films they wanted to see from India – commercial or arthouse? And they were surprised to see that the films from our country were a mix of the two. Since then we have moved forward. Today, distributors are interested in buying our films in the marketplace in Cannes, which is great news. ”Vikramaditya says, “We must write good original stories, keep growing as an industry, keep improving our craft. As long as films like Ship of Theseus, Peddlers and Miss Lovely are getting made, we are moving in the right direction. We are getting funding for movies that are far-removed from the mainstream and that is really good news.”
wracking experience. You feel like you have your balls in your mouth!” So what did he feel when he heard his film was selected? “I remember thinking, ‘Oh crap my film is not even ready!’ It was a crazy completing the final film before I left for Cannes. It was only when I landed in Cannes and the official car came to pick me up that it all sunk in. But my
The director feels that a ‘big Cannes moment’ is when “you show your film to a thousand people for the first time at a place where people are watching the world’s best films.’’ Says Vikramaditya candidly, “It’s a really nerve
So, after all this, why make a film like Lootera next? Says the director, “It’s a story I really wanted to tell and the film needed presentation and a large budget. So, I decided to use stars to tell a period love story.’’
Vikramaditya Motwane Vikramaditya Motwane delighted audiences and critics alike with his independent coming of age feature Udaan, which had its world premiere in Cannes in 2010.
proudest moment was when I saw my name on the official screening board alongside Woody Allen’s and Pedro Almodovar’s!”
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cinema
The
Fakers M
ainstream Bollywood has always been more of a gate-crasher at the Cannes Film Festival – the fact that this global event is celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema is really neither here nor there. The Festival and its coveted Palme d’Or may be the Holy Grail for filmmakers across the world, but the bevy of Bollywood stars could well make a layperson believe that
When it comes to all play and no work, you have to hand it to Mallika Sherawat. This sassy girl makes up for what she lacks in acting mettle with her social skills (and other assets). She may not be seen in an acting role in a film but that does not stop Mallika from being a permanent fixture on the Cannes red carpet and yacht parties. Since her first appearance at the Festival in 2005 alongside Jackie Chan to present The Myth, Mallika has gone from strength to strength. The ‘Cannes do’ attitude of this most experienced Cannes red carpet (rivalled only by Aishwarya Rai in this department) veteran is evident from the fact that she even screened Hisss at the Festival. She deserves a Palme d’Or just for her persistence and courage.
SPECIAL
Ameesha Patel Ameesha Patel may have had her troubles with Bollywood but she is not one to give up, yet. When work stopped coming her way, she launched a production house. And she displayed the same initiative with her presence at Cannes this year for the screening of Shortcut Romeo.
Jacqueline Fernandez
Minissha Lamba
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CANNES
it is in fact, Cannes Fashion Week. The red carpet sees Bollywood’s parade of pretenders and wannabes provide the Festival with exotic glamour. Back home, these ‘stars’ get mileage in the gossip columns, their fashion sense becoming the talking point rather than their work. But no one is complaining. After all, it’s a win-win for everyone – the stars and the desi media.
Mallika Sherawat
This petite actress who made a promising debut with Yahaan and promptly went on to break all those promises was actually invited to Cannes by the legendary filmmaker Woody Allen in 2011. Where the twain met, we would never know but she sure made the most of the invitation by attending gala dinners, after-parties and the screening of the Oscar winning Midnight In Paris.
THE
Sherlyn Chopra
If Mallika is there, can Sherlyn be far behind? After the much talked about Playboy photo-shoot, Sherlyn Chopra graced the Film Festivals’ holy of holies this year to unveil the trailer of her forthcoming film, Kamasutra 3D. Usually in the news for not wearing many clothes, Sherlyn went to town with her plans to wear seven ‘outfits’ representing seven different states of India – one for each day of the week-long event.
“I was in the area, so I thought I would just drop by.” That’s the story with Jacqueline’s Cannes appearance this year. She was invited to attend the Monaco Grand Prix, and since Cannes is just half-an-hour’s drive away, Jacqueline decided to make an appearance and show her solidarity for Bollywood. She sure knows the value of a photo-op!
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cinema
Judge andJury
THE
CANNES SPECIAL
Vidya Balan She is the female superstar of Bollywood, and her work got international endorsement when Vidya Balan was invited to be a jury member at Cannes this year. As usual, her clothes made more news than her work but we believe that Vidya truly deserved the honour and that this is just the beginning for this gutsy performer. Vidya says, “When I saw Mr Bachchan on stage, I choked. I grew up watching Amitabh Bachchan’s films. My niece and nephew are just about two years old and they know who Amitabh Bachchan is. Indian cinema and Amitabh Bachchan are synonymous with each other. And when he spoke in Hindi, it was just such a proud moment. Personally, for me to have shared the stage with him and on an international platform where the talk is about India celebrating 100 glorious years, it felt really special. These are the times when you have to pinch yourself and say ‘Oh my god, this is for real.’”
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Nandita Das Activist, filmmaker, actress Nandita Das has been a quiet presence in Cannes for some years. Having been on the Palme d’Or jury in 2005, this time around, she was on the jury for the short films section. Here is one actress who prefers to stay under the radar rather than flaunting her laurels.
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cinema
100 Years Of
Neecha Nagar, 1946 The only Indian film to ever win the most coveted award in the film world, this Chetan Anand film was based on Maxim Gorky’s short story, depicting the rich-poor divide.
Indian
Cinema
And Cannes
Amar Bhoopali, 1951 V. Shantaram’s biopic on the life of Marathi poet/musician Honaji Bala was nominated for the Grand Prix but managed to win the Excellence in Sound Recording honours instead.
Here is a look at the films that actually made a mark on the Cannes canvas over the years
THE
CANNES SPECIAL
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Do Bigha Zameen, 1954 Bimal Roy’s neorealist drama revolving around the struggles of a farmer in debt to a landlord was awarded the Prix Internationale at the 1954 Festival.
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cinema
Pather Panchali, 1955 Satyajit Ray was awarded the Palme d’Or for the Best Human Document for the first in the Apu trilogy in 1955.
Kharji, 1982 Mrinal Sen’s sensitive drama was awarded the Special Jury Prize in 1983.
Salaam Bombay, 1988 Mira Nair’s debut film won the Camera d’Or and the Audience award at the 1988 Festival.
Marana Simhasanam, 1999 Murali Nair’s Malayalam film was honoured with the Camera d’Or at the 1999 Festival.
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june 2013
cinema THE
CANNES SPECIAL
Fashionistas They make news by simply being seen. These actors have aced the art of bringing beauty to the red carpet. Here’s a lowdown on how India’s fashion-forward stars fared at the 2013 edition of Cannes
Outfit by Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla
Gown by Elie Saab
Zach Posen skirt, Saint Laurent shirt, Armani belt, Casedei shoes
Aishwarya Rai In her 12th year at the festival, Aishwarya Rai is one of the most recognisable Indian faces at Cannes. Her sartorial fashion sense has been Ash’s Achilles heel, but this year she won over critics with her surprise guest - daughter Aaradhya.
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cinema
Frieda Pinto A red carpet favorite with her international fashion choices, Freida Pinto is the one to watch out for. This year, she picked a desi designer – Sanchita Ajjampur’s melting metallic vintage creation and in her own words the response was “rocking”
Gown by Gucci
Gild web gown designed by Sanchita Ajjampur
Lace Lehenga by Shehla Khan
Anamika Khanna ensemble
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Dolce & Gabbana evening gown
Sonam Kapoor She takes her fashionista tag so seriously, that Sonam likens her red carpet sojourn to the most important day of her life! “Every time I go onto the red carpet I feel like I am getting married,’’ says Sonam showcasing a trousseau style wardrobe at Cannes
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Images: Yogen
people
aths, p w e n f scared o f taking t o n m a “I red o a c s I m nor a ir Khan m a A s y a s risks,� s Singh Dia nd Noel Shabbir
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Ali a
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p eople
H
e is the ultimate contrarian. In a world where quantity trumps quality and all publicity is good publicity, Aamir Khan chooses to march to the beat of his own drum. Reclusive, choosy, stubborn, difficult… Despite all the connotations implied by those words in a politically correct industry, Aamir has time and again proved that success does not need sycophancy. His work speaks for him, both as an actor and as a person. And it is this illustrious oeuvre that is being celebrated in a year in which Aamir also earned a mention among the prestigious TIME magazine’s list 100 most influential people in the world. And while the byte-starved media has unleashed a frenzy to celebrate Aamir Khan’s ‘silver jubilee’ in Bollywood, this is only the 25th year of his first commercial success, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. His actual acting debut was in his uncle Nasir Hussein’s Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) when Aamir was just 8-years old. In effect, this is Aamir’s 40th year in Bollywood. Aamir made his adult debut in Ketan Mehta’s critically acclaimed Holi (1984). This is where Aamir cut his acting teeth alongside Ashutosh Gowariker, beginning a friendship that would culminate in the form of Oscar nominated Lagaan (2001). Betting on a script that others had turned down, Aamir not only agreed to act in, but also produce Gowariker’s Lagaan. Aamir’s conviction and hard work paid off when Lagaan emerged as the biggest Bollywood film in decades, before going on to win an Academy Award nomination in the Best Foreign Language film category. Thereafter, Aamir evolved into a strategic thinker, working
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on just one film at a time and giving that film everything he has. Today, Aamir is a one-man conscience keeper army of Bollywood. The presence of Aamir Khan in a film has become synonymous with entertaining-yet-intelligent cinema. In an era when silver jubilee is a forgotten word, here is a man whose legacy will continue to influence us even if he were to hang up his shoes and retire to his dream destination – Coorg, at this very moment. That is not superstardom. This is virtual immortality. And if anyone in contemporary Bollywood deserves that, it is Aamir Khan.
This year marks 25 years since your first movie... I have no clue how 25 years went by. It feels like I joined just yesterday. When I first came into the industry, I wondered if I’d be
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people
successful. They say an actor’s lifecycle is five years. Then various factors affect his career — either the audience gets bored, or competition kills his career aspirations. But somehow I have survived all this and here I am… celebrating 25 years in the same year that Indian cinema completes 100 years! I would like to thank the directors and everyone who helped me make this journey. Some names I would especially like to mention are Nasir and Mansoor Sahib, who directed my first film. As well as all those technicians, music directors, co-actors and most importantly, the audience that tolerated me and gave me unconditional love and affection. I would also like to remember my family who helped me be a part of this industry.
You had a golden debut.
When I joined the industry I never knew how well known I would become. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak made me a star overnight. Then I had a spate of three or four unsuccessful movies. These were movies I wasn’t supposed to do, but I learnt from the mistakes and moved on. Ever since then, I made up my mind that I wouldn’t do a film for money, success, fame or because it was a big banner. Only if I felt for the movie, would I be part of it — and I have stuck to this method. If a script doesn’t touch my heart, I don’t do it.
What was your first day at a shoot like?
My first day at a shoot was in Ooty with Mansoor (Khan). As the first take finished it began to get foggy. We thought the fog would lift in an hour or so, but it stayed for eight hours and we all thought this was a sign. People can be superstitious but it really doesn’t matter if you have a bad start because you can always work towards the future if you believe in yourself.
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Is working alone a challenge?
When you are alone, there is nothing to be scared of. When I started working people assumed that I wouldn’t be able to stick around for too long. They thought I was choosing films foolishly, but I walk the path that I feel is right. I am not scared of new paths, nor am I scared of taking risks. If one has truth and courage by his or her side, he or she will win in the end.
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Are there any films you regret choosing?
I have no such regrets. Some of my films were unsuccessful at the box office, but whatever I am today I learnt from all those films. I give my failures as much credit as I do my successes.
What would you say are two of your integral qualities?
I have two qualities that are good and bad at the same time. One of them is a passion to accomplish tasks. The other is my stubbornness which gives me a lot of energy. When someone tells me not to do a particular film, I do it on purpose.
How are your relations with the media? You are often seen playing hide and seek with them.
Currently, I have a very good relationship with the media. There was a point in my career when the media would write many untrue things about me and I would be very hurt. I am a very emotional creature. When I didn’t interact with the media, they assumed things and wrote about them. When I was quiet, they would assume I was fighting. In Taare Zameen Par, my character asks Dr Shetty what do children need the most — security, dignity, faith or love? If the first three things don’t exist, there is no point in love. I realised that this also holds true for people and thought about all my soured relationships — media included — with this in mind and our relationship automatically got better.
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What do you think about Bombay Talkies, the tribute movie?
It made me glad and sad that I couldn’t make such a film. It’s good to see such talent.
On the personal front, do you plan to get into politics? (Firmly) I have no such plans.
And your favourite films?
Pyaasa, Mother India, Mughal-e-Azam and Garam Hawa to name a few.
Name a legendary actress whom you admire
Without doubt it has to be the one and only, Madhubala. Just one smile from her and that was it – you were floored!
Who are your favourite actors?
Dilip Kumarji. He is one of the best. I regret that I haven’t had a chance to work with him yet.
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c ine m a
Richa Chaddha talks about why she gave up theatre for films, not wanting to be typecast and how Mira Nair inspires her Asmita Aggarwal
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c ine m a
R
icha Chaddha is nothing like the Dolly of Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! She is well spoken, has a great sense of humour, likes designer gowns and is lots of fun! After all, she comes from an academic family, with a mother who teaches in Delhi University. Richa herself started out in theatre – maybe that’s why she is now known for her unconventional choice of roles like Nagma in Gangs of Wasseypur. Richa is now gearing up for the Farhan Akhtar-produced film Fukrey. “It is a light-hearted comedy, something I have never done before. I am used to dark, edgy roles so when I got Fukrey I was overjoyed, as I play the antagonist. Great acting skills are all about taking the road less travelled. I am young so I have nothing to lose,” she says.
Richa plays Geeta Arora aka Sonu Panjaban – a criminal who rose to the top of the ladder in her early 20s in UP and Bihar, by trafficking well-groomed college girls and paying them exceedingly well. “I was surprised to see how well turned out she was in real life. She was married to Vijay, a small time gangster whom she loved, but I was surprised to discover that she had many lovers and was a mother too! I liked the character so when I was
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offered the role I agreed almost immediately,” Richa says. Unlike most stars Richa had it quite easy. She was spotted by Dibanker Banerjee, while she was doing a play for Barry John. “I wanted to reach a wider audience as I believe only a few people have access to theatre and films have mass appeal. I have to thank Barry John who taught me all I know. I found my own voice quite early in my career because of him,” she says. Interestingly, when people meet Richa they speak to her in Hindi thinking she is really like Dolly in real life, so when she answers back in chaste English, they are quite taken aback. “People tend to typecast you in the industry – they think I am one of those actresses who can’t talk to save her life and that’s perhaps why I play such characters with ease,” she laughs. “There are two kinds of people – one who are performers like me, and others who like to be behind the camera,” Richa explains. Perhaps it was this fire in her belly that got her a
role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram Leela, when Kareena Kapoor walked out of this Romeo and Juliet remake. “I am doing quite an offbeat role in the film which was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As a newcomer I learnt so much from Sanjay Bhansali – everyday with him was like attending an acting workshop,” she confesses. Tired of playing negative characters, Richa made up her mind that in 2013 she would like a change of image – so taking a 180 degree turn was mandatory. “I enjoyed working with Mira Nair. I did a small film called God Room, co-written by Zoya Akhtar. Mira is a real artiste. She doesn’t write novels, but manages to understand their essence and frames them in a language everyone can understand. God Room is a short film that deals with gender politics, caste, beauty and the young and old. It was a riveting experience to interact with Mira and extremely exciting to observe her thought process,” she concludes.
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cinema
Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor opens up on Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, his ex-flame Deepika Padukone and his love for football Asmita Aggarwal
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hen the Bollywood dreamboat shot the first scene for Abhinav Kashyap’s Besharam in which he steals a car, it was the thrill of sharing screen space with his parents that excited him! That there was a stampede outside an apartment in Delhi with fans screaming, “I love you Ranbir,” didn’t seem to matter. “It was fun being in the frame with my parents for the first time in my career,” he says. Today, Ranbir is looking forward to acting in Ayan Mukerji’s film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani which also stars his ex-flame Deepika Padukone along with Kalki Koechlin and Aditya Roy Kapur. “This is my second film with Ayan – the first being Wake up Sid – who is a good friend,” he says. Interestingly, it is after a gap of five years that Ranbir and Deepika are sharing screen space, and with the RK tattoo intact on the nape of her neck, the Kapoor son has only good things to say about his co-star. “She is a fine actress whom I last worked with in Bachna Ae Hasenoo in 2008,” he says with a smile.
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cinema
Ranbir played the chivalrous ex-lover when Deepika was reduced to tears at a press meet to promote Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani...
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In a world of brittle relationships, fame and money, the Ranbir-Deepika love story turned sour after two years in the limelight. The ugly break up, his alleged affair with Katrina Kaif and accusations of repeated cheating took their toll. Deepika’s revelations on the Karan Johar show didn’t help things either – “He is a great person but he needs to work on his boyfriend skills. I do forgive, but when it becomes a habit…” Despite the unpleasantness, Ranbir played the chivalrous ex-lover when Deepika was reduced to tears at a press meet to promote Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, where uncomfortable questions were asked about her still
intact RK tattoo. In true Bollywood style Ranbir admonished the media person for delving into “private and personal lives”. But then, that’s Ranbir for you, always standing up for his friends, like he did for Sanjay Dutt. “I vouch for Sanjay Dutt as a human being, what has happened is very sad. Sanjay is a wonderful, generous and good-hearted man. He has suffered enough. This blow has come just when he was getting back on his feet.” The same innate decency was at play when Ranbir got a chance to show some of his skills on the football field where he struck a chord with his teammates – street kids for the NGO
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cinema
Ranbir carries a football with him when he travels for whenever he gets an opportunity to play
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Magic Bus. Ranbir was the vice-captain of the All Stars Football Club (ASFC) that competed against the All Hearts Football Club (AHFC), brimming with Indian cricketing stars in a charity match for Magic Bus at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in March. “The game plan was just to have fun and the cause was a noble one,’’ says Ranbir who has been an avid football player since his school days. “Once my career started I got busy and forgot all about football but ASFC has changed all that. I think it is important to play some form of sport, it teaches you a lot – discipline and to work as a team,” he adds.
Ranbir says that he carries a football with him when he travels and he gets an opportunity to play with ASFC every week. “We are trying to rope in the English Premier League football team to play a match here and also in Kolkata. Pepsi is also trying to get football players in from Spain and England. However, we don’t have a decent football ground in Mumbai, which is shameful. We must try and create a proper sports infrastructure only then can we create sports stars at the school level,” he adds. With no heroines participating in the game as yet, Ranbir laments, “My game would be better if there were actresses playing!” Any takers?
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insider travel
Bollywood is reeling under déjà vu. We’ve got movies resembling other movies; songs sounding like we’ve heard them before. So why should it be any different when it comes to the actresses? Here’s our pick of the top female doppelgangers in B-Town today. TER OUL SIS
HEY S
Blessed with delicate porcelain features, Evelyn Sharma and Dia Mirza are virtually indistinguishable. For Evelyn’s sake, we hope the similarity ends there as Dia’s career has been on a southbound trajectory for a long time now
BOO BE
OP
TTY BO
Actress Riya Vij had pinned all her hopes on Gippi, an Ugly Bettyesque indie feature. Sadly, the only thing that came of age was her resemblance to Boney and Sridevi Kapoor’s youngest daughter Khushi. Well, some publicity is better than none, isn’t it?
S R CHOP
THEI RNING
EA
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Priyanka Chopra is sweating it out at the gym to play Mary Kom. And her sur-namesake Sherlyn is sweating it out under the sheets to reintroduce western audiences to the Kamasutra. That apart, Sherlyn’s working hard to replicate PC’s look. Until the latter finds a new look.
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people
Forever a child of the sixties, guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana finds India to be “spiritually evolved with a lot of kindness� Rohit Panikker
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p eople
C
arlos Santana has always cut his own path. You could say that it began from his debut at Woodstock ‘69 with a free form jam band that christened itself after his second name. The group introduced
n’ roll before!) It was the first time a completely new band managed to pull off something of this sort with no history, no record deal or even a single on the radio … and that too with a Mexican frontman who went on stage and played his guitar like a Native American shaman in trance! Cut to the present and the scene remains the same. Santana’s still treading his own path. With a musical repertoire of almost 36 albums to his name, his last studio release Shape Shifter was primarily a guitar-driven instrumental album where he strayed away from his well-received format of collaborating with other talents on vocal duties – like Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, Jennifer Lopez, Dave Matthews or Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty (with whom he wrote the Grammy-winning single Smooth). In October last year, the guitar wizard and the patriarch of a genre we refer loosely to as ‘world music’ performed live in India for the first time in a career that’s been running for over four decades. “I am honoured and grateful to have had performed in Bangalore and Delhi. If you’ve have ever visited the zoo at the time the lion is being fed, he always roars louder for more. It was the same effect I had while performing live for my Indian fans,” he says of the experience.
Latin-infused rock, jazz, blues, salsa, and African rhythms to the halfmillion people that attended the free concert, and was quickly lapped up by an international audience, garnering critical acclaim (no one had even heard of using timbales and congos in rock
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A disciple of the Bengali-American spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy, Santana was also given the name Devadip (the lamp, light and eye of God) by his guru. And although it took him this long to perform in India, it definitely didn’t take his music too long to get here. His beats and riffs have been inspiring Bollywood songs, from the Afro rhythms of Jingo to the bass line of Maria Maria. Here, he talks about his impressions of his time in India, why he loves collaborating with other musicians, the whole idea of fusion music and what he thinks plagues the music industry today.
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people
“I call ‘fusion music’ the spice of life. I love African music and the Afro beats. I love this spicy music, just as I love spicy food and women!”
Indian Textures concert “It was my maiden I had visited in India, although spiritually evolved before. India is a t of kindness. country with a lo y and textures The visual imager essions when were my first impr try earlier! This I’d visited the coun p gorging on time, I couldn’t sto in love with the Indian food. I fell kfast of masala south Indian brea go lassi was my dosa and the man favourite!”
The Sixties “This was the time we wanted an end to the Vietnam War. We belie ved that world peace could be possible , we believed in the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa. Humanity took a quantum leap in consciousness. We aspired to create this change. Unlike then, the youth of today have forgotten to ask questions. Question the authority.”
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The Spice Of Life e. ic’ the spice of lif “I call ‘fusion mus ic and the Afro I love African mus icy music, just as beats. I love this sp d women! At the I love spicy food an sing on working moment I am focu musicians. I want with Latin/Spanish te music with to be able to crea rsia, India, China, musicians from Pe with the brothers Kuala Lumpur ...
Attached All Strings Shape working on “When I was . It is ar it g to my gu Shifter, I san personal r fo album an ss le r o more much for ugh not so o th , n io ct colle people ough many the radio. Th ave moved h I out that d te in o p e hav entify to what they id away from und’, the so ‘Santana al ic p ty e th be bum was riting this al w f o ss ce pro artures. e and no dep m r fo l ra u nat for the the maître d I have been ame the ec b I w. Here, o n ll ti ls ca vo ent.” the instrum maître d for
Creative Bonds s ith other musician “Collaborating w d an e nc experie is a very gratifying l. They all ua ut m is the feeling music. It’s the want to share their llaboration and complementing co at makes it great. not competition th ed , no fear. I just ne I have no agenda ied tif en id ve ce you’ the right song. On t, ar he your it, you play with all ith this emotion W s. ar fe y without an es, the sound is and spiritual valu le.” always memorab
Plumbing Issues! “The problem with the music ‘industry’ today is that there is too much dependence on technology and less on singing. Th e focus has shifted to money, fame, zeros to the right on the cheque. In short, the technology is turning ou t plumbers disguised as musicians!”
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Music travel
Pretty Lights - A Colour Map Of The Sun
T
his month’s all about the independent releases! From your next-door garage band to a dreamy and ambient EDM album being put together in a modest studio set up, these musicians are known to walk off the beaten path and experiment with their music. With free handouts, online downloads or even modestly-priced physical copies going around, music, for these artistes, is all about being heard!
Adil & Vasundhara - Ampersand
What: Pretty Lights, the musical project of the electro soul hip-hop pioneer Derek Vincent Smith, will release a new studio album titled A Color Map of the Sun, in July. The album takes its title from the writings of Isaac Newton. Around The Block, the album’s first single an uplifting, soulful, hip-hop throwback about appreciating the best moments in life featuring Talib Kweli. Artistspeak: “By putting together different groups of musicians on a daily basis, different bands were formed with the purpose of playing styles from funk, soul and jazz, to folk, rock and classical. I searched for vocalists that could take my lyrics and put their own incredible soul and emotion into them. I made beats for some of my favorite rappers in exchange for the ability to chop up the lyrics they wrote. It was a laborious yet immensely gratifying experiment that I could not be more proud of.”– Derek Vincent Smith, Pretty Lights Label: Pretty Lights Music
What: Vasundhara Vidalur and Adil Manuel spearhead a collaborative outfit based out of New Delhi. Their musical spectrum spans Jazz Fusion, Funk, RnB, Blues & Gospel. Ampersand is their debut release and their sound has been showcased in every major music festival in the country. Artistspeak: “While looking for one single word that described what the album stood for, we realized that the album had become a lot more than Adil and Vasundhara. The songs were created over many jams with Saurabh Suman and Sava Boyadzhiev. Luminaries and friends like Louiz Banks, Ranjit Barot, Loy Mendonsa, Sanjay Divecha, Zubin Balaporia and Suchet Malhotra came on board and What: Chennai-based trio Skrat is out contributed. This is a mega project. This is a massive with their next adventure titled Bring Out The Big statement. This is an enormous step in the new wave of Guns. Featuring TT Sriram on guitars and lead vocals, independent music. Because for the first time, this is Tapass Naresh on the drums and Satish Narayanan on bass about ALL of us together” - Adil & Vasundhara guitar - both providing backup vocals - that provide a simple, raw, homegrown perspective to loud guitars, catchy hooks Label: Independent release and a whole lot of energy on and off stage! Check out the fun sing-along track Samurai Badass or the edgy Tin Can Man for a taste of Skrat.
Skrat - Bring Out The Big Guns
Artistspeak: “A debut album, several live gigs, a few hiatuses, personnel alterations and a partial reinvention later, Bring Out The Big Guns is a compilation of the band’s collective frustration.” – Sriram TT, vocalist Label: Independent release
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june 2013
people
“I had to take a completely fresh approach while doing music for this film,” says composer Michael Andrews on teaming up with Mira Nair for The Reluctant Fundamentalist Rohit Panikker
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M
usic composer Michael Andrews refers to himself as “the one whom filmmakers approach if they want to try something outside of convention”. Indeed, this American musician first shot to fame with his version of the Tears For Fears song Mad World, which he recorded for the soundtrack of the Jake Gyllenhaal starrer Donnie Darko. The movie went on to garner a cult following and Andrews set the standard for “unconventional” and experimental music. “The film was pretty low budget so my portion of the money was pretty thin. I couldn’t hire anyone, it was just me. I played
everything – piano, mellotron, mini marimba, xylophone, ukulele, organ,” he said about the making of the soundtrack. Since then, the composer has gone on to score music for a variety of feature projects such as Bridesmaids, Out Cold, Nothing, Cypher, Orange County, My Suicidal Sweetheart, a segment of Paris, je t’aime, Unaccompanied Minors and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. And now, he has teamed up with awardwinning director Mira Nair to score a near hour-long score for her recentlyreleased The Reluctant Fundamentalist. “I had to take a completely fresh
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p eople
Still from The Reluctant Fundamentalist
approach while doing music for this film,” explains the composer as he gets talking on his experience with the subcontinent and how he went about putting together the soundtrack to the tale of Mohsin Hamid’s protagonist, Changez. Mira Nair worked closely with Andrews and their combined efforts have effectively layered the film’s score with traditional Pakistani songs, Urdu poetry set to music, cutting-edge Pakistani pop, funk and rap. “I found the entire process very challenging. Mira had heard my work in Donnie Darko, liked it, and then got in touch with me to score music for The Reluctant Fundamentalist,” explains Andrews. “Post-production was difficult since we were working from two different continents. Finally, I travelled to Delhi and sat with her, sifting through the footage and trying to cut the soundtrack as we saw it best … and that from quite a lot of material we had already put together!” The soundtrack features an ensemble of sounds that Andrews has previously not worked much with. For example, it kicks off with Kangna, a Qawwali (a style of Sufi devotional music) sung by a family of 12 renowned Pakistani Qawwali singers, led by brothers Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammed. This is followed by Pakistani pop star Meesha Shafi’s Bijli Aaye Ya Na Aye. Amy Ray of the folk group Indigo Girls performs on Measure Of Me and there’s also Atif Aslam who sings Mori Araj Suno in Urdu. The composer explains that as the movie focuses on a blend of the old and new; its music succinctly reflects these themes and combines the traditional with the contemporary
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to create the perfect soundtrack for the film. “It was definitely an exploration. Mira bounced a volley of thematic information and ideas off me for over three weeks,” he explains. Still from The Reluctant
Perhaps the sights and sounds of the Fundamentalist Indian subcontinent helped inspire the composer, especially since he found the experience “magical”! On first
impressions, he says, “It was incredible! It was so much to take in! I managed to find the time to go around Old Delhi and I totally loved its narrow alleyways and markets. On my first morning in Delhi, I woke up to the sound of prayers from outside. I have no words to express that feeling except that it was magical. I want to come back to India again!” Andrews has also been straddling his solo work along with his film music. Last year he released Spilling A Rainbow, his second album, and one he calls a complete contrast from his film work. “My solo work is mostly a personal effort, inspired from my own experiences. Spilling A Rainbow comes from my experiences of being a father,” he shares as he goes on, “The main difference between scoring music for films and working on your own album is that an album is more personal. There is no time constraint when you’re making a record. But, on a film, you have the director who has the final say with what they want at the end of it.” june 2013
food
IN THE KITCHEN WITH
John Abraham shares his favourite vegan recipe with PETA activist Anuradha Sawhney for her new book
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odel, producer and Bollywood hunk John Abraham and I have known each other ever since we worked together for PETA. John and my husband share a love for cars and bikes. And while everyone knows that John is a fitness buff, not many know he is also a great cook. While sharing this recipe with me, John told me, “This stir fry is a tasty, healthy and very filling dish,” and he was so right! You can have this dish just by itself as a snack, or teamed with rice or homemade oat noodles. The recipe is a favourite of mine because it’s so easy to cook”. “I love all the vegetables used in it — broccoli, mushrooms, zucchini, bok choy… They are full of health-giving properties and taste delicious as well. I sometimes use yellow zucchini if I can find it, instead of the regular dark-green one, just for a change and I use almond flakes with their outer covering as the peel is full of fibre that is so good for you. Try making this recipe and I am sure you will make it again and again — just like I do!”
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food
EXOTIC VEGETABLES WITH ALMONDS A LA JOHN ABRAHAM (2-3 servings)
Method Wash all the vegetables. Cut the mushrooms into quarters. Ingredients Break or cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets. Do not peel the zucchini. Cut it into two pieces lengthMushrooms —1 packet (200 gms) wise and then cut it into one inch pieces. Broccoli — 1 head Break the bok choy into three pieces each. Zucchini —1 Peel the garlic and crush it lightly using a mortar and pestle. Bok choy — 3 to 4 leaves Blanch the almonds, till the skins are wrinkled. Peel and cut Garlic cloves — 6 to 8 them into fine slivers. You should have about one tablespoon of Slivered almonds — 1 tbsp slivered almonds. Oil — 1 tsp (optional) Put a non-stick pan over moderate heat and add the oil (optional). Light soy sauce — 2 to 3 tsp When hot, add the garlic and sauté for one minute. Freshly ground black pepper — to taste Add the mushrooms, broccoli and zucchini. Raise the heat to high, Salt — to taste stir well and cover the pan. Let the vegetables steam for about two to three minutes. The mushrooms will release water in which they will cook. Be careful not to overcook the vegetables. Open the pan and continue to cook, till the water starts to evaporate. Add the bok choy, almonds and soy sauce. Stir-fry for one minute. Remove from heat and add the pepper. Taste and add salt only if needed as the soy sauce is salty. Serve hot with steamed brown rice or homemade oat noodles. Excerpted from: The Vegan Kitchen Bollywood Style by Anuradha Sawhney (Westland Ltd)
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june 2013
f ood explore not one, but two tantalising French desserts – Paris Brest and Chocolate Fondue with Mango Milkshake. Our captain at the helm of this gastronomic voyage was Chef Fabien Berteau.
Chef Fabien Berteau brings you two fabulous French desserts – guaranteed to become instant hits at the dining table
The French
Bijoy Bharathan
Having honed his skills as a Pastry Chef for more than a decade in Paris, Fabien headed eastwards to Chennai. Ask him about the desserts he specially selected for NOTCH and he says, “Paris Brest is a signature dish from France and it’s one of my favourite sugar-coated indulgences. Although, it’s a little time-consuming to make, the result is worth the effort. I’ve always prided myself on being able to prepare this for my guests, friends and family. The dish has a wonderful history behind it as well.” And so it does. This delectable dessert made from choux pastry and praline-flavoured cream was created way back in 1891 in commemoration of the Paris-Brest bicycle race. The second dessert on Fabien’s menu for us is Chocolate Fondue and Mango Milk Shake. He confesses, “Chocolate fondue is an all-time classic. You don’t need a reason to have chocolate, do you? I decided to give this recipe a tropical, seasonal spin by coupling it with a mango milkshake. Everyone’s crazy about mangoes. So I thought, let’s tease those tastebuds a little and give you the best of both worlds.”
t
he French have left their indelible mark on everything – from fashion and art to films and culture. And as for the food … well, it would be hard not to be enamoured by the flavours of a nation so obsessed with its cuisine. We decided to take the plunge and
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Tucking into both desserts was a gastronomic experience for us. So, watch Fabien in action and bring a little bit of France onto your table!
Chef Fabien Berteau is the Head Pastry Chef at the Park Hyatt in Chennai.
june 2013
f ood
PARIS
Image: Dwarakesh Iyengar
(Serves 4-6 persons)
For the Choux Pastry
For the Pastry Cream
Milk – 75 ml Water – 175 ml Sugar – 7 gms Salt –- 3 gms Butter – 100 gms Flour – 175 gms Eggs – 300 ml – (Approx 5 egg yolks)
Milk – 500 ml Egg yolks – 120 ml - Beat the yolks gently to emulsify and measure out 300 ml Sugar – 120 gms Cornflour – 30 gms Custard powder – 20 gms Butter – 150 gms Praline paste – 100 gms
Method • In a saucepan bring the water, milk, butter, sugar and salt to boil. • Fold in the sieved flour and dry out over strong heat. • Incorporate eggs one by one. • Pipe the mixture onto baking paper in doughnut shaped circles • Bake in an oven set at190 degrees for 25 minutes.
Method • Bring the milk to the boil and mix in the egg yolks, sugar, cornflour and custard powder. • Stir for two minutes till the mixture boils. • Add 50 gms of butter. Cool and store in the refrigerator for an hour. • Add the praline paste and the remaining soft butter and mix well to get a smooth batter.
To Serve: Slice the choux pasty doughnuts horizontally. Pipe the praline paste onto one choux pastry, top it with the other half and serve.
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f ood
CHOCOLATE FONDUE &
Image: Dwarakesh Iyengar
(Serves 4-6 persons)
For the Chocolate Fondue
For the Mango Milk Shake
Dark chocolate 70 per cent cocoa Chocolate – 260 gms Butter – 300 gms Eggs – 500 ml Castor sugar – 200 gms Flour – 130 gms Method
Mango puree – 150 gms Vanilla ice cream – 500 gms Full cream milk – 50 ml
• Melt the chocolate and the butter in a double boiler. • Beat the eggs and castor sugar together till the mix is a pale consistency. • Add the chocolate into it this mixture using a spatula. • Add the flour and mix well. • Keep the mixture in the refrigerator for an hour. • Pipe the mixture into the mould. • Bake at 190 degrees for nine minutes.
Pour the mango puree, vanilla ice cream and the full cream milk into a blender for 30 seconds. Pour the mixture into a short glass and serve.
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Videographer: Subash
Method
Method
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travel
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travel
Top 5 Places
New York: I love it, as I went to school there. But more than that, I think, it is a very cosmopolitan city. I like taking pictures of people placed in an interesting environment. It has this great vivacity, buzz and great historical places like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and not to forget the Niagara Falls. New York is a melting pot of cultures and that’s what makes it spectacular.
Mumbai: It is the city that is my home. I am actually not a great photographer, I am an aspiring one. More than monuments, statues, malls or markets, capturing people in their myriad moods, various stages of life really interests me, or you can say fascinates me. Mumbai makes a great subject. For me, pictures are about freezing special moments in time.
Kashmir: I was there shooting for Vishal Bharadwaj Saat Khoon Maaf with Irrfan Khan and I went ballistic trying to take pictures at every nook and corner as I was surrounded by such beauty, that it just swept me away. Everything is so stunning and natural. Despite the region being strife torn, the place’s natural beauty mesmerized me.
Ko Samui: I love beaches, sun, sand and bikinis. I like Thailand and Ko Samui’s clear waters and also Krabi, where you can go snorkeling or kayaking, it offers crystal clear waters and a above all peace, as if you are one with nature.
Marrakech: Marrakech: I was there this year for the Marrakech Film Festival. I like Morocco. It is as if old world meets new-age, it was fascinating. Places must speak to you, whether it is historical or contemporary, I like pictures to tell a story.
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I
amateurs,” he says adding, “the currents get stronger as you hit June-July. That’s when the more professional surfers come out, looking for waves that swell up to over 20 feet!”
So, what has made India’s coastline so appealing to surfers? “The possibility of finding new, quiet, exciting as well as exclusive places. The waves are relatively gentle before the rains, so it’s perfect for beginners,” explains Joshua Nguyen, a seasonal surfer who is exploring the southern coasts ahead of the monsoons. “This is usually the best time for
Perhaps one of the first people to start a surfing school on the south-eastern coast, brothers Juan and Samai Reboul, who were born in a fishing hamlet in Spain, had their first taste of the waves as two very impressionable children growing up in Auroville, near Puducherry. They opened the Kallialay Surf School in the fishing village of Tandriankuppam in 2009 and have been witness to the surge of interest in surfing activity over the last few years. “When we moved here in 1995, there was a community of maybe 10 surfers (who gave Juan and Samai their first surfboards). Now, on a good day with good swells and conditions, we have many times that number of people in the water,” says Juan.
ndia’s over 7,000 kms of coastline and some large island groups have been attracting surfers from all over the world. Their aim? To find stretches of silent, unexplored beaches so that they may ride the waves along the coastlines of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Goa. The idea of surfing tourism has caught on rapidly with surfing schools operating out of beachside villages or resorts and cricketer Jonty Rhodes, who often hits India’s beaches with his surfboard, being declared the official ambassador for the sport in the country.
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travel So, how long does it take for a beginner to pick up surfing during a holiday? “After a 10day course you will be able to surf yourself,” says Samai. “However, that depends on two things – how fit or sporty you are and whether you know how to swim. The latter is an essential prerequisite.” If one needs to dole out credit for the start of the surfing movement in India, it has to go to Jack Hebner an American surfer monk who started the first surfing ashram in Mangalore and is better known as the Surfing Swamy. Rammohan Paranjape, who is India’s only professional surf photographer and one of the founding members of the Surfing Federation of India, was one of his early students. “Surfing was introduced to a bunch of us by the Surfing Swamy in early 2000,” he explains. “His efforts led to the first ever surfing school in India that was established here in 2004.”
But Rammohan says that all the recent attention that India has been garnering as a major surfing spot is due to the kind of coverage it gets from the media and the kind of support they get in terms of equipment and assistance from different sponsors and surfing aficionados from around the world. Now, with Jonty Rhodes endorsing the activity, it has caught the attention of the average urban Indian. “The South Africans love to surf and we had heard that Jonty has been surfing to keep fit after his retirement,” says Rammohan, as he looks to the future. “People from the cities steal away to these beaches, curious about surfing, and wanting to learn how to catch a wave. This kind of curiosity and enthusiasm is what will take surfing to the next level in this country. I think it’s just a matter of time before we see India become a much bigger part of the surfing map.”
Surfing Tips and Etiquette • It is advisable to first cover familiar surfing spots in India before attempting to search for new ones.
Surfing Schools
• Make sure you do not interfere with the fishing activity by the beach.
•
• Watch out for currents. It is better to familiarise yourself with the rips (a powerful flow of water rushing back to the ocean due to heavy wave action), and currents at the surfing spot by asking fellow surfers or local fishermen from the area. • Don’t hog the waves!
Bay of Life # 14/19, Carmel Nagar, Kovalam East Coast Road Chennai Contact: www.bayoflife.com
• While going into the sea in a line-up, the one closest to the peak of the wave has right of way and should be allowed to tackle the wave.
• Kallialay Surf School Tandriankuppam Puducherry Contact: www.surfschoolindia.com
Safety
• Soul and Surf Varkala, Kerala Contact: sofie@soulandsurf.com
• Don’t dive in right away. Talk to the locals and the lifeguard (if present) about surfing conditions. • Never surf alone! India’s coastline destinations do not have a consistent lifeguard programme in place, except for areas like Goa or Kovalam, near Chennai. • Never mix alcohol with surfing. Even nursing a hangover can be risky. • If you ever get caught in a rip, relax. Start swimming towards the shore at a 45-degree angle. Swimming parallel to the shore will get you out of the rip and hopefully you can catch a wave or two all the way back to the beach!
•
Cocopelli Surf School Beach, Belehittal Gokarna, Karnataka Contact: surfschool@cocopelli.org
• Mantra Surf Club # 6-64 Kolachi Kambala, Bappanadu Mulki, Mangalore, Karnataka Contact: www.surfingindia.net
• Dive under large waves.
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BEFORE
AFTER
Aditi Rao Hydari This one’s a double whammy for you. It’s not just the nose. Even Aditi’s lips seem to have undergone some cosmetic changes. The actress garnered accolades for one of her early features Shringaram, where she looked quite the lissome lass. But now, in her uber chic Murder 3 avatar, she’s trimmed out some flab, from the nostrils and gone for the scalpel sharp beak. Smells fishy?
They are young, they are gorgeous. And yes, they have a nose (cough) for alterations. NOTCH rounds up the beauties who sharpened their beaks for a better break
Minissha Lamba Fresh faced Minissha Lamba is yet to make her billing as a top star. But her rhinoplasty, at least going by the pictures, seems completely unwarranted. Take a look at the before and after pictures and tell us if flaring her nostrils was a better alternative to taking acting lessons.
BEFORE
AFTER
Shruti Haasan The true blue blooded princess of Kollywood, Shruti Haasan seemed to have everything going for her - great looks, an unrivalled lineage and promising talent. But Luck wasn’t on her side as she decided to go under the knife for ‘health reasons’. The journey from bulbous to svelte (nose-wise) hasn’t made any impact on her career per se.
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BEFORE
AFTER
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wellness
Natural Selection Isha Koppikar shares the secret behind her naturally gorgeous looks
HAIR
APPARENT I also love products with mint as they are so cooling and refreshing. When your hair is exposed to summer heat, it is imperative to keep your hair free from dirt and stickiness. Remember to nourish your hair with coconut based hair oil at least thrice a week to give them the nourishment and shine they need. Use a mild shampoo to keep your scalp clean. Knotting your hair or braiding it will protect it from entangling and breaking. Wear a scarf or a hat to protect your hair from sun damage. Staying hydrated is very essential for healthy hair; drink a lot of coconut water and juices to keep yourself hydrated
KEEPING IT
ORGANIC I am very particular about cleansing, toning and moisturizing my skin. I am very particular about moisturizing my body with products containing natural ingredients. Natural moisturizers like coconut based ones penetrate deep into your skin & and get absorbed easily to leave your skin feeling moisturized yet in a completely non sticky manner.
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MUNCHING
RIGHTS
My diet includes more liquids especially in summer. A lot of fruits and veggies are an integral part of my diet. I cut down on nonveg during this season. Lemon and mint juice refreshes and helps me beat the heat. Curd and butter milk is my favourite especially during this weather. For breakfast, egg whites and multi grain toast is the best. For lunch, jowar ki roti and subzi and for dinner, fish and salad is my safest bet. In between meals, if hungry, I have fruits or dahi/buttermilk.
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N A M N O IR e to Kris Gethin, author of Guid al Your Best Body, and person trainer to Hrithik Roshan the gives us a peek into what ain nt Bollywood star does to mai his incredible physique Asmita Aggarwal
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wellness The Six Pack Theory
Staying consistent with 100 per cent commitment and controlling your environment instead of being controlled by it is the key to Hrithik’s success.
Lose The Flab In 12 Weeks
Duggu followed Kris’ guidance without cheating even once during their 12-week transformation process and worked around his injuries. The Diet Plan
Hrithik’s diet plan is very similar to what Kris mapped out in his book Guide to Your Best Body. He eats six to eight meals a day with slow release carbs, lean protein sources and several protein shakes when needed.
Work It Out
Hrithik trains with weights four hours a week and does forms of cardio such as cross fit, swimming, elliptical, running or stair master every day for 20 minutes.
Achilles Heel Pumped Up Kicks
After waking up, Hrithik eats a meal, performs 20 minutes of cardio and then eats his second meal. He eats every two hours through the day and generally trains with weights in the evening for around 45 minutes. When he travels, he never misses a workout or a meal either.
Hrithik’s problem areas are his spine, knee and bicep tendons.
Word Of Advice
Staying consistent every single day is Hrithik’s mantra. Kris advised him to tell everyone his goals, so he puts his sincerity on the line to complete them. Kris also suggested that he try to burn bridges with things or people that hold him back while building others that would support him.
Steer Clear Of
Duggu has to avoid carbohydrates late at night, anything bread-crumbed or fried and many Indian delicacies.
Training Days
Duggu has been training with Kris for 16-months now.
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Guide to Your Best Body by Kris Gethin is available in paperback and e-book format from Simon and Schuster
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IN YOUR
PAD
NOTCH showcases all the hot stuff, trends, gizmos, one-liners and quips that’s got the boys talkin’…
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Wham! Bam! Thank you, Ma'am! Lock and load your shotgun and prepare to be drawn and quartered in the immersive world of Bioshock Infinite The Story
I
t’s circa 1912. And you play the role of a debt-ridden, former Pinkerton agent Booker DeWitt. Your mission, your one last job, is to rescue a damsel named Elizabeth, imprisoned since childhood in the missing city of Columbia. She’s got special powers, as you will see during the course
Quick Facts Title: Bioshock Infinite Genre: First Person shooter Platform: PC/PS3 Developer: Irrational Games Distributor: e-xpress Interactive Software (P) Limited
What's not The developers expect you to have a strong stomach as the baddies can be disposed off in hyper violent ways. The body count certainly holds a candle to the level of blood and gore. Squeamish gamers, you have been warned.
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of the game. Her captor and her only companion is a mysterious creature called Songbird, who will leave no stone unturned to return her to prison. At your disposal is an ever expanding arsenal of weapons and skills that will propel you and Elizabeth across high speed skylines, gigantic Zeppelins and the streets and houses in Columbia.
What's hot The game is visually stunning, to say the least. The city of Columbia is a floating entity surrounded by gorgeous clouds that provide the game with a dreamlike quality. The environments are painstakingly rendered with attention to detail. There are plazas, town centres and architecture that are breathtaking beyond compare. Your partner Elizabeth is a fully fleshed out AI (Artificial Intelligence) character who is both a heartbreaker and a lifesaver. The gameplay and combat sequences are as action packed as they come with supersized enemies and villains ensuring you’re on your toes from the word ‘go’.
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'I like a man who smells nice' A thinking woman’s tips on what turns her on Arpita Chatterjee
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ctor Swara Bhaskar is a woman of substance. She loves to read, went to Palestine for a peace march, has adopted three stray cats and has a Masters in Sociology. She’s in two films this year, Aurangzeb and Raanjhnaa. She’s also delivered a power-packed performance in Listen Amaya and Tanu Weds Manu. She doesn’t need a man to look out for her and is perfectly capable of fighting for her place in the world. But Swara’s a romantic at heart. She gave us a lowdown on what impresses her about a man and what turns her off.
1. What are the six things you look for in a man? Consideration and sensitivity. Sense of humour Imagination. I love a story-teller. Generosity of spirit. He must smell nice and look clean.
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2. What do you find a total turn off? That’s a long list. I abhor violence (of any kind), egotistical behavior, conceit, power or big flashy cars and lack of consideration for those less privileged. I seriously dislike men who can’t handle alchohol and get aggressive when drunk. I find people who are sloppy eaters revolting as well.
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3. Where would you like a guy to take you on a first date? I would like a man to take me to a restaurant that’s quiet and secluded and overlooks a green valley. The music must be soft so we can have a long conversation and go for a walk afterwards. Yes! I am a romantic at heart, who grew up on a healthy diet of feel-good romcoms and I believe happy endings do exist.
4. What is your top turn on? An intimate conversation
5. What pick up line would you say works for you? I don’t believe pick up lines really work. Don’t waste your time thinking of pick up lines, focus on the conversation.
TALKING STRAIGHT Bestselling author Amish Tripathi talks to us about one-night stands and romance…
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have been with one woman since I was 17 years old. I have never been in one-night stands, rebound relationships or two timing scenarios. So, I don’t know what that is all about. Although I find my love story very exciting, people might find it boring. It’s probably why I don’t see myself writing love stories.”
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The Micro Beer Belly
Microbreweries specialising in handcrafted beer, made from exotic and indigenous ingredients are now piquing the curiosity of beer lovers across India
Bijoy Bharathan
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here’s a Homer Simpson in every one of us. Brewmeisters seem to have woken up to this reality as microbreweries are now cropping up across India faster than you can say, ‘Doh’! It’s a far cry from the time when standard issue beer, in its bottled, canned and draught variants served as the unifying agent in watering holes of all shapes and sizes. Today, microbreweries are handcrafting different varieties of beer in small batches, in the old-school artisanal way. Suketu Talekar and Oliver Schauf, the co-founders of Doolally Brewing Company, Pune, tell us, “We celebrate local ingredients and try our best to constantly reinvent our beers with new and more interesting elements. Our truly Indian beers – Millet Beer (Bajri Beer), Karvand Cider, Mango Beer and Jaggery Ale celebrate local handpicked ingredients. We love using new ingredients like these, especially since it’s rare to find them in beer-making regions like Germany and Belgium!”
These beers can be had at The 1st Brewhouse (Doolally on Tap!) Corinthians Resort and Club, Undri, South Pune – 60
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Here's the lowdown on these hyper local suds: Millet Beer (Bajri Beer)
An idle thought triggered after a hearty meal of Zunka-Bhakari at a friend’s place got our German brewmaster, Oliver Schauf to craft a beer using Bajri/Bajra as the base ingredient. The result is Bajri - a smooth well rounded beer, deep amber in colour, with a pronounced bready nose. This full bodied brew has a pronounced silky texture with cereal notes in its after-taste.
Food pairing: Pastas
pair nicely with this beer. Try it with a Fettuccine with lightly spiced chicken and porcini mushrooms.
Jaggery Ale (Gur Ale)
The Jaggery Ale has deep amber, almost ruby like colour and an exceptionally full-bodied, complex character, imparted by its star ingredient – Kolhapur jaggery. Generous quantities of noble hops (an element used to stabilise a brew) like Saaz, combined with the tropical effervescence of jaggery gives the pale ale its fragrant bouquet and spicy flavour.
Food pairing:
This English bitter, sweetened with good old Indian jaggery goes best with spicy food. Team it up with Tandoori Chicken, Vegetarian Kolhapuri or Paneer Tikka and you have a winner!
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MANGO BEER
Mango beer from the juicy Alphonso throws up interesting flavours for us to experiment with. This brew is based on a classic Belgium Blonde recipe using a fruit variation. Using ripe seasonal Alphonso mangoes, this beer has an excellent fruity aroma and balancing sweet dryness.
Food pairing:
This goes well with all foods in a pub. But if you can get your hands on Potato pancakes topped with Salmon, nothing like it!
Blackberry Brew (Karvand Cider)
Karvand is a local berry found abundantly in Maharashtra along the Western Ghats. This carefully brewed cider is fruity, mildly acidic with a beautiful tarty finish.
Food pairing:
Crêpes are traditionally served with cider. Crêpes are served with a variety of fillings, from the simple sugary crêpes to flambeed crêpes or elaborate savoury fillings
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p eople
The Green Room is a tell-all account of ace designer Wendell Rodricks’ journey in the world of fashion Asmita Aggarwal
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people
T
he Green Room by Wendell Rodricks gives us insights into Wendell’s beginnings as a hotel management student to his evolution as a style guru. It talks about his life-long muse Malaika Arora Khan, his love-pact with Jerome that led to a family boycott, his affection for the Tatas, his heartbreak over the split of the Fashion Weeks (Delhi and Mumbai) and how despite being ‘abused’ by fellow designers he emerged with dignity. How did the idea for your book come about? Goa Writers, a group I was part of, threw me a challenge to write a book in two months at 2,000 words a day. I was the only person who met this challenge! I sent the manuscript to my literary agent Mita Kapur and Raintree published the book. I am delighted with the result. Did you set any parameters when you wrote The Green Room? Yes. That I would be truthful, non-judgemental, recount my life as an inspiration for students and the next generation. And also not hurt anyone in an industry that is often portrayed as being full of crazy designers and fickle models. Your first show in Paris – did it change your life? Being invited to the Salon Pret a Porter de Paris is a big deal indeed. Personally, being invited to IGEDO was career-changing as I was the first Indian designer invited to the world’s largest garment fair. My favourite design june 2013
moments were doing the Visionnaire collection for the visually-challenged and reviving the Goan Kunbi sari. You went to a catering college in Mumbai – when did you realise designing was ‘it’? I did hotel management as it seemed very glamorous at the time. But my heart was in design and as soon as I saved sufficient funds to study fashion, I gave it a shot. It was a gamble that paid off. Luck and destiny also played their parts. You went to a catering college in Mumbai – when did you realise designing was ‘it’? I did hotel management as it seemed very glamorous at the time. But my heart was in design and as soon as I saved sufficient funds to study fashion, I gave it a shot. It was a gamble that paid off. Luck and destiny also played their parts. You were one of the frontrunners of the Lakme Fashion Week. Was the split painful for you? I was consultant to Lakme at the time. We had absolutely no idea it would become such a huge event. Credit must go to IMG for initially getting the designers together on one platform. When Lakme split from FDCI (Fashion Design Council of India), I was unaffected. However, some ambitious designers called me names but I forgive them as they had no idea of my history with Lakme or that I looked upon Simone Tata more like a favourite aunt or that the Tatas are a family I admire and am happy to work for.
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Your partnership with Jerome led to a family boycott. Have things changed? Maybe I should not have used the word ‘boycott’ in the book. The family knew and loved Jerome for 20 years. How can any family not used to media scrutiny be comfortable with a sexual preference being thrown into public view? I understood their angst, forgave them, they apologised and we are a family again. My niece Tegan walked for me as opening and showstopper for my last Lakme Fashion Week show. You have dressed the most beautiful women. Who remains your eternal favourite and why? Apart from the stars like Malaika (Arora Khan) and Rekha, there have been some people, Anjana Sharma for one among many, who
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have followed my career since I began. If I ever need to do a retrospective of my work, I know exactly which wardrobes to raid! What is the one thing that you desire now that money can’t buy? I would rather spend a night under a canopy of unpurchasable stars than sleep in Frette linen in an artificially lit and climate-controlled room. I just want to enjoy this wonderful journey called ‘life’. Will we ever see you at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WLIFW)? I am part of the FDCI Board and have been selling at Wills Lifestyle stores. I show every alternate season in Delhi (we don’t do winter shows, but we take a stall) for a while now. WLIFW is an important financial revenue point for us. I am looking forward to showing my collection this October. What do you feel needs to be changed in the fashion industry and why? We are not even recognised as an industry by the government despite the fact that we employ millions. If, during my tenure on the FDCI Board, we can attain this, nothing will make me happier. It’s sad that we need to pay entertainment tax for every fashion show, including student graduation shows! Are we just a bunch of cabaret artistes? We inspire a nation of glamour-struck people and we indirectly provide food, shelter and a livelihood to millions.
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vari ety Govinda – Krishna Udayasankar (Hachette India)
Wondering what to read ? Here’s a selection of some of the e-books making waves in the subcontinent
For generations, the firstborn dynasty of scholar-sages, descendants of Vasishta Varuni and protectors of the Divine Order on earth, has dominated Aryavarta, the ancient realm of the noble. For just as long, the Angirasa family of Firewrights has defied them. In the aftermath of the centuries-long conflict between the two orders, the once-united empire of Aryavarta lies splintered. Now, the last Secret Keeper of the Firewrights is dead, killed by a violent hand, and the battle for supreme power in the empire is about to begin. Govinda Shauri, a cowherd-turned-prince and now Commander of the armies of Dwaraka, must use all his cunning to protect his people and those he loves.
Chutnefying English
The Cubicle Manifesto – Mainak Dhar (Random House India)
Something’s happened to English; and to Hindi. These two languages need to be understood anew through their hybridization into Hinglish - a mixture that has begun to make itself heard everywhere. How did this form of urban communication evolve? Is this language the new and trendy idiom of a youthful population no longer competent in either English or Hindi? Or is it an Indianized version of a oncecolonial language, claiming its legitimate place alongside India’s many languages? Chutnefying English: The Phenomenon of Hinglish, the first book on the subject, takes a serious look at this widespread phenomenon of our times which has pervaded every aspect of our daily lives.
Welcome to the cubicle. The desk space you occupy for hours on end. Where creativity is dead and stress levels are high, where you feel guilty for leaving, but reluctant to arrive. Is this the place you’d really like to be? Stressed office worker Mayukh can’t believe his misfortune when his computer gets infected by a virus. The virus seems to have its own agenda and it soon starts a revolution that will change how Mayukh works forever. A business parable for the modern age, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to reduce stress and achieve a better work-life balance.
(Penguin Books India)
Amul’s India – Based on 50 years of Amul advertising (Harper Collins India)
The Amul campaign tells the stories of India, one hoarding at a time. The hoardings are markers of the ‘popular’ history of India and have been followed by fans for decades. Timeless and ageless, this longrunning campaign has captivated Indians of all ages. The key character in this saga is the little girl in polka dots, who helped Amul Butter win over an entire nation. This book celebrates her journey through the eyes of prominent writers, public figures and the subjects of the hoardings themselves. The book is rife with a series of vignettes, creating a patchwork quilt of essays, snippets and selections of classic hoardings. May 2013
The Other Side of the Table – Madhumita Mukherjee (Fingerprint Publishing) The Other Side of the Table is a story about letters shared between its two protagonists, Abhi, who is training to be a neurosurgeon in London, and Uma, who is just stepping into the world of medicine in Kolkata. Spanning almost a decade, they ink their emotions onto paper, and their lives get chronicled in this subtly nuanced conversation through letters – about dreams, desires, heartbreaks, and longings, about a proverbial good life falling apart, about a failed marriage, a visceral loss, and about a dream that threatens social expectations.
Mahanayak Revisited: The World of Uttam Kumar – Swapan Mullick (Westland Limited) Veteran film critic Swapan Mullick’s Mahanayak Revisited goes behind the professional life and public face of Bengal’s most idolized actor Uttam Kumar, to reveal little-known details of the star’s unconscious power in the film industry for more than thirty years, the dazzling achievements dampened by dud disappointments, and the aberrations attendant on a life constantly in the floodlights – all of which have resulted in, for cine lovers, an attachment that survives years after his death. Mullick researches the reason for our undying worship of, and emotional links with, Bengal s most enduring screen hero, emerging with a gripping portrait of a true master of his art.
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destiny Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists
D
ate with
estiny
Aries March 21 to April 19 Card of the month — The Sun: Clarity of vision Dear Aries, the Sun which is a brilliant star in your chart this month, denotes clarity of vision, a divine order coming your way and positivity. It dissipates all that is grey and gloomy from your environment. The Sun is one of my favourite cards as it presents your surroundings with joyfulness and a ray of hope. It suggests good news for expectant mothers this month and for those who are hoping to start a family. This is your month. The first half of the month is all about family celebrations, travel and rejuvenation; the second half however bestows good health. On the work front you will build a strong sense of enthusiasm with your colleagues and delayed projects should find completion. So stop being gloomy about minor things and start enjoying yourself!
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Taurus April 20 to May 20 Card of the month — The Lovers:Choices Dear Taurus, today you face The Lovers card which represents that you stand at the crossroads. A significant decision needs to be made in your life. However, your head leads you in one direction where practicality rules even though your heart aches for you to be more `free-flowing.’ Taurians who are single will attract a partner. For singles, this month is all about physical attraction, attention and intimacy. It however does not indicate commitment of any kind. Couples may go through a rough patch during the middle of the month — feeling trapped and wanting out of the situation. This is where you have a choice: to either stay in the relationship or slide out of it. On the financial front you may encounter certain risks, in such a case you will have to weigh all the pros and cons before you take the plunge.
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destiny Gemini May 21 to June 20 Card of the month — The Empress: Creativity and abundance This is one card you want coming your way, Gemini as it brings with it a sense of emotional support, financial security and love. It also denotes that expectant mothers can look forward to having beautiful baby girls. This card is a good omen as it signifies profits in business. It also suggests a period where you can buy or get profitable properties. As The Empress appears in your chart this month she heralds a comforting environment in the family, abundance, new ventures and last but not least a lot of encouragement and support from family and friends. People in the creative field will prosper and gain material and financial abundance. The one word of caution this month is for you to be aware of gossip mongers and not to indulge in useless speculation as it could come back to haunt you! Leo July 23 to August 22 Card of the month — Judgement: Resolutions This month has strong karmic energies flowing for you, so do stay away from the one thing you detest doing. Yield to the universal flow and let nature take its own course. The Judgement card denotes a time of awakening and opportunities.
Virgo August 23 to September 22 Card of the month — The Hanged Man: Yield to the flow You, my dear, are stuck in a situation of inaction. This month the past seems far more comforting than the future and you may feel hopeless about certain things as you may not have the ability to change the situation at present. Even though in certain decks, The Hanged Man is a card of sacrifice, it does not ask the seeker to give up material associations or a certain person. It simply denotes that you must try to be an observer this month. This will allow you to gain a far stronger perspective not only of your work but also about your personal environment. Trust your inner wisdom and release the inappropriate or negative attitude towards yourself and your relationships. If you get hyperactive about any situation now it will only create discord in your life.
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Cancer June 21 to July 22 Card of the month — Strength: Courage and selfbelief Moonchild, it’s time for you to believe in yourself far more than any other entity. This month teaches you to be true to yourself and face adversity courageously. You’ve been lazing around too long and it’s time you made plans and stuck by them. Your willpower and self-belief may be tested in the area of relationships. Choose to ignore your insecurities about your body and mind this month. Get physically fitter as this will improve your confidence levels. Assertiveness and action in your work place are important for you as they build confidence. Understand this Moonchild, your fears may appear real but actually, they are not.
You will face positive changes in your personal space from the 12th onwards. Do be cautious with legal matters from the 20th of this month as there is a possibility of the ruling going against you. So, if the situation arises, swallow your pride and consider a compromise. In matters of finance this card always tells us to use our own judgement wisely and not be very judgemental of others or of situations.
Libra September 23 to October 22 Card of the month — Justice: Sound logic The traditional message of the Justice card says that justice will prevail at all costs. While this is an extremely positive sign — stating that all rulings will go in your favour — a closer look at this card indicates that this month you will have to use a ton of sound logic not only in your dealings with people but also with a loved one. Tread carefully as far as money matters go from the 18th to the end of the month. New contracts should be carefully scrutinised. At a spiritual level it’s an extremely strong karmic month — one which allows you to see the true colours of people around you. Partnerships in an old business may go through substantial changes and could also break.
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destiny Scorpio October 23 to November 21 Card of the month — The Devil: Temptations versus decisions Yes, dear Scorpio, you are faced with a two-fold path this month. There is one part of you that wants to give in to the temptations you are surrounded by and another part that needs to make a concrete decision. Your emotions and thoughts will dance to the devil’s tune this month. However, in relationships The Devil represents unbreakable bonds. If you are contemplating marriage the message this month says: set that date and make those decisions without consistently questioning yourself. On the work front be cautious of the deals you make and do not spend money on things you cannot afford. Travel is imminent this month and this will ensure that you gain more clarity about the situation around you.
Capricorn December 22 to January 19 Card of the month — The Chariot: Struggle and success The Chariot card predicts movement, it says that you are the vehicle and the choices you make shall steer you closer towards your destiny. So, don’t give up on yourself or the people around you. This card appearing in your chart denotes that even
Aquarius January 20 to February 18 Card of the month — The Magician: Determination and victory The Magician is an amazing card to receive this month as it marks a time when opportunities will come your way regardless of your fears and new beginnings in a material space will prove to be fruitful for you in the long run. When this card appears in your reading, it indicates determination and victory. This month you are in control Aquarius, so do go after whatever is it that you believe in. Your charm is about to work on a lot of people and it will surely create wonderful opportunities for you within your work space and love life. People looking to be in a relationship may find themselves a partner this month. Travel is also on the cards.
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Sagittarius November 22 to December 21 Card of the month — The High Priestess: Intelligent intuition This month it’s all about aligning your intellect with your intuition in all walks of life. The High Priestess in your chart denotes that you must have the courage to listen to your gut instinct and execute what it demands of you. On the work front you will attract people from all walks of life and this will prove to be profitable for you. People in the teaching and spiritual professions will gain importance, name and respect. This month will fuel you with energy that will allow you to finish projects and begin new ones with confidence. If you are interested in writing a book now is the time to start. Last but not least, misunderstandings between mothers and daughters will be sorted out amicably.
though there may be certain struggles in your life at the moment the outcome will be positive and you will emerge victorious from all the challenges. On the work front you may have to change the game a bit by becoming unpredictable. The card also suggests that this month, post the 7th, you may travel on account of work which will prove to be fruitful for you in the long run. Family will always be your strongest ally and will support you in all your endeavours.
Pisces February 19 to March 20 Card of the month — The star: Wishes When you wish upon a star, Makes no difference who you are, Anything your heart desires, Will come to you... Leigh Harline and Ned Washington wrote these lines and they are completely in tune with you this month Pisces. It’s all about your unexpected wishes coming true now — not just with financial security and material things, but also gaining new friendships and securing love. You enter a period from the 2nd where singles will attract new partners and couples will enter a far stronger space in their relationships. The card also suggests that if you have faith in yourself whatever you want in the future will come your way.
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STOCKLIST May 2013
Café Ludus 24 & 25, 2nd Floor MGF Metropolitian Mall Saket, New Delhi Doolally Brewing Company The Corinthians Boutique Hotel Nyati County, NIBM Annexe South Pune, Pune 411060 www.doolally.in Hachette Book Publishing India Pvt Ltd 4th/5th Floors, Corporate Centre Plot no 94, Sector 44 Gurgaon-122003 HarperCollins Publishers India A 53, Sector 57 Noida, Uttar Pradesh T: +91 120 4044800 Fingerprint Publishing C/o Prakash Books A-1, Lower Ground Floor Gate No. 2, Cariappa Marg Sainik Farms, M.B. Road New Delhi- 110062 Jehangir Mehta www.jehangirmehta.com Manish Malhotra www.manishmalhotra.in
Park Hyatt Chennai 39 Velachery Road, Raj Bhavan Velachery Main Rd, Guindy Chennai- 600032 T: +91 44 7177 1234 Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd. 11, Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi- 110017 T: +91 11 26494401/02/05/07 Pria Kataria Puri 101, Richoux, Chimbai Road Bandra West Bandra, Mumbai- 400040 Pretty Lights Music www.prettylightsmusic.com Rajdeep Ranawat www.ranawat.com 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 Wendell Rodricks www.wendellrodricks.com Westland Books Venkat Towers Old No. 307 (New No.165) P.H. Road, Maduravoyal Chennai- 600095
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