Global Movie Magazine March 2015

Co - Editor Faisal Saif

Consulting - Editor Lipika Varma

International Correspondent Carlyta Mouhini

Special Corresspondent Aahana

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Feature News Writers Sandeep Hattangady Akshita Pawar Mohan Ayyer

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Seema Pimpley Editor & Publisher

“Convince me or get convinced” says Nana

By lipika varma

Bollywood actor Nana Patekar, who returns in the sequel to 2004 crime drama Ab Tak Chappan, claims that you don’t have to watch the original to make sense of his new film.

“We are taking the story forward. Police inspector Sadhu Agashe is now 42, retired and lives in his village in isolation with his son. But something happens in the city and the police department wants him back. He isn’t keen but they somehow convince him. The story starts from there,” said Patekar in an interview with Global Movie (Lipika Verma)!.

Ab Tak Chappan 2, is chronicles that trials and triumphs of a cop known for his radical means of dealing with gangsters and criminals. From faking deadly encounters to wiping out the baddies by registering false criminal cases against them, his intentions are always noble, but his methods are mighty controversial.

“These days, I take on roles only if I find it promising ... Earlier in my career, there may have been compulsions for accepting films for money. But today, I take on roles only if I am thoroughly convinced.

Ab Tak Chappan 2 explores the progress of my character Sadhu Agashe,” said Patekar, who has acted in blockbusters such as Raajneeti and Parinda. Not the most tactful actor in this industry, Patekar claims he isn’t worried about the reviews that will be rolled out.

“I have seen some films which were bad or trashy been given four stars. From that day on, I don’t believe in reviews.”

Earlier you would prefer speaking in Marathi only and never wanted to promote your films, why? Explain?

Well about not promoting films earlier and speaking mostly in Marathi, I take this opportunity to clarify that firstly, years back I was not very affluent with the Hindi language.

Therefore I spoke in Marathi only. Being my mother tongue I was quick to answer ever bit correctly. However, today I realize the importance of promotions and so I am promoting this film. Also I would never like to promote a film which is not close to my heart and after doing a film if I understand that the film does not have an intriguing tale ,why on earth would I promote it..Firstly, I fail to allure my audiences by just bringing them to the theatre by stating,”

yeah film meri bahut alag hai aur achchi hai! When they will see the film and not like it. Will I not be criticized for falsely appreciating my film. Thus “jo film mujhe achci nahi lagti hai mein use kabhi promote nahi karta.

What is your role in the sequel of Ab Tk Chappan 2?

“I feel the original “Ab Tak Chappan” has remained in the hearts of the people merely because the film is mostly shown on television. Therefore in-spite of the fact-ten years have gone by but the film remains with one and all. One thing is definitely changed in the sequel Sadhu Agashe was 40 years old then and now a man of 60 years will be playing this character. I play a staunch police officer. the criminals and the mode of performing crime has changed drastically. Earlier most of the criminals would be uneducated, wherein these days the criminals belong to the educated lot. What are the problems that arise in the films and how these problems are sorted out forms the crux of the story.

What is the difference you see in Film Industry ?

Actually, I do not belong to the film Arena. I just do my job and walk away. I do not like to attend any parties either. If at all I want to drink I will prefer sitting at home and help myself. Earlier I was a chain smoker but now I have stopped smoking. Well earlier we had very few media which could befit the channel

,but now the square foot room of Bollywood has increased drastically. Technically we have advanced undoubtedly. But the fact remains firm in place,” Its is the idea that sells.

If the tale is not intriguing that the film does not click at the box office windows..Making has become cheaper and quicker owing to advanced technology, but the budget of the film making has raised a lot.

Do you agree that this is the best time of Cinema?

Yes definitely .The youth and new directors & writers with different and good ideas are entering our industry. With new talent and technical advancement the Hindi Cinema has travelled all over the Globe. We need to have good scripts. Undeniably we are lacking on pair with good and meticulous scripts What is your take on usage of cuss words in shows like AIB? I would clearly like to state that we all beings are naked under our clothes. But stating this as “freedom of speech and making shows which will not impart any good message amongst our youth should not be encouraged. On the other side I will also say it is the connotation of certain words which when used in a different tone may change the meaning. Like in our Konkani language we may say”Hey B**P kai karte tu!! This is out of love, hence will not give the real meaning. But if a child watches such shows, he will surely bring these words in his daily usage. Therefore we being responsible citizen are not imparting the right knowledge to our coming generation. This is why it is wrong.

What is the fitness secret of your’s ?

The 64-year-old actor told I can’t build 6 pack abs but I’m trying to be as lean as I can,and has enough energy (and aggression) where i can beat a handful of men (if not hundreds) to pulp, because I have my regular meal with proper vegetable with dal & rice on time, there is everything with full of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, so there is no need of taking any protein powder to keep my body fit & I intake lots of water what keep’s me fresh all day, so just take proper meal on time and proper

food with seasonal fruits or fresh juice, this is the way how you can keep fit your body and mind always so there is no secret he smile’s….

What is your opinion about the Censor Board- about the cigarette inscription and banning murder, immodest scenes etc?

Look! While as creative persons when we are representing a story from within the society and if that character is a chain smoker, we will have to showcase his traits in the same way. Also if the story reveals the inside of a murderer do we not need to show the murders he is doing?

How will we reprise our story truthfully then? Even on the border the jawans die or either kills the other soldier of the

Country, what is that? Is it not a murder? Also the cigarette banning line printed on packaging of cigarette that “Cigarette is Injurious to Health” then too people invite death to themselves and this disturbs me a lot.

Do you feel Malhar can become an actor ?

Umm it is his life and choice he is free to follow whatever profession he wants to. Indeed he likes to be involved in production and direction .Thus he always likes to handle our production. It is not necessary that an actor’s son has to turn an actor only. Guru Dutt’s children could not follow his footsteps. If Malhaar feels to run a kirana shop he can do so man”.

When will we see you directing again?

I have always been directing all my films unofficially though. I was known to be interfering a lot with my directors. Well, this was only because I feel either they need to convince me or get convinced. If we are working together we will fight on creative differences but I never pursued any animosity with anyone. It is thus strange that a man with my kind of an attitude has survived in this industry .Also I didn’t have any God Father.

Tell us about your bollywood journey?

Well! I am not a man from the Film Industry. But my friend Smita wanted me to enact in films. It was for her I became a part and parcel of the filmy arena. I have done few films with her. It is indeed very sad that she has left for heavenly abode at an early age. We all do miss her. But one thing is sure that I choose my films in the film industry according to my terms and conditions. I did not have any Godfather either. When I look back, I indeed feel nice about being the part of this wonderful industry. When I look back and notice the fact of having existed for almost more than forty years here, indeed feels great.

You are also doing, ”Natya-Samrat, tell us something about that?

Yes! Mahesh Manjrekar is directing this. I remember when I first saw this play I wanted to enact this play. But now at this juncture of my life it is happening to me. Actually, this is a very huge play and those who perform in the play it is like a measuring tape for them, with their performance. I am happy to be doing it now. It is like a dream come true for me. Also the life of this man will be known to the youth of today. It will be the revival of “Natya-samrat .Sri ram Laagu had performed this character for the first time in the play.

Cop On The Top : Nana Patekar “I have seen some films which were bad or trashy been given four stars.

From that day on, I don’t believe in reviews.”

My new film is not a remake of the South film How Old Are You; it’s an original script!

“Kajol” The actress is all set to make a comeback with husband Ajay and her taking turns to be with their children Of late, there has been buzz about Kajol returning to the big screen. There are two films that she has reportedly signed.

One is being produced by hubby Ajay Devgn, while the other one is rumoured to be with Shah Rukh Khan to be directed

by Rohit Shetty. I caught up with the actress and we spoke about motherhood, parenting and her sixth ‘comeback’ to films!

Being a mom is more of a priority for you than anything else. True?

I wanted to become a mom when I was eight (Laughs). I thought I could become a mom when I was 13. Of course, my mother disapproved of the notion. So I said, ‘Okay fine, I will wait till I am 18’. When I was 18, I thought I will wait till 21.

So that kept happening and I became a mom when I was 28. But yes, it was always something that I have wanted to be. People aspire to be doctors, engineers and actors. As a child, all I wanted to be, was a good mom. I hope I’m good at it!

How has motherhood changed you?

In a lot of ways, really! I am, in a lot of ways, more intolerant. I am totally intolerant of bad parenting or injustice to children. It really affects me when I see a child somewhere being done wrong to. More than that, I am more tolerant now towards children screaming and shouting on a flight. (Laughs) I am more tolerant towards their tantrums and the supermarket stuff. It definitely has changed my perspective and you can’t help but change it when you are a parent.

How different a mom were you with Nysa as opposed to Yug? Parenting is easier with my second child. There’s less anxiety, less question marks. There’s a lot more knowledge behind it, so it’s a lot easier in many ways. You know if it’s a cough or a cold, it would get better and you know which

medicines to give. You know that everything is not a life-threatening situation. So that has become easier but my parenting style, per se, is the same. There’s a firm line that I draw as a parent and I think it’s more necessary for my kids to know that this is the boundary line and they can’t go out from here. That’s where their roots and that’s where they get the strength to grow up strong and tall. I feel as a parent, it’s your responsibility to give a providing member back to the society. It’s a scary thought that you have a child that you don’t want to raise, somebody who’s going to become a mass murderer or a psychopath (Laughs). That is something that is our responsibility to bring up kids who will be happy and will go positively in every aspect of society.

Is that why you took a sabbatical?

Yes, nd it will be that way always. It has to be like that when you have kids. I had kids because I wanted them. I did not have them because somebody thrust them on me. It was not by chance or mistake. I had my kids because I honestly, genuinely wanted them. Therefore, if you have taken on that responsibility then it is your job to sit down and make it happen to the best of your abilities. I don’t think I could’ve done that if I was working. Many parents work after having kids. Kudos to them for managing it. But I personally thought I wouldn’t have been able to manage it so I took time off from films. I wanted to experience this feeling because I was waiting to have kids all my life. So I wanted to be there 120 percent!

How’s Ajay as a dad?

I have to say it honestly that he did change the diapers some of the times. Initially, he had difficulties changing the nappies, but diapers toh, he could easily do it and was very happy. He is pretty much, a hands-on dad because he realises that his kids do need him around too. Children do need their parents around. So if the mother is not there, the father has to be there. So we manage it between us. So if I am going out of town, I make sure he’s in town and vice versa. One of us is always there with the kids.

So now that you will be going out for your film, will he be there for Nysa and Yug? I hope he will! (Laughs) We will manage it again. It’s a question of time management, micro-managing your time and we will be taking our kids along with us. I will at least be taking my kids along with me wherever I am going. I am a little emotional as a mother that way. I need to be around my children and I don’t think I can survive well without them.

You’ve always said Nysa is a lot like Ajay. Is Yug like you?

I hope so. Right now, his personality is like mine. But he has a lot of Ajay in him. And how much ever I say that Nysa is like her father, there’s a lot of me in her as well. So, I think it’s a happy nice combination of both.

Like other heroines, are you tired of the word ‘comeback’?

To be honest, I have come back about five times al

ready (Laughs out loud) So, I don’t think the next can be considered a comeback as such. It’s more like taking a gap and getting back to work. So it’s work and it’s more like a lunch break which you go for and then you come back from it to work.

When do we get to see you back on screen then?

I hope next year in all probabilities. My film will release in 2016. The film we are doing right now, under our production banner, will roll out in July-August. So we start shooting that time.

Is it the same film (Ram Madhwani’s film) that you were supposed to start last December?

No, its not that film. That did not work out.

This is a very different story.

There were also talks that this new film is the remake of the South film How Old Are You?…

No, it is not a remake at all. It is an original script. I cannot tell you much about it right now.

Any plans of working with Shah Rukh soon?

It’s always been fantastic working with Shah Rukh. There’s a certain comfort level with him and I cannot work with people who I’m not comfortable with. So I hope we work soon. Let’s see. (Smiles) So aren’t you doing the Rohit Shetty film?

I am not in a position to accept or deny it. So let’s see.

You have always worked with filmmakers who you’re comfortable with. With a flurry of new directors now, are you looking forward to working with any?

Ayan is my cousin. And there are others who I really like. In fact if you look back at my career, I am a person who has worked with the maximum new directors. As far as feeling comfortable with someone, it does not have to do with old or new. I only think that person needs to be intelligent, compassionate and open. Beyond that, it’s a plus. But then again, intelligence and common sense are two very rare things in this world.

Even Ajay was supposed to direct a film with you in it. What about that?

Yes, we had been planning that. I would love to work in Ajay’s film. I hope so, again. From your mouth to the words of God

One actor I’d choose for the marathon is Ranveer Singh!

“Sonakshi Sinha”

The actress is gearing up for the DNA ICan marathon Of the many celebs who are supporting DNA’s ICan Marathon for Women, one isSonakshi Sinha. The actress in a recent conversation about the same, the actress revealed how she’s preparing for the run and what her fitness Mantra is and much more. Read on…

Importance of jogging Jogging is a great form of exercise, but only if it is done on a proper and natural surface so as to not cause damage to the body. Morning is the best time for jogging. Though running does form a part of my daily exercise, I don’t do it for long intervals. Sprinting in short bursts during my cardio regime is what works best for me.

Preparing for the marathon To be part of a marathon, one has to be prepared, which I don’t think I am right now, but at some point in life, I definitely want to participate. What works for me while running is finding songs in which the beats coincide with every step I take. So, if I am running to a song with beats that match my steps I automatically run longer, the music keeps me going!

Fitness mantra Consistency and dedication. I have realised being regular with a workout regime — it could be in the gym, playing a sport, dancing or yoga — gives great results over a longer period of time.

Love my treadmill I have a treadmill and it plays a big role in my fitness regime. Even if I am feeling lazy to do a full workout, I just get onto my treadmill and walk for an hour. That way I know I am doing something, which is better than nothing!

Fav tracks while exercising I have my workout mix which I listen to. It’s got a whole mix of songs right from Hindi film music to David Guetta!

Ranveer it is!

One actor I’d choose for the marathon is Ranveer Singh. He has way too much energy, will be able to finish the run, and definitely egg me on if I happen to stop somewhere in the middle!

My Message Kudos to the women running the marathon! I think every participant shows a lot of strength and dedication by just being a part of the run. They inspire health and fitness, too. I wish them all the best!

I want to do stuff that really makes me uncomfortable!

“Abhishek Bachchan” The actor who knows his mind, is a constant learner, is passionate about his craft and astute in his business decisions It’s easy to get lost in a crowd. But Abhishek Bachchan succeeds in doing the opposite. He manages to stand out and shine in a crowd — and by that, I mean in a multi-starrer or a film with an ensemble cast. Look at the Dhoom series, Dostana, Bol Bachchan and Happy New Year now. He was clearly the highlight of HNY, but Abhishek doesn’t like to hear or even talk about that, “Thank you, but that’s not good for the film because we wanted to make a team film. The intention was to make a good collective film and I think we achieved that and complete credit to Shah Rukh and Farah because it was their vision. They made the rest of us feel part of the family, but it was more like executors of their vision but yeah, no complaints.”

Abhishek, in all humility, would not admit it, but even his harshest critics have appreciated him as Nandu Bhide. He mocks, “Critics? I have critics? What rubbish! I thought everybody loves me.” I insist that they very much exist and none of them liked the film, but they all loved him in it. He shrugs, “The way I see it, if they haven’t liked the film then I failed.

I don’t think it’s possible for any actor to stand out in a film. That’s my personal belief. I feel that if I was that good, they would have liked the film.”

I believe what endeared everyone to his HNY character is because it came so naturally to him. And he seemed to be having so much fun with it, and enjoying himself. He surprises me by saying that it is one of the toughest characters he has ever played, “Somebody asked Farah, ‘Why did you think of Abhishek to do Nandu Bhide?’ And that question is valid.

There is no semblance whatsoever. You know, I have done my education abroad, I don’t think I have met anybody like Nandu…I had no reference point. And I think that was a huge compliment for me from Farah when she said, ‘Well, I knew he could do it’. So, maybe she had confidence in me as an actor… I think you have to challenge yourself. I am the kind of person who, if I am not challenged, will become complacent. That’s my character and after 15 years, I have realised that.

So I need to do stuff I am really uncomfortable doing. I have to do stuff that gives me sleepless nights because I know that if I can do this with my eyes shut, I’ll literally sleepwalk through the film. So I want to do stuff that really makes me uncomfortable to give it that extra 100 percent. Maybe the reason, I was so energetic as Nandu. Because I was trying to give it my best. So I really hope I don’t find my comfort zone. I know the minute I find my comfort zone, I am only going to do that and I will hate that.”

One has always assumed that he chooses to act in films with multiple stars because he enjoys doing such films. But you would not be more wrong. He doesn’t quite see films like that “I am one of the few actors who doesn’t believe in this multi-starrer/solo-hero concept. I think the industry itself is very conflicted and confused as to what is a solostarrer and what is a multi-starrer. They say you should do solo films like Guru. I say ‘Hello, you have Aishwarya Rai, R Madhavan, Vidya Balan and Mithun Chakraborty in the film, so how is it a solo film?’ I believe every actor who is in front of the camera with you is a co-star, the size of the role really shouldn’t matter. They have as much at stake, they are giving as much an effort as you are, so why don’t they get as much of the credit? I find that a bit weird. And it’s something that I feel very strongly about. Very honestly, actors don’t think like this, the industry forces them to.

As far as I can remember, I have only done multi-starrer films. You don’t choose a film because it’s a multi-starrer because you’re secure in numbers… For me, a solo films means I am the only person in the film and I think that will be terribly boring, not just for me but for the audience as well. I think these are classifications that we in the film industry. I am not blaming anyone. But we, in the film industry, have to find this classification or have to define a film. I have a problem with defining a film in the first place.”

Defining a film is an irritant to him, but it isn’t the only one. He doesn’t quite understand how people critique a film, “I respect journalists — especially critics — because they face the challenge to talk dispassionately about a subject which is a product of passion. If I ask you to write a critique about the last film you liked, you have to break it down. A film is an emotional experience. When you go to see it, you either get taken away by it’s emotion or you don’t. But when I ask you for a detailed review, I am asking you to go against the very grain of how you watch a film. You have to pull away from that world of cinema and looking at it in bits.

Editing, songs, scenes, acting. So what I am saying is, it’s a very difficult job to be able to classify.

In our quest to classify everything, we come up with these denominations. It is said that if a film is too long, the editing is weak. That could not be the case. Maybe it’s the script which is too long. Editing is not to make the film short, that’s not the function of an editor, it’s to piece the story together. So I think there are a lot of these misconceptions that we have.”

One misconception that has been floating around is that Farah offered the role to John before it came to Abhishek.

He sets the record right, “Farah had told me the idea of Happy New Year right after Om Shanti Om. And her narration… I don’t know if I should take it as a compliment or be upset about how she offered HNY to me. She said, ‘Junior, you have to be in my next film’. So I said, ‘Okay, Farah Bia’ and she adds, ‘It’s the story of the world’s worst dancers.’ I don’t know if she thought that I am a really good actor and can play the part of a bad dancer or she considered me one of the world’s worst dancers.”

While some actors like to read scripts, others like to listen to them. How does Abhishek consume a film offered to him? “I prefer listening to them. And later, I read the script.

Because see, I believe that the first time you hear the narration, you should hear it from the perspective of the director. If I read it first, I’ll read it from my or an actor’s perspective which should not be the case because the film has to be made with the director’s perspective. So once you hear it from the director, and later read it, you are already fashioned how to see the film.”

All actors have a plan for every year. But sometimes the plans go awry for no fault of theirs. His film All Is Well has been delayed because Smriti Irani pulled out of the film to honour her political commitments. He seems strangely unaffected by it, “Well, such is life. It’s not intended, it is unfortunate but these things happen. You know Smriti has been given the great honour to be made a minister in our government. She has a huge responsibility to the country and I think that has to supersede what we are doing and everybody

who is part of the cast understood that and supported that.

It was very gracious of her to agree for the film to go on without her because not only as a politician but as an actor, I am sure it’s a difficult choice to make.”

Speaking of choices, his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan returns to the big screen and has started shooting for Jazbaa, after a long break for mommyhood. But doesn’t this change mean that he will now take out time from his schedule to be with their three-year-old daughter to make up for the missus’ absence, “Aishwarya is very sorted that way. Anyone who works with her knows that she is very organised. Now that she is back on the set, she has thought out everything and planned out everything. She is very particular and is immaculate as an actor and in all her other roles.”

He further adds that though she may have been away from her film set as she was working otherwise, whether it is her brand commitments or the causes she supports all the time balancing being a full-time mom, “She has also been busy with her commercials and all that. It’s not like that she hasn’t faced the camera at all…. She is going to be doing a film after Guzaarish, so it’s been almost five years now, about four-and-a-half years. When Sanjay (Gupta) pitched her the story — she has been listening to a lot of scripts — she went for it. At the end of the day, as an actor and a creative person, you can never shut shop. I think it’s very difficult because it’s pretty much part of your DNA. It takes that right catalyst or that spark to bring one back. Sanjay’s script is very nice. She told me the idea and the basic screenplay and it sounds very interesting. I think it’s a very interesting choice to make for a film for her and I think they will make a fantastic team.”

As do he and Aishwarya, one might add, make a great team as parents. He admits that parenthood has changed them, “I think any parent will say that they change on a daily basis, because you learn something new every day. The biggest change is that your sense of responsibility goes up. Before Aaradhya was born there was… ‘careless’ is the

wrong word, there was a carefree attitude that Aishwarya and I had. You are married, you are a couple, you are doing your job and leading your personal life… It’s great. But when the child comes into the whole mix, he or she person becomes the focus of everything that you do, personally and professionally.”

Aaradhya is already a celebrity in her own right. Does he realise she is the daughter of celebrities? “I don’t think she realises that; she is too young. But she sees us on posters and points out. However, I don’t think she has understood what that means. I get that because I went through a similar thing in my childhood. I mean, till I was seven or eight, I thought everybody had 100 people standing outside the house, because that’s the only life I knew. A lot of people think that it’s arrogant to think like that but you have to see from the child’s perspective. There is no other world they know of. Also, I am pretty sure Aaradhya thinks that the people standing outside her house are for her. She loves to wave at them.”

Amitabh Bachchan is a model son and parent. I ask if he has picked up a parenting tool from his dad and has applied it to bringing up his daughter? “My father has never ever raised his voice or his hand in my childhood. He made it a point to explain everything. He gave me a lot of dignity that way. If I think like a child, I would not like to be told to do something; and get to hear ‘Because I am telling you’ when I ask ‘why’?

Explain it to me. So I use that with her. I wouldn’t want to just order her around. If I tell her to do something, I explain this is why you have to do this. Children pick up tone, so you have to be sensitive to tone as well.”

Over the last one year, one has seen him getting involved in other activities like kabaddi and football.

Is it pure passion or business? “It started from passion but I always knew it would become a business.

I’d be a fool if I did a project out of a passion where I was just spending tons of money. There has to be a business model which there was in place before I went into it. So the reason for doing it was passion but the reason to sustain it has to be business.” So how good is he at

running a business? “I don’t think I have a good business head, but I think I’m okay. I did A-Level in Economics, so I know the basics and the rest you learn on the way.”

Economics is all about supply and demand, how can we not talk about the sudden supply of newer and younger lot who are now making their presence felt. Suddenly there’s not just competition not just from his seniors, but his juniors too. How does he cope with that? “I don’t think about competition or about any of them. And I don’t mean that in a brash way. I genuinely don’t because the way I look at it, if I am doing, for example, a Nandu and if I am only thinking about my competition and how they can do this role, I am not going to be thinking about how I am going to do this role. I have to concentrate on how best I can do it and convince myself to do it. At that point of time, you don’t really think about anybody else. You’re on set, you have got the job, you are doing it, and doing it to your best. I have huge respect for all my colleagues, my seniors and the juniors. What’s wonderful about the younger lot that are coming in, is that they have a different approach and it’s so refreshing to see that. As an actor, you need to be receptive to all of this. You learn so many new things. They have new expressions, a new approach to a role, they essay or portray a character in a way which you might not have thought of because there are different thought processes. I think you have to respect that.”

He explains his live-and-let-live theory, “So in terms of competition… I don’t look at acting as a competitive field because I have never really understood… I hate to put it in the context of awards, but let’s say if I am nominated for Nandu and Shah Rukh is nominated for Charlie and Sonu is nominated for Jag and Bomsi and Vivaan for their characters. Now if they give the award to Shah Rukh.

What I don’t get is: In an exam, everybody gives the same paper, right? In a film how can you judge that Shah Rukh did the best Charlie, but I could have done the best Nandu.

Could Shah Rukh have done Nandu? Or could I have done Charlie? You don’t know. So there is no real standard in that real sense that is everybody is doing different different roles.”

Speaking of different roles, his father is having the most exciting phase in his career — with films like Shamitabh and Piku, I ask if do they discuss films before signing them on? “No, not before. We inform each other, but we have never asked each other, ‘Should I do this film or should I do that?’” Why would you not take advantage of someone’s expertise in the family, I ask a little surprised. “I try not to

go to him. Also, I try not to ask him for tips for my role, but there are times when I just have to, but I try not to. I don’t know… somewhere there is a son who has got to prove to his parents that I have done it on my own and you should be proud of me. It’s not about an ego trip of mine. Maybe I want to give an opportunity, to them — as a son — to say ‘Hey, look! He did all this by himself’ and I think there is no greater moment as a parent. Today, as a parent, I get that. I still remember I taught myself how to swim and how to ride a bike. I was seven-year-old. I rode my bike without the support wheels and I remember I called my dad to see me riding and he was so happy and asked me when I learned it. He still says, “I remember when you rode a bike by yourself.’ So may be somewhere that as a son, you want to give your parents that moment to say that to you.”

The biggest lesson he’s learnt after spending 15 years in this industry? “Stay true to your own cause because along the way there will be many speed breakers and hurdles which will almost force you to question yourself. Many a times where I doubted myself, I still do. There are many a times when so many people advise you, you want to heed that because that makes sense to you but that might be going against what you believe in and I have done that as well. Sometimes most of the advice is very good. Some of them that make a lot of sense but it’s completely not you, those are the tough ones to grapple with. So, I would say, just believe in yourself and just do what you really believe in because at the end of the day you are the one who is going to perform in front of the camera. So, stay true to your cause.

The last three years have been super-successful for him.

Ask him what’s the one film this year that will keep that will keep that flag flying. He says, “I don’t know which ones are going to release. I know All Is Well will definitely release.

I don’t know about the other three, be it the new Housefull, Hera Pheri or Vashuji’s next. And no, I’ve not started shooting for any of them.”

His sister Shweta Bachchan Nanda is now a columnist. I ask him about his one hidden talent nobody knows about?

He shoots back, “I’m very good at coaxing my sister to write for me. I got her to write one or two of my English papers when I was in college. What is my hidden talent? I like cooking. I’m not very regular with it, but I really enjoy it. My daals are not very good and I am trying to master laal maans right now. I know how to cook it, but for the right amount of time is difficult, but thanks to the amount of time I spent in Jaipur, I learnt a lot.”

Bigg Boss is not my cup of tea “Shah Rukh Khan” The actor takes a trip down memory lane, reminiscing his good ol’ TV days and discussing how the medium has evolved over the decades…

The first TV star to have truly made it big in B-Town, Shah Rukh Khan stands as a towering inspiration for actors looking to make the leap from the small screen to the big one. Two-and-a-half decades later, he reminisces about the “good old TV days” as he readies to host &TV’s new quiz show — India Poochega Sabse Shaana Kaun? Here, he keenly talks about his new stint with IPSSK, explaining why he won’t ever do a Bigg Boss or be a judge on a reality show…

You’re one of the few actors to successfully make the transition from TV star to movie star…

If that’s the case, I’m also the only guy who came from films to television and hasn’t succeeded again. So I need to succeed at TV because that’s where it all started.

With all due respect to KBC and Paanchvi Paas and Wipeout, I don’t think I have been able to recreate the magic of Fauji or Dil Dariya or Ummeed or Wagle Ki Duniya or Circus again.

From Fauji to India Poochega Sabse Shanaa Kaun, a lot has changed on Indian television. Comment.

Unfortunately or fortunately, I am bound by the fact that I like to do a certain kind of television. It may be fiction, which I don’t know if that will ever happen. If that’s non-fiction, I like the question-answer type. I am not very turned on by the other reality shows. The shows are really wonderful, but I am not turned on by the idea of hosting it. Somewhere down the line I need to understand. I have a team — the &TV team that tells me — ‘Look, we need to do it like this’. Now that is not my forte — knowing what the market is like. So I try my best learning it from the people I work with. But I hope that someday, I can re-create the magic of Fauji. Inshallah!

You love the Q&A format of the game, but it has not worked for you previously. India Poochega has a novel concept. Do you think it will help you redeem yourself on television?

I don’t do any work for redemption. Having said that, if you keep doing something long enough and are good enough with the passion that you have and the hard work that you put in, it will work one day. It cannot go wrong. This is what my experiences have made me believe. So I have worked for 25 years and when I made films, I went wrong. When I became a producer, I went wrong. It might sound arrogant but it’s absolutely not that way. But then I went on to make few of the biggest films made in Bollywood after having made some films that did not do well. You cannot have instant success. Success can only happen instantly when you are new. The biggest problem of success is that you lose the ability to surprise people. You lose the freedom to go wrong. So yes, we have to keep doing it again and again. With the talent, hard work and the team that we have presently on India Poochega, we want to bring something to the table that is new and different. So if you go wrong once, you try again. You go wrong again but you cannot stop trying and striving for the better. You keep on trying till you get it right and shifting, changing and evolving with the team you work with.

So hopefully, with the &TV team and India Poochega Sabse Shaana Kaun?, I will be able to create something that will be new on television and entertain people. I don’t know how big or small it will be but that won’t stop me from trying.

Does criticism bog you down or hurt you?

Criticism hurts me, but I don’t get bogged down. I am a different kind of a person. The more you tell me I am wrong, I will try and do it again and again to prove it to you that it’s right in the long run. I have no other reason to be doing what I can — to be able to entertain. If I have done it for 25 years, now it’s my duty. It’s like a responsibility on me. I don’t want to sound pompous but I have been doing this for so long that now I am like, ‘Can I do something new?’ I think people who are at the top of their game should try doing new stuff every time. I get really impressed by people who are different and they try something new and then I’m like ‘They have nothing to lose’. If the person who has the most to lose does not try something new, then there’s something wrong

for sure. I’ve played the game long enough now to know that if I go wrong whatever number of times — be it with VFX, RA.One, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, KKR or other TV shows, it won’t pull me down. You have to believe that new things do get understood by some people. As an artiste, it’s our duty to explain that what we are doing may not have adhered to your sensibilities right now, but this may be the thing you like later on.

So many offers might have come to you after KBC or after Wipeout. Why choose India Poochega?

There have not been many offers! (Laughs) I think after Wipeout, I got busy and there were only one or two offers, but they were already on TV. I need to do something that I feel happy doing. I wake up in the morning and work 20 hours a day. So if I don’t feel happy, I won’t be able to pass on that happiness. It’s not at all for money. Unfortunately, I like the Q&A format a lot more. I do it all the time with my kids. They like it and I enjoy it. I like to be the host of a quiz show because in spite of what others might think about me, I feel I am an intelligent person. So I need to do this. I like people winning money and the other things that I have been offered have never interested me. Love and work — if it does not turn you on, don’t do it!

Will we never see you turn judge for a reality show?

I have been a judge on reality shows, when we go for film promotions. I am the worst at judging people. I like everyone and I want to give everyone a 10 on 10. I don’t like judging anyone. When I was judging Miss India and the other one — Grasim Mr India, both times I faced difficulties judging the people. One time, I was sitting in the parking lot and I told Maureen (Wadia) that I cannot select one person. I asked her to tell me who she likes and who

the best is, I will just come and announce it. Same thing happened during Miss India. That time, Waheedaji, Juhi and Azharuddin were on the panel so I asked them to select unko jo bhi achche laage. That’s one thing I cannot do at all.

No Bigg Boss as well?

With due respect to all the other shows, I don’t think I am fit for anything other than the shows I have been associated with. As for Bigg Boss, no it’s not my cup of tea. In terms of how the contestants lead their lives and all, it’s a beautiful show.

And I think Salman does it really well andFarah’s done it really well too. I see snippets of it. People in my house see it. I have never been intrigued to host it. But yes, watching it as an audience, I am open to seeing Bigg Boss. As a host, I don’t think I will be very good at it.

There’s an amicable synergy building between the mediums of films and TV… I am not exploring. I started here. The other people who are doing it and exploring the medium are all fantastic. Salman, I believe is fabulously watchable as a host. Even Dus Ka Dum was very cool and now he’s doing Bigg Boss. I am sorry, but I can’t speak like this about Salman or Aamir, but generically, I don’t think actors think like that. They think of it the other way — that this is the show which has attracted me so what can I add to the show? People enjoy themselves on the small screen and that’s why Salman or Aamir do it. Aamir really loves the social service stuff that he does and is very pertinent of his ideas. He’s happy doing it. For me, I am a television star hoping to be a film star. So when I become a film star, I will try to be a TV star again. I am still struggling, but these guys are good at their job.

You have also said that you are more interested in Western sitcoms than an Indian soap or serial. Why? I can’t understand Indian TV and I ‘ll be honest about it. I am sorry Zee TV, &TV, Sony TV, Star or Colors, but I don’t understand television stuff here at all. I am too urban for it. Maybe I am too uneducated or unemotional. I sell all that myself in my films but I don’t understand that on TV. I don’t know who devranis and jethanis are. I come from a different kind of family, so I don’t understand all that. I understand good story-telling. Even the Indian 24 was beautiful. I like Prison Break. Actually, let me be very honest, when television started early on, there were shows like Hum Log, Fauji, Buniyaad, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Wagle Ki Duniya, Nukkad. They had more essence and were funny, entertaining yet edgy and different. There was a TV series with another fantastic serial which Kitu Gidwani was a part of and was based on Moonlight. Even Hum Paanch and Indradhanush were interesting. It’s not a comment on what people are making today because at the end of it, it’s a business and people want to make sure it works. Maybe the choices were less back then which is why these shows got more attraction. Today, the choice is a lot in terms of the number of channels that we have today. The choice and content is very narrow. Nobody wants to take a chance and go wrong. The channels should try and take more risks now because sometimes you need to create an audience. People say, ‘Log dekhte nahi hai’. Par aapne dikhaya kya hai? Failing one time does not mean it was rejected. It simply means that they were not ready for it.

So we need to do it again. If you give the audience enough choices, they will make some interesting choices too.

Do you ever see yourself doing a fictional show on TV? If they can afford me! But I doubt television can afford me.

What if the makers create a special character for you?

They still won’t be able to afford me. I am very spoiled (smiles). I would love to do if it’s something really amazing as a character.

Sometimes, I sit down with my friends and discuss it each time we meet. So I tell them, ‘Let’s do it, let’s do it’. But eventually, I understand that they want me to do things that work, not the stuff that’s risky but I can make it work. I kind of get out of the room quietly without telling them. I am a little bound when it comes to films but on television, I would like to sacrifice everything to be a part of a really nice show. I was joking about the price and all. You allow me to come on television because it reaches homes without a huge amount of charge. I have said it even when I was not a big star that a door knob can be a star on television. It all depends on how you film your story. When I talk to the channel heads, they are initially very excited about the idea I have. But eventually the novelty of the idea gets lost. They will tell me, ‘aisa karna padega. We have to make 52 episodes and we have to make these changes’ and it becomes really difficult to teach them the process. So, I just take myself out of it.

VARUN DHAWAN SEEKS REVENGE IN ‘BADLAPUR’!

He is the son of hit director David Dhawan and some of the charmed luck seems to have smiled on Varun Dhawan as he is the new age teen icon with successful films like Student of the Year, Main Tera Hero, and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya. But now he goes for a drastic image change as a father and an ad executive who seeks revenge against his tormentors. We spoke to the energetic and enthusiastic Varun about his new film.

Reportedly you have done a serious role in the film ‘Badlapur’.

Yes. It’s a typical Sriram Raghavan dark noir psychological thriller with lots of action and thrills but no gore.

I play a father and a regular ad executive for whom things take a turn and he goes on a killing spree seeking revenge.

Isn’t this image change a risk for you at this point of your career?

Yes. It’s true but I have always admired Sriram as a director and when he came to me with this offer after the success of Student of the Year I was a bit skeptical and considered this offer for five days and then I asked Sriram why did he consider me for Badlapur, he said because of my eyes which were innocent. I immediately gave my consent for the film.

You have an able actor like Nawazuddin Siddique as your antagonist.

Yes. And what powerful eyes he has and staring into his eyes made me nervous while giving my shots. I remember our shoot in a real jail

surrounded by rapists, murderers and criminals of all kinds and Nawazuddin was all at home among them while I was shivering with fright.

Will it be your first A rated film?

Yes. Maybe. But I still believe that for children and the youth who are so exposed to action and gore and bloodshed on television and films, this film is quite normal and it carries a message for the youth and a moral at the end of the film.

How did you prepare for your role in the film?

I had a beard to grow and make my voice a little bit gruff and make my physique a little bit bulky and I was into my character for so many days that I carried it home too and my mother was shocked (laughs).

Reportedly you have a kissing scene in the film.

Yes. I have a kissing scene with Divya Dutta who plays my wife in the film. The film also stars Huma Querishi, and Radhika Apte in the film.

Your thoughts on Sriram Raghavan as a director.

He is mild mannered and soft spoken unlike his films and one can never believe that Sriram Raghavan is capable of such films but when he explains a scene to the actor he goes all out and really enters the character of the film robustly.

Reportedly you punched Vinay Pathak during a scene in the film.

Yes. It was accidentally done and I immediately apologized to Vinay and he was rendered first aid immediately and Vinay being Vinay ,he was immediately joking about it.

How was it like shooting for the film?

It was tough on me as I was shooting for my first action thriller and I can’t say whether I enjoyed doing this stuff. There is a lot of content which is bold and chilling.

Why Badlapur as the title? Is it something to do with the suburb called Badlapur?

No. Not at all. It’s a revenge drama and Badla signifies the revenge and hence the title.

What next?

I will be doing my brother Rohit Dhawan’s next film with John Abraham who is a family friend. The film will go on the floors soon.

By Sandeep Hattangadi

I feel that actors fake it when they say that they got depressed after doing a role Akshay Kumar

Akshay on why he won’t chase festival release dates, but will continue to chase people pooping outside his house…

I have known Akshay Kumar for two decades now. And I have never heard him complain once. About anything. His rivals, the weather, busy schedule backache, headache, or life in general. Worse, he won’t let you complain about anything or gossip about anyone. He makes light of most things and laughs off everything from rumours to speculation. He is the most disciplined man I have ever met. A star who works four times as hard as his contemporaries, and still finds time for everything he wants. From his fitness regime, to his endorsements and social commitments. From live performances to annual month-long family holiday. I often marvel at how he makes time for everything but then he does wake up at 4 am! And is notorious for having 6 am meetings. Luckily, my appointment is at his office, one floor above his home, at 3.30 in the afternoon. But on my way there, I am directed to his home, where he is having his lunch.

He informs me that it is his dinner.

His wife Twinkle is sitting by his side in a pink kaftan, with son Aarav walking in and out of the room, seconds later his mother-in-law Dimple Kapadia walks in. I begin to feel like an intruder in this family scene and we soon head to another room (his kids’ play room, where he proudly points to a beautiful wall painted by his 11-year-old) and we settle down to chat about his latest release Baby, how he is now veering towards meaningful films and why he thinks actors are faking with method acting.

You are the man of the moment. Baby is holding steady even in the second week. How does it feel?

It feels good. First of all, it was a honour to work with Neeraj Panday again. He makes very good movies. He extracts stories from reality and puts them together. He is not the kind of director who watches Hollywood DVDs and makes films. He is one of the very few original writers who pens a script from his mind and makes the film. He doesn’t believe in taking inspiration from other films. His films always have a message. He is a very honest director and I feel lucky that I got a chance to work with him.

As Ajay Singh Rathore, you didn’t step out of the character even once. Knowing that you love to improvise on the sets, was this tough? Did you have to work hard on that or did you just follow Neeraj’s vision?

I just followed him. There are some movies which need improvisation like a Housefull. Even a Hera Pheri, it needs improvisation. There are some films like these where it happens… Or like when I played a cop’s role in Rowdy Rathore, then I get to improvise. But not in a film like Baby, which revolves around a sensitive and a real incident. You cannot go out of your character. I am lucky enough to work with different kinds of directors.

You have suddenly started being part of what is considered good cinema. Apart from still being part of hardcore commercial films. What’s the thought behind that?

That’s what I have done all my life. I did Special 26, 8X10 Tasveer, OMG! Oh My God…What happens is with my career, I always try to do different kinds of subjects. I don’t want to be having just one image, like after this I am doing Housefull.

I think it started with Sangharsh. I used to do commercial films before because I didn’t have the mindset to do any other kind of cinema. I couldn’t relate to that, plus at that time, I just wanted to earn money and that would come only with commercial cinema. But now I am in a position where I can take risks. I can cut my price into half and do a small film with the subject of my liking, which will give me critical acclaim because it all depends on me. I am doing a film called Airlift. It’s a very serious film and I can do it now. To me nothing else matters if I like a script, I just do it. I experiment a lot with myself.

You have never had a Diwali or a Eid release.

Deliberate?

I have three to four releases in a year. I am not going to

wait for a Diwali release, have those big releases… I want to release my films whenever they are ready. It does matter with those kind of dates. There are too many people aiming for those festival dates, so I don’t hanker after them.

But big festival holidays ensure big bucks. Why would you not want your films to release then?

They should. But it all depends on my producers, when my films are ready and what date they want to release it.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I finish my films very fast and it doesn’t make sense for my producers to wait till the festival season at the end of the year to release their films.

Like, I just started Brothers and it’s almost done. I am exactly 10 days away to finishing it. I finished Gabbar in August, 2014. Finshed means there is no shooting left. We decided to make Brothers somewhere around September last year and we are through with it.

Was Baby the most physically exhausting film you have done?

No, Baby was not exhausting. Brothers is exhausting. It has been the most physically exhausting film I have ever worked on. The action was tough and I reharsed a lot because it was a different kind of action. Also, I had to lose a lot of weight for this role. It’s a very physical part, not emotionally draining.

Which role left you emotionally drained?

No, I am not that kind of an actor who gets into the character so much. I just don’t get too deep into a role to affect me once I leave the set. I personally feel that actors fake it when they say that they got depressed after doing a role. I don’t know what actors mean when they say ‘Arey yaar, main character ke andar itna ghoos gaya hoon that I cannot come out. It’s taken me three months to come out of the character.’ I can understand if they say they were affected for a day or two perhaps…

I remember reading about this scene between Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. They had a scene together where Pacino had to pant as if he had come running and deliver his lines to De Niro. So, Pacino went a long distance, ran and came running but when he reached his spot, he forgot his lines. Again he went back and ran a kilometre and he messed up his line. So then he was about to go behind and De Niro caught his hand, and said “Listen now can you try acting?’’ My approach is the same. Act like you have run and come. You don’t have to actually run. So don’t get into the part to the point it spills into your life. It’s

called acting. So just act!

So you are saying no role has ever affected you that much?

I have played many disturbing characters whether it’s Sangharsh or Janwaar… and nothing affected me more than a day. If you see Marlon Brando, all these big actors, the so-called kings of acting, you will never hear them talking like this. It’s okay I can understand if you say that I am still feeling that character for a day… but after that, chal na, abhi khatam ho gaya.

You’ve spent over 20 years and done over 130 films — does the release of a new film still bring the butterflies?

Yes it does. And if it doesn’t work, then I am sad but only till Monday night. After that I have to carry on. I remember talking to Mr. Bachchan about this long back, I don’t know whether he would remember it. But I said to him, ‘Sir, kabhi kabhi films nahi chalti, how does one deal with that?’ He said ‘Akshay, no problem, look straight, carry on ahead, work for your next film. Don’t take it too seriously.”

When an actor of that caliber says: Don’t take it to your heart, otherwise you won’t be able to work for your next movie. You’ll destroy the next person’s film and points out that there is nothing you can do. It didn’t work, it didn’t work; you have to go ahead.

You’re the only actor from your generation to sport a salt-and-pepper look on and offscreen.

Why should I hide it? I have been working for the last 25 years. I am in my 40s. I have salt and pepper hair and stubble. Why should I hide it? I am even ready to age on screen. People should stop asking actors these questions. Why is this thinking only here? Why is it a problem?

Everyone follows the west, so why not when it comes to this? Tom Cruise plays a old man in Tropic Thunder, he plays a old, fat, bald Jewish guy. I loved that. Why can’t we have that here?

Also, while most other actors of your generation shy away from working with younger heroes, you’re the first one to take the plunge with Brothers, where you share screen with Sidharth Malhotra.

Again, look in Hollywood, no one questions this aspect.

You see the biggest of actors does one-minute roles in films. If a guy is making a film and if there is a small three-minute role also, the biggest of actors do it. I want to change that thought. And I can try and change it with my actions. So I am doing Brothers and am open to doing

more such films. The role has to be good. Who else is in the film, how big is his role should not matter.

Over the last few years, you’ve had three-four releases a year. Are you planning to continue doing that?

I will continue to do all kinds of films. So I will balance serious films with a Housefull 3. Because if all I do are serious films, I will become a very depressed person. I can’t do that. I need my Sajid-Farhad and I need to laugh, I need my Riteish Deshmukh… But yes, to answer your question, I will continue making three-four releases a year.

I have been doing that from the beginning of my career.

It’s not a new thing.

Even SRK, Aamir and Salman did that at the beginning of their careers, but not once they became superstars.

Yes, that’s changing now. And it will change more.

You think they’ll do more films every year now?

Let’s not get into that.

People are actually praying to work with me!

Kangana Ranaut Looks like we have a new Bollywood goddess! And that is none other than the newest Queen of B-town Kangana Ranaut claims that she’s in demand! The actress who has snubbed all awards this year despite being nominated in the best actress category for her movie Queen says this is just the beginning. The bindaas babe ditches modesty and reveals how she’s the most sought after heroine in the industry.

Trust Kangana to surprise you with her attitude and not so guarded answers. In a recent interview the Fashion actress clarified her equation with the Kahaani director and said, “Sujoy (Ghosh) and I never had any differences. He texted me asking why I wasn’t going for the Filmfare Awards given that it was my year. I told him every year is my year. Queen is just the beginning.

I continue to be get offers. People are actually praying to work with me. And I continue to win awards even in absentia so Sujoy can do a celebratory jig. People like him, Anandji and Nikhil who love and respect me and have made this journey memorable.”

That’s not it when asked about her going the Aamir Khan way, this what Ms Ranaut had to say, “”You’re awarding a performance not a person so it’s disrespectful to make attendance a pre-condition. My Queen cinematographer, Bobby Singh, is no longer in this world, but his work deserves to be acknowledged posthumously. I may be shooting or unwell on that day. But that shouldn’t stop anyone from recognizing my performance.”

Deepika PadukoneIrrfan Khan starrer Piku’s PR shoot looks unusual and hilarious, say “Amitabh Bachchan”

The Shoojit Sircar directorial will hit screens on April 30 Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who surprises his fans with each film, says “unusual works” will back his next movie Piku.

“The shoot for the PR of Piku has begun and there are some most unusual works being done. Today we were a part of it along with Deepika (Padukone) and Irrfan (Khan).

Unfortunately, I am not permitted to expose them here, but may I just say that they all look rather unusual and hilarious,” the 72-year-old wrote on his official blog srbachchan.tumblr.com Monday.

Big B will be seen playing the role of Deepika’s father in the film, which is directed by Shoojit Sircar, and majorly shot in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, remembering the shooting days of 1976 drama-thriller film Do Anjaane, Amitabh also posted a black and white photograph in which he is shooting for the song Luk chup luk chup.

“This is Calcutta 1975 and the shooting of a delightful film Do Anjaane. Deewar had just released the previous day of travel to the city and the reception at Grand Hotel and the city was phenomenal…getting in and out of the Hotel was an army operation,” “This moment was the shooting of a song ‘Luk chup luk chup jaao naa…’ with the little kid. It was shot at the famous Botanical Gardens across the river Hoogly,” Big B says he used to carry a camera with him to capture moments on shootings. In the photograph, he is seen clicking the crowd on the other side of the lake.

Becoming a producer was never on my mind Anushka Sharma The actress will be seen playing the lead in her upcoming production venture, NH10 Actress Anushka Sharma, who has donned the producer’s hat with forthcoming thriller NH10, says becoming a producer was never on her mind – but the film’s content helped her take the plunge.

“Becoming a producer was never on my mind. It was not pre-meditative, but this film evoked a feeling in me to become a producer,” Anushka said here Thursday during the trailer launch of NH10. ”I felt so strongly for this film that I wanted to back it in this way and I wanted to be a part of this film completely,” added the actress, who has acted in the movie as well.

Also starring Neil Bhoopalam, NH10 is about a road trip that that transforms a romantic getaway into a complete nightmare. The film seems to have everything as its trailer shows violence, brutal murder, abuses and merciless an-

tagonists. The 26-year-old further says that as a producer, she wants to deliver good stories to the audience.

“As an actor, I have always tried to do good films and stories. I want to work with good directors. So I don’t think this format is going to change ever if I am going to involve in movies in any other way as a producer,” Anushka, who made her acting debut with Yash Raj Films’ Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, said. ”I want to show a good story to the people and that’s my idea. That’s the way I want my career to go,” she added.

NH10 is being directed by Navdeep Singh.

“We have tried to make this film as real as possible. We have stayed as true to the story as possible because we had such a great story in hand and we all loved it so much,” Anushka said.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui I am quite looking forward to work with SRK The breakthrough actor talks about work-

ing with SRK, comparisons with Irrfan Khan, Hollywood and a lot more in this EXCLUSIVE conversation with BollywoodLife We’ve celebrated his performances as Faizal Khan in Gangs Of Wasseypur, the IB Officer A Khan in Kahaani and Shaikh in The Lunchbox and now as Liak Tungekar in Badlapur, but it’s hard to pin Nawazuddin Siddiqui down as any one of them: he is the common man on the streets, blending with the crowd as expertly as he stands out with his performances.

Till a few years ago, few film goers including me had heard of Nawazuddin Siddiqui. But today he has made an enviable name for himself on the global stage as well as in his birth country, and remains popular with both the audiences as well as the critics.

So naturally, my happiness knew no bounds when I was told I have to interview the man himself. Finally, I got in touch with him and here’s how our conversation went down…

Everyone’s saying how you have overshadowed Varun Dhawan in Badlapur. Comment.

I don’t think any actor should have that fear of getting overshadowed by someone. One should just focus on how the audience is accepting their film and whether people are liking it or not. It’s really as simple as that.

Despite an A certificate, the movie is faring well at the box office. Do you think it will make Rs 100 crore?

I don’t know yaar. But personally I am very happy looking at the kind of response that the movie has got despite of the World Cup. With a tremendous word of mouth, I am sure it will do well.

What are your thoughts on this trend of Rs 100 crore club that is there in Bollywood today?

Honestly, I don’t believe it in at all. As I said, people should like the movie and that should be the only criteria to measure the success of a film.

There was a time when villains were as popular as the heroes. Do you think that time has returned with you getting prominent roles as an antagonist?

I have a slightly different opinion on this. Because the character that I played in Badlapur was way more than that of a villain. He is endearing but at the same time he is cunning. Yes, no doubt I have come from that school of cinema and I have seen villains and heroes onscreen during my childhood, but today lines have been blurred. There are no heroes and villains, there are just characters and that is how it should be.

You were always seen as a serious actor doing only art cinema, but today you are doing a lot of commercial films as well. Why did you make this switch?

I just want to tell stories my way and same goes for the films that I want to do. For example, I can’t say if Badlapur is an arty or a commercial film, but people are loving it and that’s what important. Take The Lunchbox as another example. It did a lot of business overseas. In fact, it’s the first small budget Hindi film to make that kind of money abroad. So what will we call such a film? Because by the looks it comes across as an arty film, but then if you look at the numbers, one can also call it commercial cinema, right? Art films were made ages ago and those kind of films were seen by few people, but that kind of cinema has vanished with time. I just believe that cinema today is either bad or it’s good.

Last year you did Kick, which was a huge success and now you are getting a lot of appreciation for your stellar act in Badlapur. Do you think that you are finally getting the credit that was due?

Yes and it’s a good thing. A bit late but very good nonetheless. Sometimes I think if I had got all these films five years back, probably I wouldn’t be as grounded as I am now. It helps that way.

But then don’t you have the fear of getting stereotyped?

Only heroes get stereotyped in Bollywood. I am doing characters that have so many layers. And I am very lucky to show a lot of variety. The problem is that our heroes have been stereotyped right from the ’60s and it hasn’t

changed even till today. It’s high time it does.

Tell me about your future projects I am working on Ketan Mehta’s Mountain Man and then there is Ghoomketu, which is an out-an-out comedy film.

I am going to start shooting for Raees very soon. And Bajrangi Bhaijaan is halfway done.

Hollywood is not on cards?

I think I am at a point where the kind of films that are being made here are no less than any international film. So if my movies are already going to Hollywood, why do I need to star in theirs?

You are working with Shah Rukh Khan for the first time, while with Salman for the second time…

And it feels great. I am quite looking forward to work with Shah Rukh. As for Salman, we didn’t really bond while shooting for Kick, but this time we spent a great deal of time.

You and Irrfan Khan have been compared many a times.

Do you feel irritated with these constant comparisons?

Of course I does get a bit irritating, because he is a very senior actor and I respect him a lot. So I don’t feel good when something like this happens. And it’s not just with Irrfan. If tomorrow anyone compares me to Dilip Kumar, I wouldn’t like it a bit. Each individual is different. By comparing, people are only insulting both of us. Neither they are understanding his craft, nor mine.

People have double standards about violence and sex

Varun Dhawan

Varun on his upcoming ‘emotional’ release and more…

Varun Dhawan is late for his interview, but makes up for his tardiness by being open and honest about all the queries thrown at him. He speaks about his biggest fears, “My biggest nightmare is that no-one will want to watch my films!” With the kind of massive female fan following he has, Varun’s last fear should be dreading an empty cinema hall. Read on for excerpts from my chat with Varun as he reveals why he agreed to play a 40-year-old despite being advised against it in his upcoming film, Badlapur and a lot more…

Isn’t doing Badlapur a big risk at this point in your career?

I think it is, but I don’t care, because at the end of the day I am doing this film because there are people who want to watch this kind of cinema. There are two sides of a coin, life is happy but it is sad as well. So, if the three films that I did showed the happy side of life in a surreal, fantastic way, then I should also be doing a film that shows the other side of life — which is extremely sad and dark also.

If people live, they also die, if they laugh, they also cry, so it’s important that our films reflect that, too.

Why hide it? I signedBadlapur after Student Of The Year, but I shot it last year. It is an amazing script,

it’s based on true events and it’s a thriller which is true to its genre. Also, I did those three happy films and after that, I could not smile anymore. Like if one more person told me to smile I would have literally punched him! I had reached a saturation point in happiness, I couldn’t fake that happiness anymore, what I wanted to do was cry and be angry, show those emotions. Lot of actors told me, ‘Are you mad? Why have you signed this film? I was like, ‘Because I want to tell this story’.”

Was it a challenge to break the image of the boy-next-door and then, play a 40-year-old man in the film?

I am 27. My friends told me to do this film. They pushed me to do something radical and different. On TV, you watch stuff like Dexter, The Walking Dead, so you are anyway seeing so much violence and bloodshed so what are we shying away from it on the big screen? I signed Badlapureven before I had success because I am a huge fan of the genre. I love thrillers. A few good films have made that cater to this audience. I think Kahaani was the last good film in this category. Also, Badlapur had a lot of scope for me to emote and show my acting chops. If I wanted to do a normal revenge film playing my age, I could have done anything else.

What sets you apart from other actors?

Working with Sriram Raghavan. I have been directed by him. Nobody else has that right now.

Do you have a plan for the next few years or are you picking stuff randomly?

See, we are evolving, we are changing by the minute.

Often, we do stuff that was working three years back, but in 2015 what do people want to watch, what’s the music they want to hear, everything is constantly changing and evolving, you have to think ahead, so in 2015, I will pick stuff that will work in 2016. My whole idea is to do something new and not pakao people.

What percentage of your career choices are your

own and how much are they your dad’s or your brother’s?

All my choices are my own! Obviously, I discuss my films with my brother and Karan (Johar).Badlapur is definitely 5000 per cent my own choice. Everyone around me said not do it.

I would like to add that I have seen the film and it isn’t boring, it’s quite entertaining.

Including your dad?

Yes even he said that. Everyone said don’t do this film.

But I heard the story and I was like, ‘I have to do this!’

What new did you learn about yourself after making this film ?

I learnt that I can take a lot more than I thought. Every person has a breaking point. In Badlapur, I got pushed to such an extent that I reached my breaking point and we still carried on. I had an emotional and physical breakdown while making this film. I remember there is this scene with Nawaz where I was so mindf****d! We were shooting at some 3 am, and I had to say some lines to him. I remember I was so spaced out that I repeated those dialogues to him 16 times in the take. I kept saying the same thing, and I thought I said it only once. Sriram took me on the side, he tried to tell me some joke and get me to snap me out of it. Because the mood had become very weird. In fact I have the whole thing on a CD that I have kept with myself. It wasn’t acting anymore, something inside me had just twisted, it wasn’t Raghu, my character, but Varun who was reacting in that manner.

Spooky! Did you have to unlearn anything to play this character?

I am very hyper and always bouncing off the walls. Here I had to let go of my energy and just be still. I had emote through my eyes which I haven’t done before and that was so important in this film. Also, we shot in real locations, I shot in a real jail, in a real morgue, I saw dead bodies lying around me, how freaky is that! The visual of dead bodies around you and that smell stays on your skin.

During the making of the film, I remember being so angry all the time and taking it out on some people.

Are you a vengeful person in real life?

Not to the extent that am shown in the film. I would be in jail! But Badlapur broke a part of me and it broke certain relationships in my life also because probably those people didn’t understand me and moved away. It’s always going to be the most emotional film that I have done. Badlapur is a sexy film, not in the sexual way, but in terms of technique, styling, look, feel.

Have you shown the film to anyone ?

Some people have seen it. I wanted to show it to them and ask them, ‘main pagal toh nahi hoon‘. I have two childhood friends who I show my work to and who are extremely honest about my work. So parts that they didn’t like, we reshot them.

Do you think violence and sex is still looked down upon in our society?

I think people have double standards about violence and sex overall. It’s so much a part of our daily life, yet we are critical about it. Like if you look at a traditional summer blockbuster it has more violence than any of the other smaller films. Or there is more skin show in it. Like I have exposed more in Student of the Year than anyone has in Badlapur. The difference is that in this film the action is going to actually look real, because lot of physical fights are real. Vinay Pathak has actually fractured his arm, I have been choked for 40 seconds and turned blue, I have hit Nawaz in a scene and there was actual contact. I have a very violent scene with Huma (Qureshi) where she cried after we cut it. I think people are ready for such real action.

Is there something that you constantly tell yourself ?

I talk a lot to myself. In fact, if someone sees me alone they might want to check me into a clinic. I am very reactive to music, I do that a lot.

Who do you think is your biggest competition among Sidharth, Ranveer, Sushant, Arjun?

See if you ask me this same question on the day my film is releasing with them, then competition comes in. But I have a solo release, so am not competing with anyone in that sense. I watch films to get inspired and enjoy them. I recently saw Birdman and loved it. Even PK and Haider.

But you have to be your own individual at the end of the day.

You are rumoured to be a part of so many upcoming films…

Half Girlfriend – not been approached. Ram Lakhan remake – not approached. And the remake of Fault in our Stars – I just don’t have the time right now to do this, maybe next year.

So what are the films that you are working on?

There’s ABCD2, then my brother’s films, then Shashank Khaitan’s film for Dharma You are also playing Shah Rukh’s brother in Rohit Shetty’s film?

I can’t comment on that. It’s too early to say anything.

You recently said that you won’t marry an actress…

I am not standing by what I said recently — that I won’t marry an actress. I think I made a stupid statement. I admit to that now I should not have said that.

DEEPIKA RAJ (MODEL/ACTOR)

Age WORK PROFILE ACHIEVEMENTS Winner of miss glamorous of gujarat 2013

- 23yrs

work with conceptual pictures,studio shoot, Done many photoshoot’s,events,fashion shows, Done dress catalogue shoot with kalazone,bridal shoot,jewellery shoot

Dhanush: VIP changed my career completely; Anirudh’s best work is yet to come!

The South superstar has two back to back releases this month February 2015 has turned out to be one of the important months for Dhanush. He has been on a whirlwind tour simultaneously promoting Shamitabh, his Hindi film, and Anegan, his Tamil flick. Meanwhile, his Tamil production Kaaki Sattai is also releasing this month. Despite his hectic schedule, actor-producer-singer Dhanush is in a happy space and says he couldn’t have asked for anything more. Here’s what the South superstar had to say about his upcoming films…

Velaiyilla Pattathari (VIP) was the biggest blockbuster in the Tamil film industry in 2014…

This film is really important and a special one in my career. It made things really clear in my head and a lot of people’s heads. That film changed my career completely so it’ll be before VIP and after VIP now for me. I’m thankful to God that VIP happened and the entire team of VIP for pulling it off and helping me. I feel special and great that VIP was the biggest blockbuster of 2014. I hope and sincerely pray for the good luck to continue.

What is this special bond you have with Anirudh who composed music for some of your films including 3 and VIP? Anirudh is like my son, my younger brother, my prodigy, my banner Wunderbar Films’ product! I have known him since he was waist high. He has given seven albums till now with all hit songs and it’s unbelievable where his career has

gone. I give him full credit for his hard work, talent and am very proud of him. This is only the beginning. I can very confidently say this is not Anirudh’s best work – in another five years, every song that comes from him will be a gem!

Tell us about Shamitabh and working with Big B….

I am eagerly looking forward the release of Shamitabh.

Working with Amitabh Bachchan in R Balki’s Shamitabh was an amazing experience. He was fantastic. He was kind and made me comfortable. He never made me feel like he was a big star. I looked at it as an opportunity to learn from the best and indeed learnt a lot from him. I wasn’t nervous sharing screenspace with Big B and that it was more of a short film course for me. Amitji didn’t give me any advice.

That’s what is great about Amitji. It’s very easy for a legend to invade your space and tell you what to do. But he’s is a great human being – he never interfered in our work and let us do what we wanted to do. Amitji just behaved like another actor on the set! From day one, Akshara Haasan was confident and comfortable in front of the camera. She’s done a convincing job for her first film. I wish her all the very best for her future!

Can you talk about your next release – K V Anand’s Anegan…

I’m equally excited about this project. Anegan was a difficult movie to make and we have put in a lot of hard work. K V Anand put in tremendous work into this project. When you watch the film you’ll understand what kind of effort went into that film. It’s an exciting concept.

You’re the only South hero who’s extremely successful in Kollywood as well as Bollywood, how do you maintain this balance?

I’ve practiced not to manage my career. I leave it up to God who can do a better job. With what I have had, if I have come this far then it’s God’s doing. Right now all I’m doing is waiting for the right script irrespective of which language it is in. God will take care of things!

On what basis do you choose your scripts?

I look at how fresh the concept is; then I look at how gripping the screenplay is. Next is my characterisation – how strong it is; how much I can relate to it and how much the audience can relate to it. I use the same logic to choose scripts for my production house, Wunderbar Films, which I started to give a platform for new talent.

Are you looking at producing Hindi films too?

Right now I’m learning the ropes of producing films in Mumbai and once I’m confident enough I don’t mind producing films in Hindi. But not right now.

Will you be singing in Hindi films?

If any music director is willing to take the risk, then I’ll sing in Hindi as well!

Manoj Joshi

Siddharth Nigam may not be a trained actor but he is quick learner The veteran actor is an acting school in himself and I’m sure his co-actors can learn a thing or two from him Manoj Joshi is one of those few actors who are known for his body of work more than anything else. I was completely fascinated by whatever he said and I was hanging on his every word. Not only because it was so informative, but also because his Hindi is so pure that I had to actually sit with a dictionary while filing this interview.

In spite of doing so many movies, the actor still believes in challenging himself in everything he does. Excerpts from the interview…

What prompted you to take this role?

The role itself compelled me to take it up. No person in their right mind would refuse to do the role of Chanakya.

And if a person refuses to do this then he is a wasted artist.

What about Chankya grips you the most?

Chankya’s intention grips me the most. The purity of the character, his determination to achieve his goal and intelligence is what attracts me about Chanakya. Someone who believes that politics is only for the service of people and puts his words into action – obviously is an inspiration. His contribution to unite the country and give it a definition is interesting. He is the narrator of the show and no one in their right mind would every refuse to do this character.

You’ve played Chanakya for about 14 years of your life in theatre. Your role previously has been in depth, but in this show the core concentration will be on Samrat Ashoka; don’t you feel your role will be extremely short?

I don’ t pick roles according to the length of the character, it is the impact, intention and effect of the role that matters most.

Chanakya is an intense character in itself, it doesn’t require any depth. Any actor would die for this role. I am just lucky that I was their first choice.

You’ve done theatre, movies, television – what is more taxing?

Time. I work like a time machine, but this role has given me everything. In television you have to put in 100 per cent of my work in less time. It is a big task so i think it is great challenge.

So at the moment what else are you doing besides Chakravartin Samrat Ashoka?

At the moment I am doing about three to four other films. I am doing a film with Rajesh Vishkal. Rajshri Films, a thriller with Abbas Mastan sir, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and Kis Kis ko Pyaar Kareinge, Two Marathi films.

Then there is one more big film, but I am not allowed to talk about it. Plus I have a few plays lined up as well…

Wow that’s a lot on just one plate. How do you manage to find time for all this?

Like I said, I am workaholic. These are all my prior commitments. And I am thankful to Contiloe Films for their support and making this possible.

What’s your take on Siddharth Nigam who is playing Samrat Ashok in the show?

Siddharth who is playing Ashok in this daily soap is a spectacular kid. He is a national level gymnast. His Hindi is clean and perfect; he may not be a trained actor but he is quick learner. When he does his scenes with me he listens to everything I say and follows it diligently. He has a very bright future in the industry

Bigg Boss 8 Halla Bol: I want to see how my life goes on with Upen Patel, says Karishma Tanna!

The first runner up of Bigg Boss 8 Halla Bol talks about Upen Patel, her equation with Gautam Gulati and her eventful journey in the Bigg Boss house Since Day One of Bigg Boss 8, Karishma Tanna captured eyeballs for her sartorial sense. Her fight with Gautam Gulati got her into focus, her choosing make-up over releasing Sushant Divgikar from slave duties made her unpopular among the housemates. She created a sense of intrigue by constantly talking about being in a committed relationship and took everyone by surprise by accepting Upen Patel’s proposal. She all but tipped the scales from Gautam Gulati to her in the race for votes but finally lost the battle and emerged as the runner-up…

You could have been the winner. Are you happy being the runner-up?

I would have been happier if I had won the show, but it’s okay. Life doesn’t end here. Whoever has reached till here has won. I feel I am a winner myself. I tried my best, par abhi toh picture baaki hai.

Have you made peace with Gautam Gulati?

Yes, relations change every day. He kind of abused me, and I didn’t like it. He wanted to blame me for some or the other reason. Plus, I found him to be very childish. I had forgotten things and my personality is such that after I have a fallout with someone, I forget it, grow in life and move on. However, he always brought it up and irritated me one way or another. In the end, all became good, because he didn’t bring up the topic and neither did I. We became friends.

Do you see any changes in yourself?

Yes, I have become more patient and more positive. I have realised that I should not be too stubborn and learn to

relax.

Who would you consider your friend from the show?

Except for Upen (Patel), I didn’t find any real friends in the show. Upen is the only guy whom I trust.

What about Dimpy? You had become good friends with her before things turned sour…

Yes, but that happens between friends. We fought and came back together. I feel everyone’s good in their own way, but it’s the situation that makes you a little negative or bad.

We managed to get out of all that and patch up again after fights.

Do you blame Rahul Mahajan for things straining between you and Dimpy?

Yes, he spoke bulls**t, said things he is not supposed to.

He said unnecessary things to me, to Dimpy and in front of the camera. I don’t know what he was up to but he disrespected me and Dimpy.

You even seem to have had issues with Salman Khan as we saw in the show. Did you ever feel he is being unfair to you?

It was his job to be a good host. Salman is a strong opinionated man and we had a difference of opinion. It’s not necessary that whatever he spoke was right or whatever I said was right. Sometimes our opinions matched, sometimes they didn’t. But where he had to support me, he did. He was a fantastic host.

Did things go wrong with your boyfriend Rushabh Choski after you had entered the show, or were relations strained from before?

I have talked enough about him in the show. I have taken the right decision, but now I don’t want to speak about it.

I have been really grilled and judged in the show and I am done with it.

Are you taking your relationship with Upen Patel forward, now that you are away from the cameras?

Yes, definitely. Our feelings for each other and the relationship, all of it is genuine. I want to see how my life goes on with him.

The astrologer who visited the house said your relationship with Upen won’t last…

I don’t believe in all that. I make my own destiny.

Did you know Upen from before?

I have met him before, but it was in the show that we became close. We are very compatible and he has always stood by me whether I am right or wrong. He is very caring and affectionate towards me.

What are your plans for the Valentine’s Day? I am sure you guys will be as happy as me if we spend the day together. I hope so, but right now we haven’t planned anything. I haven’t planned what I will do in the next one hour, let alone the Valentine’s Day

I would love to work with Karan Johar!

“Gautam Gulati” The Bigg Boss 8 winner has been extremely busy ever since he is out the the house. However, I managed to have a candid chat with him just an hour back and got him to talk about his journey inside the Bigg Boss house and a lot more…

Life won’t be the same for Gautam Gulati from now. The former Diya Aur Baati Humactor, who had sent the masses into a frenzy emerged as the winner of Bigg Boss 8, beating Karishma Tanna. I caught up with the nation’s current favourite and in a candid conversation, he spoke about his Bigg Boss journey, the films he has signed and more…

Did you know you were going to be the winner?

I always knew that I will be there till the end, but I never thought that I will win the show. It is only a month back that I got the confidence of becoming the winner. Few contestants started a war with me and I had to finish it, that’s all I knew. But it feels good that I finished the war with a victory.

Who do you think was your toughest competitor?

No one. It was quite easy, to be very honest. The only thing that irritated me were the abuses that were being thrown inside that house, especially by Ali (Quli Mirza).

You have created this new wave on Twitter. How do you feel with the tremendous reaction that you have got from your fans?

I was not even using Twitter before going inside the house.

My brother (Mohit Gulati) used to send out all those tweets while I was in there. And now that I am out of the house, it feels unbelievable to see so many people, who were rooting for me. And now even I have started loving Twitter.

I will be active from now on.

As you said, your brother used to send out the tweets.

So do you owe him your victory?

Of course. Not only my brother, but it’s also my crazy fans, who played a big role in my victory. The whole world is my family now.

So what do you plan to do with the prize money?

I did quite a few TV shows before Bigg Boss through which I made some money. So I will add that money and buy a house in Mumbai at a good location. For a long time, I was living on my mother’s money. But now I will buy everything I need with my own money.

Is it true that you are doing the next season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa? Well, Colors has approached me, but I haven’t taken any decision on that yet. One thing I know that I will do anything for Colors because they have changed my life. So I will always be there for them whenever they need me.

You have said that you have got many film offers, but have you signed any film?

No, I haven’t signed any film yet. I will read a few scripts now and decide. I want my Bollywood debut to be grand, just like Bigg Boss.

But then who are the directors that you want to work with?

I never had a wishlist. My intention was to work hard and people would want to work with you. And that is exactly what is happening right now. But yes, I would love to work with Karan Johar.

Shraddha Kapoor, Kriti Sanon or Ali Bhatt – Who would you like to romance on the silver screen?

Alia, of course. She is very cute. In fact, she and I go to the same gym, but it’s funny that we haven’t interacted much.

Working with Ajith and Gautham Menon in Yennai Arindhaal was a wonderful experience!

" Trisha "

Yennai Arindhaal is releasing this weekend…

The leggy lass has just got engaged to business tycoon Varun Manian and is on cloud nine. And her movie with Thala Ajith directed by Gautham Menon is also set to release this week. Trisha’s 2015 couldn’t have gotten off to a better start than this! In an exclusive chat with us, the actress talks to us about Yennai Arindhaal and working with Ajith and Gautham Menon again.

Tell us about your role in Yennai Arindhaal.

I can’t reveal much about the role but it is definitely different than the characters I have played in my earlier films. I am paired with younger Ajith if you can call it that. It’s the more romantic part of Yennai Arindhaal and will be more fun. I hope people appreciate my role in the film. I’m lookign forward to the release.

What made you sign this two-heroine – Anushka and you – project?

I was apprehensive about signing the film initially when Gautham Menon narrated the script to me.

But I also have full faith in Gautham and knew that it could not go wrong. Multi-starrers are now common in the film industry today. However, I felt it’s more important to look at the role I play and how integral it is to the film. Having said that, I would not sign any multi-starrer – the role has to be meaty enough.

This is an Ajith film.

Yes it is but I love being part of big star, commercial projects. I think it’s necessary for an actress to be part of such projects too. These are the commercial hits that will boost one’s career.

Working with Ajith has always been a wonderful experience. He is a gentleman! He cooked biryani for us last time when we worked on Mankatha together.

How’s it working with Gautham Menon again?

Gautham offered me Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya when I was going through the worst phase of my career.

I have complete faith in him and know that he’ll offer me a role that’s tailor-made for me. We have a comfortable working equation too.

Finally, when is the wedding?

My wedding is towards the end of the year and it will be a destination wedding. We haven’t decided the date as of yet. And no, I have no plans of quitting films after marriage!

My film with Shah Rukh Khan is not a remake at all!

Rohit Shetty

The director opens up on his next with SRK, also reveals he’ll simultaneously plan Ram Lakhan and his next with Ajay Devgn Rohit Shetty might be one of the most sought-after directors in the country and the highest paid, but he still manages to make time for things he enjoys. And being the son of a stuntman, he loves to host the TV show Khatron Ke Khiladi! We caught up with the director to talk about his second season of KKK and his next few films. Read on for excerpts…

Taking over the reins of hosting from Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra, you managed to take the show further…

(Cuts in) I was really scared! Priyanka and Akshay had done it and they are huge superstars. I am a director, all said and done. You cannot compare me with them because they have a superior fan following which I cannot even think of competing with. The show was not doing well. So we started working on the format and we realised why it was not as interesting. So we changed it.

Previously, there were 13 people trying the same stunts.

So after a point, it was becoming tiring and lethargic for the audience to watch the same thing 13 times. When we changed the format, it was difficult initially because it meant doing three different stunts in a day. Then, we thought of

bringing in humour, a little bit of reality and a little bit of characterization. The last season was not just big for me but for the contestants. A lot of known people came in the last season. We had Gauahar, Kushal and this season we have Ashish, Sana, Chang and that packaging has worked.

What are the new things you have incorporated this season?

We have a team which does the research on what worked last season. So we definitely have all of it and we have devised some new stunts. There would be more stunts this season because we don’t want things to be monotonous.

This time, we will have more reptiles on the show because I personally feel kids love these. And that was something I wanted.

Have you ever taken a stunt from the show and placed it in your film?

No, not really. We have taken stunts from the movie into the show but not vice versa. I will explain why. In a movie there is a story involved and we cannot film a particular sequence if it doesnt fit in with that. Also, the length of the sequence is bigger. Yahaan stunts mein gadbad hona hi hai because here, it is about competition, about who’s

performing well and who’s not! So I don’t think you can implement them in films. There will be an episode where the contestants will try out Bollywood stunts. We will have the car stunts from my films, then there will be the Dhoom 3 stunt which Chang and Sana will perform — the one where Aamir was seen walking down a building.

Fusing your staple dose of action with entertainment was always your agenda..

Because who is watching the show? The audience! They love entertainment and that is why my films work so well.

Whether you make people laugh or you scare them, the audience reaction is very important. There are a lot of saas bahu serials which we may not like but there are doing well because there are audiences who are watching it everyday because it connects with them.

You were scripting for your next film when you were shooting for KKK. Did you take your script team with you?

Yes, at times the team travels with me. So once I am done with the shoot, we sit and discuss the ideas. This happens as I am working back-to-back. So once I finish my film, I get into doing KKKand at the same time, I am finishing the pre-production of my next film. Last year, March 1, I came back from Khatron… and March 12, I started shooting for Singham Returns. My team is actually planning for my films when I am not there.

Has your film with SRK also been planned similar way?

Yes, but it happened way before Singham… People don’t get to know that because nobody knows where I am going, what I am doing. I don’t go out much. Our planning goes on for two years in advance. So what I am doing with Shah Rukh, we started that almost three years ago on a script level.

And there are so many conjectures about the film..

Somebody is saying it’s Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, somebody is saying it’s Hum and someone recently told me that it’s about Mr and Mrs Smith. But we wrote the script three years ago and the preproduction and planning started right after Chennai Express. Chennai… was itself planned during Golmaal Returns.

Similarly, Chennai… had just released when I discussed our new film with him and he immediately said, ‘Let’s do this’. This film is going to be in a completely new territory — totally different from Chennai…

Is it an original script?

Yes. My film with SRK is an original

script for sure. It’s not a remake at all! I am doing Ram Lakhan, which is a remake. If I wanted to hide that, I could have not announced it. If I can accept that I am remaking Ram Lakhan, I would have accepted this as well, had it been true. And it’s funny how people have been writing that I am trying to hide it. There’s nothing to hide.

So what’s the status on the film?

I already have finalised my lead cast. But there have been so many rumours about the film that I and Shah Rukh decided to come out in March and announce the film and the cast in a grand manner. We will start the film too in March. Shah Rukh will join a little later, maybe from May. And Ram Lakhan?

I will start planning for it after two months. We will do the same while we shoot for my next with SRK. Have you thought of the lead cast?

I have thought of it but I have not yet approached anyone, leave aside finalising the cast. Even for Ram Lakhan, from the day it was announced, people started making their own cast. People have become very lazy. They just put whatever they want to on the net and it gets picked up, without any confirmation or truth to it. It’s all copy-paste.

But yes, Ram Lakhan will have two younger actors from the new generation. Some said Ranveer and Arjun, some said Varun and Sidharth. But once we write it, only then we will be able to decide on who to cast.

Will you call Subhash Ghai for inputs?

We have that in mind. But once we write it, I will see how it turns out and then we will take a call.

What about your next with Ajay? Do you have anything in mind?

Next year, after Ram Lakhan we are planning something with Ajay for sure.

Another Golmaal?

I want to do another Golmaal. But I am not getting the right script. I don’t want to make it for the heck of it. When the last Golmaal released, the kids who were 10 are now 15. So we need to make something in that space. It has to be better than Golmaal 3.

We’ve tried to work on two-three scripts but I am not happy with it. I don’t want to cheat the audience because I know whatever we make, people will come and watch it because it’s Golmaal. But making anything randomly would destroy the brand that Golmaal is known for. If I get a nice script, then my next with Ajay will be Golmaal 4

AR Rahman’s blue-eyed boy Sid Sriram talks about Shankar-Vikram’s I and more

This young singer/musician made headlines when he sang Adiye for a AR Rahman in Mani Ratnam’s in Kadal. A Berklee College student, Sid Sriram has recently sung the melodious Ennodu Nee Irundhal in Shankar’s magnum opus I. The youngsters tells us that he wants to pursue independent music and singing for Kollywood and is currently shuttling between the US and India.

Sid Sriram is also an accomplished Carnatic singer and is set to release his album soon. Here’s an exclusive with him: What’s your music background?

I started learning Carnatic music from my mother, Latha Sriram at the age of three.

She has a Carnatic music institution in the San Francisco area, where I grew up so music was always around. I started training under Padmabushan Sri PS Narayanaswamy in 2002 and have been learning from him since. In terms of R&B music I was self taught until the age of 18. I started attending Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2008, and this is where I honed in on my R&B/Soul music, writing/composing original music, and music production/audio engineering.

How did you get chosen by AR Rahman?

What was your experience with him like?

One of AR Sir’s engineers had passed on

some of my music to him a while ago. While I was in Chennai for the December music season in 2011, they emailed me asking me to come to sir’s studio. He asked me to sing some of my original R&B music, and then a Carnatic composition. A couple months later AR sir emailed me about recording Adiye from Kadal.

You are now into Carnatic music singing in Chennai every December. How has that experience been?

I’ve been singing in the December season for the past 7-8 years and it’s always an enriching experience; the energy is inspiring and humbling. These past couple seasons have been especially great because of the young audiences that have started coming out to my Carnatic shows.

You are now composing music too. Comment.

I first started writing my original music while in Boston, back around 2008/2009. It’s a mode of expression that is very fulfilling. I’ve released 3 EP’s (5-6 song projects) and am currently finishing up my first full length album with my team in LA. We plan on releasing it this spring.

Have there been more Kollywood offers post Kadal? Do you want to get into Kollywood full flegedly?

After Adiye from “Kadal”, the next song I have sung is Ennodu Nee Irundhal from “I”. Outside of these two songs there have been offers, but with me splitting my time between LA, SF, and Chennai coordinating logistics has been tricky; this is a balance I’m still learning to strike. I think film playback singing is always going to be an aspect of what I do, and I’ll be progressing it alongside my original independent music and Carnatic music.

What do you want to achieve as a musician?

I want to make people feel. I think in the information age, with the Internet and social media it’s easy to get trapped in your own head, lose perception of beauty, and become desensitized. I want my music to move people. I want listeners to feel a deep emotional bond and resonance any time they hear music I am a part of

Salman Khan is my dream actor to work with!

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Pernia Qureshi

Entrepreneur and stylista Pernia Qureshi, who is now gearing up for a Bolly debut, talks about her new role Pernia Qureshi is one of the celebrated names in the Indian fashion as she made luxury brands and labels more accessible to people through her online venture Pernia Pop-up Shop. She has styled Sonam Kapoor for Aisha and continues to be one of her best friends. Pernia is making her Bollywood debut this year with Imran Abbas Naqvi in Jaanisaar and she is really pumped up about the same!

Here, she gives an insight on how she looks at fashion, what are her career goals and how she would deal with stardom. Read on for more…

You are an entrepreneur, a stylist, a designer, a dancer and now an actor. What’s next on your bucket list?

For now, it is complete focus on acting. I didn’t always know that I want to be any of the things that I am today; I just am open to new ideas as an artiste. I don’t like having free time. I was skeptical when the film was offered to me, but as a dancer I have been performing my whole life so I am used to emoting. My director told me that I already do this and the only thing needed is dialogue and camera.

He assured me that I can act so I was like “Okay! Let me try this.” I didn’t realise that I’d have the time of my life, I haven’t enjoyed anything else this much in my career.

time but he didn’t make an impact.

I feel by the time our movie comes out people will think that it’s Imran’s debut. In Creature 3D his role wasn’t that big so even in the promotions, he wasn’t around or promoted. Fawad had an equal part to Sonam in Khoobsurat, so he was marketed in that manner. I don’t think Imran got the same kind of opportunity.

You have to start from scratch in the film industry…

I have worked really hard the last two years trying to establish my online shopping business (Pernia Pop-up Shop). In the fashion industry, I feel like everyone knows me and there is a certain amount of respect I get. In films, How was it like to be on a film set?

I will have to prove myself. I am back to ground zero and I have been on a film set for Aisha as I was styling Sonam will have to work twice as hard. There are so many people for that. But we were like fat kids on the set. We were who have no idea who the hell I am, they are going to see either eating or trying on clothes. I didn’t take it as a me with a completely fresh perspective, my talent and hardcore learning experience. As a live stage performer, I acting is going to speak for me. I can’t trick people into always thought performing live for an audience is the shit liking me or fake anything. It’s all depends on how good I because you are under a lot of pressure and that gives me am. a big high. But somehow acting in front of a camera was the same as performing live for me. I was so upset when What’s the one thing you have that your contemporaries the film was wrapped! I was like “I want to shoot some don’t? more!” But Muzaffar Ali (director of Jaanisaar) added a I think being a professional dancer works in my favour scene later, we just shot it so I was really happy. because I don’t think there is any other actress in my generation who is fully-trained in any forms of classical You’d be speaking a lot of Urdu in the film… dance. People take classes but that’s not called It wasn’t a problem because I am from UP; my father is professional dancing. from Rampur, my mother is from Pakistan. I grew up in a fully Urdu speaking house. I went to an American school Sonam feels the general perception of an actress in but my mother had this really annoying rule when I came India is that if an actor dresses well, she isn’t much of back home on vacation, that she would not speak or an actor. Agree? respond to me unless I don’t talk in Urdu. Her big worry Oh Sonam! (Giggles) I don’t fear this at all because I feel was that I’ll lose my mother-tongue. The good thing that if you convince somebody who is watching your film that came out of this is that I can speak in Urdu. I had to work you are that character, you have done your job. If I can on my pronunciation and dialect for the film but the lanconvince you for those two hours while you are watching guage wasn’t alien to me. the film that I am Noor, a courtesan, and if I can make Tell me about your co-star. you forget that I own a shop or I go to fashion shows in Imran is tailor-made for this role. His character had to be Paris… I’ve done my job. If I can’t then I have to improve, extremely well-spoken, he had to have a certain that is what I feel. vulnerability and innocence which boys these days hardly have! Actors don’t really have that quality these days One actor you wish to work with? because they think and know that they are great! Imran Salman Khan! That would be like a dream! A film with too has the airs of an actor because he is a huge star in him where I can be totally filmi! I don’t think my decision Pakistan, but something about him is so sweet even in to work in a film would depend so much on the actor as real life which translated onscreen. We became very good on the film. Unless it is Salman, then I would do anything! friends very quickly.

Sonam will tell you this, there is a really filmi side to me, I am a big Bollywood buff, my favourite movie is Hum Saath He and Fawad Khan debuted almost around the same Saath Hain. Salman is like a filmi heroine’s dream!

An actress who is a complete package?

Sonakshi Sinha can be extremely demure. You can strip her off her make-up and make her be completely real and she can handle it. She can be totally glamourous as well.

Do you think the same about her style as well?

Not as much. But I believe that when you are an actress it is not your responsibility to be extremely stylish. That is not a must because your job is to convince the audience about whatever part you are playing. Style is an added bonus not a pre-requisite. Fashion police is just mean, don’t put so much pressure on these girls, they are here to act and entertain.

Rapid Fire: One overrated fashion trend according to you: Nothing, there are no fashion faux pas or no wrongs. It all depends on who is wearing it and how they are wearing it. Rihanna can wear a paper bag over her head and that could become a fashion trend!

One fashion trend you think is done-to-death: Crop top!

I have definitely added to overdoing of this trend. It’s the new thing everybody is obsessed with.

One trend you’d like to start: Wearing flats. I have sprained my ankle more than once and am forced to wear them and I have realised they are awesome! Boyfriends are sick of heels.

One outfit you think you cannot pull off: Shoulder pads.

Should fashion always be about comfort: Fashion should be about whatever makes you feel great.

Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s comfortable. You could be wearing a tight dress which you’ve stuffed yourself in and you look super hot because you’ve worked out and your body looks great, you could feel like amazing, I say go with it!

So clothes play a big role in how you feel about yourself: Of course they do! Dressing up is all about feeling good about yourself. You are representing yourself to the world; everybody is making their judgement of you when they see

you. No matter what these pro-feminist people say, it always matter, people are judging them in their khadis also.

You should wear whatever makes you feel great.

5 things you always carry in your handbag: My lip balm, my wallet, my two phones, and chewing gum!

I wasn’t expecting gum… Well, you never know who you meet, gum ensures minty fresh breath. And also it stops me from eating!

No make-up in there: I don’t know how to do my own make-up I’m a retard! I just wear tinted sun-block and lip balm in general.

One beauty product you can’t do without: I hate chapped lips so I cannot do without lip balm. Also hand cream after I wash my hands because without that I can’t touch anything. I have issues clearly, I have a bit of OCD! One label you love: Oh there are many! I love many…

Dhruv Kapoor, Huemn, Hemant and Nandita, Pankaj and Nidhi, Payal Pratap is one of my favourites. From international there’s James Perse, Top Shop and a brand called The Row which is really expensive so don’t buy a lot of it but I love their stuff, I love Stella McCartney, these are labels I love in my personal wardrobe.

One film role you loved this year: It’s an obvious answer, Queen. Every frame was hilarious, everything from beginning to end was awesome!

One role that you would have like to play: Jacqueline Fernandez’s role in Kick and Deepika Padukone in Ram Leela!

One film wherein you didn’t like the styling: Nothing striking in my mind, our costume designs have got better One fashion/beauty hack you swear by: Seamless underwear Which actor is the complete package: Ranbir Kapoor

Kailash Kher awarded the Yash Bharti The ‘Allah Ke Banday’ and ‘Teri Deewani’ hitmaker Kailash Kher has been awarded with the Yash Bharti award for his singing. At a function held recently in Lucknow, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav handed Kher this accolade.

Started in 1994-95 by the government of Uttar Pradesh, Yash Bharti picks out extraordinary contribution in the fields of Literature, Arts, Folk Music, Classical Music, Cinema and Sports and awards the contributor.

Before Kailash Kher, other winners of this award from the film fraternity are Rekha Bharadwaj, Anup Jalota, Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Nawaazuddin Siddiqui, Ravindra Jain, Lyricist Sameer Among others.

Last year in November, Kailash Kher was also nominated by Prime minister Narendra Modi to join the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan, which the singer accepted and grabbed a broom to clean the streets of Banaras.

I would love to romance Shah Rukh Khan onscreen!

Akshara Haasan

I recently caught up with Kamal Haasan’s younger daughter who is all geared up to make her acting debut with Shamitabh. Unlike most celebs, I found her very sweet and unpretentious. And as we started conversing, her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Read on to know how our chat turned out to be…

Akshara Haasan will be seen opposite two biggies – Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush in R Balki’s upcoming directorial venture Shamitabh which is slated to release next month on February 6. Considering the film stars two mighty actors, one would expect the young lass to be worried about being overshadowed by them.However, Akshara

isn’t. In fact, she never thought in her wildest dreams that she would get to work with Big B and the Raanjhanaa actor in her very first film. Well, that’s how I started the conversation and asked the pretty lady her first reaction on being offered Shamitabh. Here’s what she said…

It’s a dream debut considering you worked with Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush in your first film Shamitabh.

What was your first reaction when R Balki offered you the film?

(Smiles)… When Shamitabh came to me, I actually didn’t think I would get this kind of opportunity in my very first film. I thought I would probably get it after 20 to 30 films because we are talking about Mr Bachchan, R Balki and Dhanush. It’s huge for me because I honestly didn’t expect Shamitabh to be my first film. I connected instantly to the script and to the character. So I am just thankful that I got this film.

In one of your interviews you said that you were intimidated by both – Big B and Dhanush. So did you break the ice on the sets?

More than breaking the ice, they broke the ice and that helped me so much because I look up to them. In fact, so many times I got stuck, forgot the scenes and dialogues because I was really intimidated and scared by Mr Bachchan. I wasn’t intimidated before, it was only when I got on set and saw him because you know…his presence is so powerful. And I think it was more of nervousness and fear that I shouldn’t mess it. With Balki Sir, he just told me that when you’re on set, they are just actors and that really helped me. Also, all the credit goes to Mr Bachchan and Dhanush for breaking the wall because as a newcomer you can’t cross certain lines with them. All credit to them, they made me feel so much at ease. When I was on the sets, the rest of the world would seize to exist. And when Amitabh Sir and Dhanush did the same, it helped me even

more.

But at any point were you apprehensive about the fact that these two stalwarts might overshadow you in the film?

See, as a newcomer we already strive to say, ‘Please come and see my work.’ We strive to make that impression and to make an impact on the audience. We strive to do that every day. So for me it was like, ‘I have to prove a point.’ It’s already there in back of my mind that I have to prove point with every film I do. I have to show what I am capable of as an actor. When it came to Mr Bachchan and Dhanush, I felt I needed to show them what I am capable of doing as a actor because that will make them understand what kind of actor I and then they will know what to get out of me or where to push me further. Same is the case with Balki Sir because that made things easier.

For me, I focused on what was in front of me. I really felt that I had blinkers on. All would think is, ‘dude, this the scene so get into the character and do it right. Do it the way Balki Sir wants and give it your 100 percent and be disciplined.’ So I was focusing on that rather than letting the intimidation or fear get the better of me. There were some days when I was down in the dumps and I knew I could fall back on Balki Sir. I also had Mr Bachchan and Dhanush to fall back on because as a team they all were supportive of me and were so understanding. That helped me perform better and also made me grow into a better person.

How does it feel when a supremely talented director like R Balki says that “Akshara is born to act”?

I am honestly very honoured that he said that and it makes me feel encouraged. You know, the feeling that I get, I really can’t explain it in words. It’s more than grateful, more than thankful and more than encouraging. It’s a mixture of these kinds of emotions that take it to another level. I don’t know what else to say (smiles).

Both Dhanush and Amitabh Bachchan have worked with

your family remembers. Did they tell anything about then before you started shooting?

No, nothing actually. We believe in the fact that everyone has different equations with everybody. I have my own equation with Dhanush, Mr Bachchan and Balki Sir. So they didn’t say anything, they have their own equations with their contemporaries and with other actors. And who knows mine equation will be very different from theirs. So they gave me freedom to develop my equation because everyone’s mind functions differently.

Did you and Dhanush bond on the sets talking about South films since you both have been exposed to that industry?

Actually, we all bonded on one common ground – cinema.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s Bollywood, Hollywood or Tollywood, for me cinema is cinema. So we did bond on that because no matter in what language it is, every kind of cinema conveys emotions.

When you become an actor, a lot of other things come along – link-ups, controversies, invasion of privacy and what not. So how have you prepared yourself for that?

Has your mother or sister given you any advice?

Ever since I have grown up, I have known that there is other side as well. I have seen that while growing up and as a person I am very private. If you ask me something personal, I would honestly tell you to please refrain from talking about it. Because I am a very private person, closed person in that ways. I am bit of an introvert.

Also, comparisons are bound to happen with your sister Shruti Haasan. How are you going to tackle that?

It’s unfair but I know comparisons do happen. Even in daily life, people have come up to me and said that you look so much like your mother which is just normal and you just say ‘thank you.’ And if people see my film and compare me with my sister I would be like, ‘Oh

my gosh, thank you.’ But I also want to strive and get an individual recognition apart from my lineage and legacy. I would love to carry my lineage and legacy as an individual that is just Akshara. Not as someone’s daughter or sister. As for comparisons, I would take it in positive way. At least, I feel I will be making my family proud.

Directing is something you have been passionate about for a long time but how did acting happened?

I am originally a dancer so my first love is dance then direction and acting. I am honestly lucky to have these three fields with which I can have a love affair. Coming to acting, it didn’t happen by chance. I was actually not ready to be an actor; I decided to be one around a year or a year-and-half ago. Shortly after I decided to be an actor, I got Shamitabh. I wasn’t ready to be an actor because it’s a different ball game altogether. In fact, I still have to explore a lot more.

So will we get to see your ‘dancer’ side in Shamitabh?

Ahhh… you’ll have to see the film to find out (smiles) Okay, tell us who is hotter – Dhanush or Amitabh Bachchan?

Tough choice, unfair question (laughs).

As a fan if you had to pick then….

I would then say Dhanush!

One thing that you discovered about your co-stars while working with them which surprised you…

Our humour is similar, all three of us actually. I never thought we’ll have that in common.

One thing that you picked up by observing both your co-stars…

It’s hard to say because I still haven’t learned enough.

Shamitabh was enough for me to pick and learn from them (smiles). But one thing that I picked up was how they transformed into their character and it was just beautiful to see. Jaan de dete hain pura character mein….and that’s what I loved.

Will we see you working with any of your family members soon? Have any such offers been made?

No, there haven’t been offers as yet. But I hope at some point in the future we do get the opportunity to work together. But I would like to wait till five films down the line and when I am ready. I would be wonderful to actually

work with my family. It would be different and interesting to see how we work on the set leaving aside the fact that we are family.

Three things that people don’t know about you I am a huge prankster but in a good way, I am very sporty and I am a very curious soul.

You have already worked with R Balki, which directors do you want to work with next?

Balki Sir was always on my list, apart from him, Vishal Bhardwaj, Mr Rahul Dholakia and the list goes on…

One actor you want to romance onscreen?

Shah Rukh Khan. Dil garden garden ho jata hai unko dekh ke (smiles) Have you met him?

Yes, twice actually and the second time I got to work with him as an AD. First time I met him during the shooting of Hey Ram and second time when I was as an AD for a Nerolac commercial which had Huma Qureshi. He is just so warm that I can’t begin to tell you.

Lastly, anything lined-up after Shamitabh?

No, not as of now.

Shashank Shekhar

10 Amazing Hot Coco recipes Isn’t hot chocolate perfect? Sometimes a cup of hot coco can really save the day.

Well, a cup of hot coco can save any day, any time. That’s how perfect it is. Do you remember the first time you drank it? Do you remember how happy you were because you discovered something you will be able to drink every time you need a sweet kick of sugar rush.

But you might have thought there is only one way to drink it. You were so wrong. There are many ways to drink this heavenly potion made by chocolate fairies (of course that’s how it’s made), and we are going to share with you the top 10 recipes!

1. We begin with the incredible frozen white chocolate hot chocolate! Yep, you read it well. For this coco magic, you will need to place about 6 halfounce pieces of high quality white chocolate into a microwave safe bowl. Heat for one minute, and stir it through the process of heating. When melted, add 1 envelope store bought hot chocolate mix and 1 tbsp of sugar. Stir constantly until it’s completely blended.

Slowly add 1/2 cup of the milk after you remove it from the heat until smooth. Cool at room temperature and- enjoy.

2. Chocolate cups are so great, you guys. If you feel like experimenting, melt 4 ounces of chocolate to make 3 cups. Then, allow chocolate to become slightly lukewarm before you dip a small balloon into it (buy party balloons, fill it with air so you reach the size of the cup you want). Dip the balloons as much as you wish, and place them on some paper. Leave it for 10 minutes and add whatever you like into your chocolate cups!

3. Coconut hot chocolate will leave you speechless if you’re a fan of coconut. You need to bring 3 cups of milk, 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 and 1/2 tsp of coconut extract to a boil in a medium saucepan. Keep it over medium heat.

Reduce the heat to low and stir in 6 ounces of chopped, white chocolate. Whisk it until smooth and pour into your favorite mugs. Garnish a bit white some white topping and shredded coconut.

4. For making some S’mores hot chocolate, you need to place melted butter (2 tbsp) in a shallow dish, about the same size as your mug. Place 2 crushed graham crackers in another dish of the same size. Then, flip your mugs upside-down and be sure you dip the rim first in melted butter, and then in the crackers. Break 2,4 oz of Hershey’s chocolate bars into pieces and place one half bar in each mug. Heat 4 cups of whole milk to simmer and pour one cup into each mug over the chocolate. Finally, top each with with 3-4 toasted marshmallows.

5. Hot chocolate on a stick? Why not?

All you need to do is to heat 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and 1/2 of heavy cream together in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk it slowly as it heats, and when it begins to steam, not boil, remove pan from the heat and add 3 cups of semisweet chocolate chips and 3/4 cup of unsweetened chopped chocolate. Allow chocolate do melt slowly, return the pan to low heat and whisk until the mixture is thick. Leave the mixture overnight, cut the bars as you wish and put them on a stick!

6. Hot chocolate spoons are a creative way to show your love for hot chocolate. All you need are some wooden spoons, candies, marshmallows and a few different chocolates. Firstly, you melt the chocolate in your microwave or on a stove top. Then, dip the end of your spoons in the chocolate and top it with whatever you like. You can add some candies, marshmallows or even better- give your kids to arrange them as they wish.

7. Nutella hot chocolate is something you HAVE to try if you call yourself a hot coco lover. It’s easy to make, too! You need to whisk 1 cup of milk, 1 and 1/2 tbsp of Nutella, 1 tbsp of cocoa and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan, over medium heat, until it’s well blended and hot. Then, pour in a cup and top it with some homemade whipped cream and shaved chocolate. A real winter treat.

8. Prepare yourself for some hot chocolate chai tea! Firstly, combine 3 tsp of Russian Caravan tea leaves, 1 large cinnamon stick, 2 whole pods of star anise and enough hot water to brew a tea in a teapot. Brew it for 5 minutes and then set aside. Then, use a milk pan to heat 1 and 1/2 cups of milk and 2 and 1/2 tbsp hot chocolate powder on medium. Simmer and stir gently for about 5 minutes. Pour in large mug, dust with chocolate powder and serve.

9. Winter is perfect for whiteout hot coco! To make it, place 6 cups of skim milk, 2 cups of fat-free half and half, 1 tbsp of vanilla and 12 oz package of vanilla chocolate chips over medium heat. Stir the mixture occasionally until chocolate chips begin to melt. Then, divide the mix between mugs and top it with whipped cream and sprinkles. It is ready to be served and eaten immediately! You can reheat it as many times as you wish.

10. Want to make something wild? Try red velvet hot coco! You need to combine 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and 1/4 cup of sugar in a stand

mixer. Whip it on medium speed for about 2 to 3 minutes. Before it peaks form,add 2-4 tbsp of whipped cream cheese and whip it for another 2 minutes. Heat 4 cups of whole milk in a medium saucepan and add a splash of water together with 3/4 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir gently, When it is almost melted, add 1 tsp of red food coloring and stir again. When everything is melted, pour the mixture into mugs and top with some whipped cream.

Winter is a time to get into warm snuggle clothes. Though it is colder outside and we need extra calories to stay warm. Amazingly, the body engine works better in winter and food is better digested. Every one tends to feel hungry. Any vegetable that takes time to grow, and in which the edible part grows beneath the surface is warming and a good vegetable to grow in winters. Root vegetables make excellent winter choices. It is the best time to improve ones immunity.

WINTER WARMING FOODS

Gulneer, Wellness Dates are warm in nature and are highly recommended in the winter months. I would Consultant suggest having at least 2 dates everyday during winter season. They are good source of fiber, iron, magnesium, calcium and B vitamins. Since they are sweet in nature, they are also a good source of energy. Among spices mustard, ajwain (carom seeds) are valuable remedy for winter coughs and flu, stimulating appetite and digestion and increasing blood circulation. Methi (fenugreek seeds) dry or sprouted is beneficial in bone and joint problems that surface more in winters.

All animal foods fall into the warming category, including lean dairy, meat, fish and poultry. The most warming vegetables that are good for your body are root vegetables like carrot, potato, onions, garlic, radish, yams, sweet potato, beet root and winter greens like palak (spinach), methi, sarson (mustard green), radish leaves, pudina (mint) etc.

During evening hours in winter our dinner table is full of exciting colorful fruits and vegetable salad, which are mouth watering and increases one’s appetite and also promotes with over all wellness. In this months column, I would like to share few salad recipes with their calorie count to be eaten for lunch or dinner time or even as a appetizer before dinner to curb your hunger pangs so that one does not munch too much into junk food.

CHICKPEA SALAD

It has been researched that chick-pea diet can significantly slash bad LDL cholesterol levels. Reap the benefits of this refreshing salad.

PREP TIME :15 minutes TOTAL TIME : 25 minutes Serving : 8 1 can chick peas, rinsed and drained or chickpeas soaked over night and steamed in pressure cooker ½ small red onion, quartered and thinly sliced ½ cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 roasted red pepper, chopped 3 plum tomatoes, chopped 2 Tbsp chopped parsley 2 clove garlic, chopped 3 tbsp lemon juice 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil ¼ tsp salt Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Toss to mix. Allow it to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes for flavors to blend.

2.

TO PREPARE THE DRESSING: Combine vinegar, mustard, 1 tbsp of water and remaining 2 tsp of oil and 1/8 tsp salt in glass jar. Shake well.

3.

TOSS spinach with2 tablespoon of the dressing in large bowl. Arrange chicken, avocado, tomatoes and cheese over spinach. Drizzle remaining dressing over salad and season with black pepper to taste.

Nutrition (per serving) 270 Calorie, 34 gm protein, 10 gm carbs, 5 gms fiber, 13.4 g fat

NUTRITION GRAPEFRUIT AVOCADO SALAD WITH SHERRY DRESS(per servings) 80 Cal, 3 gms protein, 14 gms carbs, 3 gms ING fiber, 1.8 gms fat, 0.2 gms saturated fat, 213 mg sodium.

PREP TIME : 20 mins TOTAL TIME : 20 mins CHICKEN AVOCADO SALAD This salad makes healthy meat lovers delight.

Ingredients PREP Time : 8 mins TOTAL TIME : 15 mins SERVINGS : 4

1 lb chicken breast cutlets 1 Tbsp olive oil ¼ tsp salt 2 tbsp cider vinegar 1 tsp Dijon miustard 8 cups baby spinach leaves ½ ripe avocado, cut into ½” cubes 4 cherry tomatoes, halved 1.

PREHEAT grill pan on medium high heat for 2 minutes. Brush chicken with 1 tsp of the oil and sprinkle with half of the salt. Grill chicken 4 minutes, flip and continue cooking until centers are opaque and juices run clear, about 3 minutes longer. Cut into chunks.

SERVING : 4 INGREDIENTS 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 Tbsp medium dry sherry or sherry vinegar 1 ½ tsp red wine vinegar ¼ tsp salt 1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper 1 pink grapefruit 4 cup colorful mixed baby greens 1 cup ripe avocaods 2 Tbsp chopped onions 1.

Mix the oil, sherry or sherry vinegar, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper in a salad bowl with a fork.

2.

Use a serrated knife to peel the grapefruit, cutting off most, but not all, of the white pith. Working over bowl, cut out the fruit from between the membranes. Add 1 ½ tbsp. of grapefruit juice to the dressing and mix well.

3.

Add the greens avocado, red onions, and grapefruit sections to the dressing and toss gently to mix. Serve

immediately.

NUTRITION (PER SERVING) 154 Cal, 2 gm protein, 19 gms carbs, 6 gm fiber, 9.2 gm sat fat SALMON SALAD

stick spray. Set over high heat. Lightly coat the salmon with non stick spray. Sprinkle with the Italian seasoning.

Add the salmon to the skillet. Cook for 3 minutes on each side, or until the fish flakes away easily.

5.

Add the mushrooms and onion to the reserved bowl. Toss to mix. Spoon the salad onto 4 plates. Top each with a salmon fillet NUTRITION (PER SERVING) 236 Cal, 21 gm protein, 12 gms fiber, 12.1 gm fat, 2.3 gms sat fat.

TOASTED ALMOND CHICKEN SALAD Chives from your garden and crunchy almonds lend spice and crunch to this delicious dinner salad

A tangy mix of balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard and sun dried tomatoes pair nicely with salmon for this omega3-filled delight.

PREP TIME: 15 minutes TOTAL TIME : 26 minutes SERVINGS: 4 3 Tbsp chopped dry-pack sun-dried tomatoes 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ tsp dried basil 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1/8 tsp salt 1 roasted red pepper, cut into small strips 4 oz button mushrooms sliced 1 small onions, minced 4 salmon fillet (3 oz each), skin removed 1 tsp Italian dressing 1.

Place the sun dried tomatoes in a small bowl.

Cover with boiling water. Allow to soak for 10 minutes or until soft. Drain and discard the liquid.

2.

Whisk the vinegar, oil, basil, mustard and salt in a large bowl until smooth. Place the pepper and sun dried tomatoes and greens in the bowl but do not toss. Set aside.

3.

Coat a medium non stick skillet lightly with non stick spray. Add the mushrooms and onion. Coat lightly with non stick spray. Cook over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes, or until soft. Remove to a plate to cool.

4.

Wipe the skillet with a paper towel. Coat with non

PREP TIME: 20 minutes TOTAL TIME: 1 hr, 20 minutes SERVINGS: 4 3 sm chicken breast halves 3 ribs celery, sliced 1 bunch chives, finely chopped ½ cup low fat plain yogurt ¼ cup light sour cream 2 tbsp silvered almonds, toasted salt to taste Ground black pepper 1 bag mixed greens 1.

Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium high heat. When it is hot, add the chicken and cook for 4 minutes per side, or until the juices run clear. Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for at least 10 minutes. When they are cool, chop the chicken breast into pieces.

2.

Combine the chicken, celery, yogurt, sour cream in a large bowl. Mix lightly 3.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Add the almonds and salt and pepper to taste. Serve on a bed of greens.

NUTRITION (PER SERVING) 177 Cal, 25 gms protein, 8 gms carbs, 3 gms fiber, 5 gms fat, 1.7 gms sat fat.

For any health related query, e-mail the writer at info@gulneerurwellnessconsultant.com Website: gulneerurwellnessconsultant.com She can also be contacted at 08427162181

How to Power Nap in 4 Simple Steps Your friends are annoying you. You can’t remember what you learned in math yesterday. And now you can’t find your cell phone.

No, you’re not having a brain lapse. You’re probably just tired -- and that’s making you feel grumpy and forget things.

Don’t grab a bag of chips or an energy drink to perk up. Energy drinks can have way too much unhealthy sugar, and some have dangerous amounts of caffeine and other supplements. And chips have empty calories that don’t give your body what it needs to stay healthy.

Instead, take a power nap! Yes, naps aren’t just for babies. A midafternoon snooze can refresh you. When you’re tired it can really make making healthy choices hard. A nap may help you focus and make healthy decisions (like saying no to those chips).

Four Steps to Power Nap Like a Pro:

Find a good spot. Put your head down on a quiet table in the student lounge. Cozy up in a chair when you get home, before you do homework. You can power nap almost anywhere -- in the library or on the bus on the way to a game.

Keep it short. Shoot for a 20- to 30-minute nap. Set your alarm, so you don’t oversleep. A longer nap can make you groggy and feel worse.

Do it in the afternoon. That’s usually the best siesta time. Just make sure you finish your nap by 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. Nap later and you may have a hard time falling asleep at night.

Turn on some soothing sounds. If you have trouble dozing off, listen to relaxing music or a boring podcast.

7 Healthy Reasons to Eat Pumpkin.

Many people add pumpkin to their meals without knowing its immense health benefits. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin smoothies, baked pumpkin, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin soup, pumpkin risotto… there are so many wonderful and delicious pumpkin recipes and even more healthy reasons to have it for your dinner today. Numerous studies show that consuming pumpkin regularly can help keep your heart and eyes healthy and can even help you drop weight. Here are a few more reasons to include pumpkin in your eating plan.

1. Pumpkin helps lower your risk of cancer Just like sweet potatoes, butternut squash and carrots, pumpkin is high in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that can help lower the risk of cancer, including prostate, breast cancer and lung cancer. I think it’s a good reason to munch on some pumpkin today. Pumpkin soup or pumpkin pie? What’s your choice today? I love to add a little bit of pumpkin to my smoothie instead of banana. It tastes amazing and I know that I reap some health benefits from it.

2. Pumpkin helps improve your mood If you feel down today, consider snacking on some pumpkin seeds and see the results. The thing is, pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of the amino acid tryptophan, which is crucial in serotonin production. Eating ½ cup of pumpkin seeds each day can help you reduce stress and anxiety, and fight depression.

Just half a cup of these little seeds contains almost your whole recommended daily amount of magnesium, which is great for your mood. If you don’t want to eat pumpkin seeds plain, add them to your salad, smoothie, oatmeal or trail mix.

3. Pumpkin helps combat wrinkles Stop spending lots of money on those expensive creams that promise to eliminate your wrinkles. They won’t help! Consuming the right foods daily will help you combat acne and wrinkles, keep cancer cells at bay and keep your skin healthy. Pumpkin is one of the best foods for your skin. It’s packed with vitamin A,

vitamin C and vitamin E, which are all help fight wrinkles. Are you sure you don’t like pumpkins?

Read also – 8 Best Foods for Your Kidneys 4. Pumpkin helps keep your heart healthy As I mentioned above, pumpkin (especially pumpkin seeds!) is good for your heart. It helps reduce your levels of LDL or “bad cholesterol.” And the healthy cholesterol levels mean a healthy and happy heart. Pumpkin seeds are also rich in magnesium, an essential mineral, of which many people have a deficiency these days. Magnesium helps normalize the blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.

5. Pumpkin is good for your eyes According to the National Institutes of Health, a cup of cooked and mashed pumpkin has over 200 percent of your recommended daily amount of vitamin A, which helps keep your vision sharp, especially in dim light. Moreover, pumpkin is a great source of carotenoids, and it provides your eyes with powerful antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. Enjoy your favorite pumkin smoothie today to keep your eyes healthy!

6. Pumpkin can help you lose weight Pumpkin is a fantastic weight loss food. A cup of pumpkin contains 3 grams of fiber and only 49 calories. Pumpkin keeps you feeling fuller for longer by slowing down overall digestion, and you don’t have to worry about calories. A healthy pumpkin soup or pumpkin risotto makes a perfect dinner for dieters since it can keep you full until morning!

7. Pumpkin strengthens your immune system The season of cold and flu is here, so it’s important to boost your immune system. Pumpkin is plentiful in zinc and vitamin C, which are essential for your immune system health. A cup of cooked pumpkin contains over 11 milligrams of vitamin C, so why not make pumpkin the star of your meal this winter season? You can make your own pumpkin ravioli, or pumpkin oatmeal, or simply roast your own pumpkin seeds.

These 8 ways can help you get rid of dark circles Dark circles bothering you much? It is time to say goodbye to them. Since the area around the eyes is extremely thin, it is easier for dark circles to appear quite often especially if you haven’t slept well for a few nights. But with these 8 DIY tips, you can manage this problem like a pro! Here’s what you can do. But before that read why do we have dark circles in the first place.

1 Keep the area hydrated The skin under your eyes is extremely thin, thinner than your face’s skin so it needs extra care. There are no oil glands present here so applying an under-eye gel or cream is recommended. Do this every night to keep it hydrated and prevent lines and wrinkles, get rid of dark circles.

2 Clean the area with care Never use your regular facewash here as it might rip the moisture off and leave it feeling itchy and dry. You can use a wet cotton ball or tissue wipes to clean it or special eye make-up removers. But do not rub vigorously.

3 Try face yoga In order to keep lines and wrinkles at bay around the eyes and prevent dark circles, practise this exercise by face yoga expert Danielle Collins. Put both your middle fingers together between your eyebrows then apply pressure to the outer corners of your eyes with your index fingers. Look up and start to move the lower eyelids upwards, making a strong squint. Then relax and repeat six more times. To finish, squeeze your eyes shut for 10 seconds then relax.

Here are some yoga asanas you could try for dark circles.

4 Try these home remedies While cucumber slices are no doubt relaxing, another way to soothe your tired eyes is by putting ice-cold teabags on them, especially of green tea as it is rich in antioxidants.

Instead of throwing those bags, store them in the fridge and them keep them on your eyelids and surrounding area and relax. Another way to remove puffiness is by wrapping an ice cube in a towel and placing it on your eyes. This naturally helps get rid of those dark circles. Here are some more home remedies for dark circles.

5 Use under-eye gels Gels with aloe vera, vitamin E and C are good for your skin as they are soothing, protect the skin and boost collagen production respectively.

6 Conceal when you need to When nothing works, make-up comes to your rescue. You can use a concealer to hide those lines and dark circles.

In order to apply it properly, first moisturise the area with a gel or cream and then with your ring finger, apply tiny dots of the concealer under your eyes. Now gently blend it in your skin using your finger. After this, dab some loose mineral powder with a sponge to complete the look and avoid smudging. Here are more tips to use a concealer the right way.

7 Consult a skin specialist If your dark circles still don’t seem to go away, it is best to see a skin specialist who can advise treatments such as chemical peels or laser therapy. Here are expert-recommended treatments for dark circles. #8 Maintain a healthy lifestyle Remember too much alcohol, smoking, lack of sleep, tiredness and an unbalanced diet are also responsible for dark circles and puffiness. So, make sure you get enough sleep, drink a lot of fluids and eat well.

WoW!

WHO IS THIS FITNESS TRAINER

Ravi Seth is a Mumbai-based personal trainer whose clients include celebrities, profession athletes, and everyday people..

Ravi works with each on an individual basis, focusing on achieving long-term results through challenging and constantly varied workouts. He is widely recognized for his expertise in Fusion Functional Training and his commitment to developing and implementing innovative fitness techniques. With over 14 years in the fitness industry, Ravi’s dynamic approach, boundless energy and humor only add taught the effectiveness of the experience what his client’s enjoy. With a client list as diverse as his training methods, Ravi emphasizes strength training modalities that can be transferred from the gym to daily life, from training camp to championship game. Athletes looking forward to improve their game from Cricket to Hockey, Badminton, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Boxing & Cycling or Marathon Running which helps gaining them muscle endurance stamina & strength for any sports. With his creative invention he has bought up a new tool in the fitness industry through Fusion Functional Training where the transformation becomes much more faster in a smart way of training, besides improving their cardio-vascular health keeping them fit & energetic entire day. Many well-known film and television celebrities are implementing his innovative techniques consistently these days. Ravi is certified by the ISSA. (International Sports Science Association).

FUSION FUNCTIONAL TRAINING Fusion Functional Training is Ravi Seth’s creation Its a faster and effective way to save time and achieve desired results from your efforts..

Fusion Combining two different exercise performing as one is called fusion.

Functional Training Functional Training as exercise using three-dimensional moments or standing on unstable surface.

Functional training has to do with getting stronger in the basic lifts. Its about regaining your muscle balance and fundamental movement ability before you begin doing the basic lifts.

ATTITUDE DETERMINES ALTITUDE Rope Drill Battling the Rope is one of the most challenging cardiovascular workouts. If you can spare 20 mins max for your training then Battling the rope can be the best full body conditioning training to choose.!

The key to ropes is to make a pretty pattern in the rope. Pretty pattern’s are cues for efficient & safe moment this is because the shoulder are the prime movers for the rope drills as clients starts to fatigue the biceps take over the pattern should flow all the way to the anchor point if the pattern dies out halfway down the rope then you need to add more power so it’s very important to train under an experienced certified personal trainer to watch the form after all safety is the first priority in training.

1: Speed 2: Power 3: Agility 4: Reaction and 5: Quickness

AGILITY LADDERS Using the Nike SPARQ parachute, I help my clients develop these 5 key components of superior strength and flexibility:

With resistance helps you build your strength LOOK NO FURTHER! Cardio and Strength training all in one.

PARACHUTE RUNNING Optimal consistent performance by wearing FLEX NIMBO TRAINING GEAR (worn by my client Hyacinth Carruthers here) When you wear the gear, your upper and lower body are applied with constant resistance Simultaneously, hence resulting in Improved and higher fitness levels.

Personal Training one on one. Age group: 6 years old to any age group.

Certified Fitness Trainer, Consultant, Performance & Sports Nutritionist Indoor & Outdoor Functional & Plyometric Training When it comes to outdoor training Flex Nimbo and Agility Ladders is an Amazing combination to work on your cardiovascular and muscular system.

It improves Dynamic Balance, Focus, Agility, Ankle Joint Conditioning!

Building strength translates into a better overall athletic performance. Wind-resistance training with speed chutes provides overall muscular resistance. Depending on the chute size, they can produce between 15 and 30 pounds (6.8 kilograms and 13.6 kilograms) of resistance, similar to running on a windy day, running through water or running up a hill.

Speed chutes build fast-twitch muscles. Fast-twitch muscle fibers are advantageous for short bursts of strength or speed, critical in shorter races like the 100-meter (109-yard) dash. That’s why sprinters find the most use in speed chutes. Fast-twitch muscles also provide explosive speed and fast directional change in football, basketball, baseball, soccer and lacrosse players. The NFL uses speed chutes throughout their pre-

season practices.

Middle-distance and long-distance runners, on the other hand, focus on building strength and increasing endurance while maintaining flexibility. Their focus is building the slow-twitch muscles. Slow-twitch muscles use oxygen efficiently so that an athlete performs continuously, over a long period of time, which is critical for longer distance races. The chutes aren’t effective for building slow-twitch muscles. That’s why middle- and longer-distance runners use them less often.

But both groups can benefit from the extra overall resistance training, which builds strength in the calves, thighs and quads as well as the core. This holistic approach to strength building makes for a more competitive and vigorous overall athlete.

An increase in overall strength leads to an increase in the amount of force an athlete applies to the ground, thus projecting them forward faster. The increased strength in your calves and ankles allows you to take off faster and take longer, enhanced strides.

The chute provides progressive resistance, meaning the faster you run, the more it drags. So no matter how fast you run, it provides enough resistance to increase strength. That’s why it’s effective for every ability level. https://www.youtube.com/user/sethravi007

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15 Reason to Practice Meditation Meditation is a Buddhist method which is consisted of sitting quietly and paying attention to your own inspiration and mindfulness. The goal is to keep your thoughts from wandering off to some never, never land but instead, you should try focusing on your breathing. Many people think they cannot just sit still enough to do this. It’s kind of sad when you think how hard it is to find that peaceful part of the day when you can just breathe in and out. However, keep in mind that meditation is a practice, and don’t pressure yourself to achieve Nirvana the first few times you sit on the floor. Just try to find that peace of mind we are all searching for, because it will bring you many benefits.

1. There are some studies that claim that meditation

can have a positive impact on brain and immune system.

According to these studies, by practicing meditation for a short period of time, brain and immune functions are being demonstrable affected. This means that mindfulness meditation can change brain and immune function in a positive way, and therefore it shows its benefits for the general human health system.

2. It is a fact that meditation has posi-

tive influence on the physical pain we might be experiencing. Some of these benefits can be realized after only four days of training, which also suggests that meditation may have a successful role in future clinical settings.

Some studies have shown that there is a positive relationship between meditation and pain relief. Meditation likely alters pain by strengthening cognitive control.

3. There are some claims that meditation has a positive impact on reducing anxiety as well. Just the fact that we sat down for a minute and stopped thinking about our worse fears ever is definitely good for us. Of course, there are severe cases of anxiety in which meditation by itself cannot help. By practicing meditation we are letting go of panic, anxiety and even panic disorder with agoraphobia.

4. Together with influencing our

experiences of pain, meditation can alter our way of thinking from pessimist to someone who actually sees something good in every bad situation. We don’t say you’ll automatically become super happy if you generally tend to explain all the bad things first, but some studies have actually shown that after some time, people who practice meditation have more positive views on life.

5. Meditation is popular guys! Did you know that 30 million Ameri-

cans have tried meditation or they practice meditation regularly? This might sound a bit shallow, but this is a great way to spend your precious free time. You can practice it alone or in groups, and if Oprah and NFL players can do it, you might just think about if those TV shows you planned to watched over the weekend are really the best way to spend your time.

6. Did you know that meditation can

actually boost your social life? Also, did you know that it is not true that meditation requires loneliness.

Sometimes you might even feel the need to meditate with someone else.

Even some research claims that meditation increases social connection between the people. It is also very beneficial when it comes to reducing loneliness- people who practice meditation tend to feel less lonely than ones who don’t practice it.

7. Meditation won’t make your brain bigger, we won’t try to convince you in that, but it will help you resolve some issues quicker than before. According to some researches, meditation increases cortical thickness, especially in zones connected to introspection and attention. Also, meditation increases gray matter in areas related to memory and thinking (hippo-campusand frontal zones). Finally, people who practice meditation experience more positive emotions and self-control.

8. Besides the fact that meditation makes you better with other

people, it also makes you better with yourself. Researches have shown that meditation boosts social connection, and we feel better after successful social connections, right?

Meditation also improves empathy and compassion, which makes us more reliable in contact with other people. People who practice meditation are generally more helpful and they show better resilience in hard times.

9. What would you think if we told you that meditation increases wisdom? If you ever felt like losing the sight of big picture and feeling trapped in everyday obligations, then you should definitely try out meditation. Many people feel a bit overwhelmed from time to time, and they feel like they have a little too much on their plate. Practicing meditation can help you find the solution to those problems, because it calms your mind and helps you think more clearly.

10. The more you practice meditation, the better you will feel!

Researchers have found that meditation decreases depression and stress.

Generally, people who practice meditation tend to have a more optimistic way of thinking, because they realize how small everyday obstacles actually are.

When you find the peace in yourself, every other external factor can be managed or changed so you don’t have to deal with stress or anxiety.

Meditation is all about open-mindedness and balancing your manner of thinking.

11.

Self-Love: unfortunately we can be our own worst enemies. Meditation teaches you to become a silent observer behind your thoughts, a way to eliminate the thoughts that cause selfharm and awaken positive self-talk. You are attracted to your thoughts, meditation allows you to observe yourself without any judgement. Meditation can open up your inner-self to more love and admiration.

12. Meditation is also said to help with balanc-

ing the nervous system. A 1974 study conducted at Harvard Medical School, reported that borderline hypertension could be treated with meditation, aka regulate your blood pressure. The study and others suggest that by adopting the practice most people under the age of 40 could expect to fall below the limit of 130.90 of hyper tension.

Imagine how simple it could be to lower your blood pressure by just sitting quietly by yourself each day.

13. Listen up ladies, if you suffer from PMS or

fertility issues, meditation could help. There has been studies that show up to 58% of PMS symptoms lessened when women meditate regularly. Women who are suffering from hot flashes also experienced less intense flashes when they meditated regularly. Clearing the mind also awakens more mindful power, aka if you want to lessen your PMS during meditation just ask your mind to do it.

14. Meditation is also known for increasing

productivity. We all have those days, where no matter how much we try we can’t seem to get anything done. Most people who meditate find that they

can focus better and get more done in a shorter amount of time. Even if your are having a moment of frazzled chaos, try meditating for a quick 15 minutes. After you have cleared your mind you can restart the task at hand.

Clearing your mind will help you finish things quicker and focus your mind.

15. This one is for your grandparents or aging parents,

meditation is a known way to keep the elderly from feeling lonely. Loneliness can increase a number of health conditions which span from depression. The University of California, Los Angeles, found that mindfulness meditation can help decrease these feelings of loneliness amongst the elderly and boost their health by reducing the expression of genes linked to inflammation.

Greece by Curren hakkar Think Greece and conjure up images of white-washed villages cascading down hillsides, azure seas sparkling in bright sunshine and powder-soft white sand beaches. A visit to this special country is a lifelong dream for many, as it delivers an astounding array of breathtaking landscapes, ancient ruins, joie de vivre and something that is simply hard to define – a dreamy quality unique to Greece. One of top 5 honeymoon destination in the world, it offers the most mesmerizing sun sets ever seen. Greece & the Greek Islands are known for 3 things: Ancient Civilization, amazing landscapes and high developed tourism. Really beloved by people, Greece is so rich in culture and beauty that it never seems to be completely explored, no matter how many times you visit it. After all, this is one of the reasons that brought it in the list with the top 20 tourist destinations worldwide. It is all about Greece, from nature to locals that makes people coming and coming to this wonderful land every summer.

The Greek Islands are separated in 6 main categories.

Cyclades with its lovely white houses and the clear blue sea, with islands of natural beauty such as Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Kea, Syros, Kithnos, Serifos, Paros, Naxos, Antiparos, Kimolos, Ios, Amorgos, Milos, Folegandros, Santorini and Sifnos.

Dodecanese, likewise Cyclades known for the beauty of the landscape and the architecture, with Patmos, Rhodes, Lipsi, Karpathos, Leros, Kasos, Kalymnos, Kos, Astypalaia, Nisiros, Simi, Tilos and Chalki.

Ionian Islands known for the all-green islands and the warm welcome of the Ionian people, with the islands of Kerkyra, Paxoi, Lefkada, Kefallonia, Ithaki, Zakynthos and Kythira.

Aegean Islands with clear blue seas, ideal for majestic calm vacations, with the islands of Samos, Limnos, Agios Efstratios, Lesvos, Psara, Chios, Inousses, Ikaria and Fournoi.

Sporades, known for the beauty of the islands’ nature and the clear blue-green seas reflecting the pine trees that reach all the way down to the sea, with the islands of Skiathos, Alonissos, Skopelos and Skyros.

Crete, the huge Greek island with the big cultural history and the welcoming people, divided into four big areas: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklio and Ag. Nikolaos and the very well known beaches of Elounda and Sitia.

Filming in Greece Starting from 1997, the Indian cinema started making its first steps in Greece. Indian movies had been already very popular amongst the Greeks since the days of Nargis in the 60’s, but the Indian film industry did not produce any movie in Greece. The beginning was made with the shooting of the song “Kissa Hum Likhenge” for the Bollywood movie “Doli Saja Ke Rakhna” which was released the following year in India. The big stars of the Indian cinema, Akshaye Khanna and Jyothika Saravanan, who performed in this song, broke the pomegranate and since then 5 more Bollywood movies were shot in various beautiful places of Greece. Besides, the first Telugu film production in Greece started with the shooting of a song for “Kedi” with Nagarjuna and Mamta Mohandas.

These films are Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998), Chalte Chalte (2003), Tashan (2008), Wanted (2009), Kedi (2010), Game (2011), Jodi Breakers (2012) and Bang Bang (2014). The locations in which they were produced are given along with

videoclips of the film songs in the following pages.

I hope that more movies will be added in this list in the coming years and the film industry will bring closer Greece and India, two countries so distant from each other, but so close in culture, emotions and colors.

Affordable Greece To some, a trip to Greece may seem like a mirage – unattainable and forever in the distance – but in fact, it’s an affordable place to visit these days. Even as the country deals with a continuing financial crisis, the tourism industry is still there, ready and raring to go. What this means for travelers now is that places that used to be overrun or pricey are more affordable, with a greater array of availability than usual and more bang for your buck.

Whether exploring some of the world’s most impressive ruins or dining at a seaside tavern, a trip to Greece can be done with style and variety, without breaking the bank. Plus, it is a chance to funnel much-needed funds into an economy that relies heavily on the tourism industry. Travel independently, eschewing the big consolidators and package dealers, and go with mom and pop outfits instead and you will not only be funding local folks, but you will have the intimate experience of integrating into the villages and towns you visit.

- Affordable Athens Athens is usually the gateway for any Greece trip, and it really is a must for at least a couple of days in order to take in the truly magnificent Acropolis and its neighboring sights: the Theatre of Dionysos, where theatre originated, and the Ancient Agora, where Socrates expounded his philosophy. While museums in other parts of the world charge $30 for entrance, a joint ticket for the Acropolis plus 10 other ancient Athenian sights cost a mere €12, and €6 for kids. The sweeping, excellent Acropolis Museum costs just €5. For a few euros more you can also visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus with its colossal fallen columns, abutted by Hadrian’s Arch (free!) and the nearby Panathenaic Stadium, in all its marble glory. Of course, the main expense on any trip is lodging, but now more than ever deals can be had for quite stylish accommodations. In Athens, try everything from excellent budget options like Hotel Adonis to mid-range deals like the Hera Hotel at the foot of the Acropolis, the uber-stylish New Hotel, or the boutique, elegant Magna Grecia.

- Top island tips Even famous islands, like Corfu with its culture-laden old town, imposing fortresses, and absorbing walking streets and architecture, offers deals: live well at Bella Venezia, a former girls’ school converted into a lovely boutique hotel with all the trimmings, and dine on some of the best food in the country in the city’s many restaurants. Wholesome Greek cooking at To Tavernaki Tis Marinas starts at €6 per plate and high-end you’re-

gonna-dream-about-it-later meals at La Cucina range from €13 to €25.

Another way to hit the top islands, like Santorini with its spectacular caldera (and usually sky-high prices), is to get a bit creative. Get super-sensible prices on Santorini lodging through sights like Airbnb. By eschewing the traditional hotel model, you’ll find studios with kitchenettes or even a sunset view windmill in Oia that’s been converted into a two-bedroom, two-bathroom family vacation rental. Since it can sleep seven, the price (US$283 per night, at the time of writing) is a downright bargain! In addition to Santorini’s more obvious charms, it’s also been named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations in 2014 (along with Samos and Crete) for its superlative wine, predominantly an Assyrtiko.

- Off the beaten path Incredible trips and outstanding value also abound in lesser touristed corners of the country. For example, not far from super-chic Mykonos, the rural, gorgeous island of Tinos, with its terraced hillsides, top-notch local cuisine, Church of Panagia Evangelistria (a shrine on the level of Lourdes) and marble villages, remains a little-known highlight. Stay at the old-school Tinion Hotel, with its sweeping veranda and antique-filled rooms, and explore the island: from the fascinating Museum of Marble Crafts (€3) in Pyrgos, to beachside Thalassaki (tel. 22830 31366) in Ormos Isternia, where you’ll have perhaps one of the best meals of your life. They specialize in seafood, incorporating local ingredients such as cheeses, sausages and wild artichokes, at €10 to €14 per dish.

Two other spots that are tops for exquisite living at bargain prices are the Peloponnese and the island of Lefkada in the Ionian Island group. The vast Peloponnese is loaded with fantastic sights from Byzantine cities and Mycenaean palaces, to lush orchards, hike-able gorges and snow-capped peaks. Wonderfully cool, affordable hotels fill its Venetian town of Nafplio (try Amfitriti Pension, Pension Marianna or Adiandi), or stay in the walled seaside castle-town of Monemvasia (try Malvasia Hotel). In general, throughout the Peloponnese excellent, home-cooked taverna meals regularly start at €6.

And most of the sights are cheap (€3!) or free.

On the other hand, Lefkada is for beaches! Its western coast has some of the most spectacular in the country, if not the world, and they cry out for exploration. The friendly husband and wife team of Manolis and Romina have restored a mansion in Lefkada town, Hotel Boschetto, for those who want to be close to the promenade action. They also have a collection of impeccable maisonettes at Mira Resort, overlooking a large pool with sweeping views of the sea. Because

of its off-the-beaten-path nature, your euro goes a long way in Lefkada. With your own wheels, head into the rolling hills of central Lefkada to find the unique Kolyvata Taverna, where Mrs. Maria serves you from her home, with delicious dishes based on seasonal produce, ranging from €5 to €8 each.

With a bit of strategic planning and a willingness to travel free of package tours, Greece offers delightful, affordable surprises around every bend. Those mentioned here are just a very bare minimum. Search further and you’ll find great deals in places like lush, idiosyncratic Kefallonia, or tiny, wild Serifos. Head inland and explore vibrant cities like Thessaloniki, or mountainous regions like Epiros with its exquisite Zagorohoriaregion and plenty more awaits you.

es from gentle plateaus dotted with windmills to canyons and mountains. Hiking the Samaria Gorge, Europe’s longest at 16km, brings you through the homeland of Crete’s famed wild goat, the kri kri. The Zakros-Kato Zakros (a former Minoan palace site) amble in eastern Crete is more relaxed. Cool relief awaits on the forested ‘river walk’ at southern Plakias (inquire at the excellent Youth Hostel Plakias). The Greek Mountaineering Club of Hania informs Finding the right Greek Island - Best for Beaches: Crete, Lipsi, Kefallonia, Skia- about trekking opportunities and conditions, while Hania’s Alpine Travel organises walking and trekking tours. thos, Mykonos Almost every Greek isle has great beaches, but few come Fertile Naxos boasts numerous walks along the old paths with a Venetian castle, like laid-back Frangokastello Beach connecting the villages of the central plain; these traverse in southern Crete. For lapping turquoise waters, try Platys ancient temples, Hellenistic towers and Byzantine churches. For guided walks contact Flisvos Sport Club. The Gialos and Kambos on quiet Lipsi, and the stunning cove Sporadic isles of Alonnisos and Skopelos, full of forests, at Myrtos Beach in Kefallonia. To see and be seen, bowl orchards and wildflowers, offer more excellent walks; conup to one of Skiathos’ 65 beaches, join the mainstream tact the Alonnisos Walking Club and Skopelos Walks. masses at 1200m-long Koukounaries Beach or bronze - Best for responsible travel: Zakynthos, Chios, up on nudist-friendly Banana and Little Banana Beach, Crete popular with the gay and lesbian set. Even more full-on Volunteer to protect endangered wildlife like sea turtles are the legendary Paradise and Super Paradise beaches on Zakynthos with the Earth, Sea & Sky Center and Sea on decadent Mykonos.

Turtle Protection Society. Get your hands dirty while tend- Best for History: Rhodes, Delos, Corfu, Patmos ing endemic mastic trees, and explore Chios’ other ecoGape at Rhodes’ magnificent, walled old town, where the tourism opportunities with Masticulture in Mesta. Finally, Knights of St John ruled from 1309-1523, and explore enjoy guilt-free eating and sleeping in Crete’s secluded their quarter before visiting the 14th-century Palace of mountains at Milia Traditional Settlement, powered by solar the Grand Masters. Tiny Delos, near Mykonos, was once energy and living off its organic farm and good vibrations. dedicated to Apollo; see ruins of shrines to the gods and Best for Cycling: Evia, Kos, Thasos explore mosaic-rich ancient dwellings. Kick back in Corfu’s - old town, with its Venetian, French and British architecture. The meandering country roads of Evia make for blissfully stress-free cycling. Another favourite is well-equipped On ethereal Patmos, visit the Monastery of St John the Kos, bursting with bike-rental places. Excellent forested Theologian, and see the grotto where the saint wrote the trails (and a popular international race) bring mountain bikBook of Revelations. ing aficionados to Thasos.

- Best for Walking: Crete, Naxos, Alonnisos, - Best for Diving and Snorkeling: Karpathos, MiSkopelos los, Paros, Kastellorizo The varied terrain on Greece’s biggest island, Crete, rang-

For organised dives in sea caves full of colourful aquatic life, check out Karpathos Diving School on Karpathos. Milos has phenomenal diving; Diving Center Milos brings you face-to-face with deep-sea fish, dolphins and even monk seals.

Snorkelling is also great here, and on Paros and remote Kastellorizo.

- Best for Food and Drink: Lesvos, Samos, Corfu, Folegandros, Crete Lesvos is renowned for its olive oil and its ouzos (it produces some 70 percent of all Greek ouzos). The national aperitif is served with mixed mezedhes (appetizers) at traditional ouzeries (ouzo restaurants), which blend the island’s old Turkish influences with Greek seafood specialities. Lesvos produces fine wine, as does Samos, famed for its sweet muscat dessert wine.

Like other Ionian islands, Corfu was never Ottomanised, and its cuisine remains Italian-flavoured. Folegandros’ Cycladic specialities include matsata (pasta with rabbit/chicken in red sauce), astakomakaronada (lobster with spaghetti) and liokafto (sun-dried fish). Crete is famous for its olive oil and specialties like dakos (rusks topped with tomato, olive oil and cheese) and myzithra (sweet cheese, used in kalitsounia pastries). Horta (wild greens) provide seasoning for fish or roast lamb.

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Greece Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With over sixty inhabited islands, historic sites that span four millennia, idyllic beaches and towering mountain ranges there is a wide variety oftourist attractions in Greece to explore. And despite the debt crisis with credit downgrades and protest by day, Greece as a travel destination is as popular as it has ever been.

10) Mount Athos Mount Athos is a mountain and a peninsula in northern Greece. The peninsula, the easternmost “leg” of the larger Halkidiki peninsula houses some 1,400 monks in 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries. An autonomous state under Greek sovereignty, entry into Mount Athos is strictly controlled and only males are allowed entrance.

9) Mystras Situated near ancient Sparta, Mystras served as the capital of the Peloponnesus in the 14th and 15th centuries, ruled by relatives of the Byzantine emperor. The site remained inhabited throughout the Ottoman period but was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape.

8) Lindos Lindos is a medieval village on the island of Rhodes that is made up of a network of cobbled streets amid whitewashed houses. Above the town rises the acropolis of Lindos, offering spectacular views of the surrounding harbors and coastline. Lindos beach and Saint Pauls beach are only a short distance from the town center.

7) Samaria Gorge The Samariá Gorge is a 16 km (10 miles) long canyon in southwest Crete. Walking the Samariá Gorge is extremely popular and more than a quarter million tourists do so each year. The walk takes 4 to 7 hours and passes through forests of ancient cypresses and pines, then cuts between vertical cliffs through the mountains to emerge at Agia Roumeli on the Libyan sea.

Located in the north-west of Kefalonia, Myrtos 6) Myrtos Beach Beach is world-famous for the magical colors of the water. The blue and turquoise colors of the sea contrast sharply with the bright white of the smooth marble pebbles of the beach. The steep mountains and tall cliffs behind Myrtos beach only add to its beauty. For all these reasons Myrtos has previously been voted 12 times as the best beach in Greece.

5) Delphi Theatre In ancient times Delphi was the most important site in ancient Greek religion, home to the sanctuary and oracle of Apollo. The ancient theatre of Delphi was built on a hill giving spectators a view of the entire sanctuary and the spectacular landscape below. It was originally built in the 4th and could seat 5,000 spectators.

Today it is one of the top tourist attractions in Greece.

4) Meteora Metéora (“suspended in the air”) in central Greece is a collection of six monasteries spectacular situated on top of several rock pillars.

The first monastery in Metéora was founded in the 14th century. Access to the monasteries was deliberately difficult, requiring either long ladders or large nets used to haul up both goods and people. This required quite a leap of faith – the ropes were replaced only “when the Lord let them break”.

3) Mykonos Mykonos is famed as a cosmopolitan destination amongst the Greek islands and widely recognized as one of the best tourist attractions in Greece. Mykonos Town (Chora) is a stunningly picturesque Cycladic town with a maze of tiny streets and whitewashed steps lanes. It is also known for its sandy beaches and diverse and intense nightlife as evidenced by a vast number of bars and nightclubs.

2) Parthenon, Acropolis The Parthenon on top of the Acropolis is one of the most famous Greece tourist attractions and a visit toAthens is not complete without visiting this temple. The construction of the Parthenon started in 447 BC, replacing and older temple that was destroyed by the Persians, and completed in 432 BC. During its long life the Parthenon has served as a temple, fortress, a church, a mosque and even as a powder magazine.

1) Santorini Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands. It is famous for its dramatic views, stunning sunsets, the whitewashed houses, and its very own active volcano. Fira, the capital of Santorini, is a marriage of Venetian and Cycladic architecture, whose white cobblestone streets bustle with shops, tavernas, hotels and cafes, while clinging on the edge of the 400 meter (1,300 ft) high cliffs.

The Hottest Celebrity Bodies of Summer 2014 Blockbusters Summer blockbusters are always entertaining, the chilled theaters offering a reprieve from the scorching heat. These sizzling flicks are also a great time to get some inspiration for the gym. There are some incredible summer movies coming out over the next few months, with equally incredible hotties we look forward to seeing on the big screen!

If Oscar gave trophies for best big screen bods, the academy would have to choose between these actors and actresses!

1. Zac Efron Efron’s film Neighbors has already been released, but is definitely being considered a summer hit. Playing a college kid living next door to a married couple with a baby, Efron is, well, clearly hitting the campus gym on a very regular basis.

Follow his steps. Definitely an inspiration.

2. Cameron Diaz Starring in Sex Tape, Cameron Diaz plays Jason Segel’s really hot wife. Now, Diaz has always had a pretty spectacular body, but starring in a movie revolving around being scantily — or not at all — clad is a pretty big deal. Diaz looks hotter than ever, and the movie looks hilarious. How does she do it? Read about it her new release The Body Book.

3. Jason Segel

Speaking of Sex Tape, coming out this month, Segel has really toned up since How I Met Your Mother ended. Though Segel was always adorable, he really has gotten into shape–likely because he is in a movie about filming a sex tape with his wife. His simple, effective trick? Eating healthier and working out.

4. Scarlett Johansson

Obviously Johansson has an incredible body, one she gets to put to the test and show off a bit in her summer hit, Lucy. The film is set to release in July, and we’ll see Johansson become impregnated with something that makes her not only incredibly intelligent, but also a super fighter. Johansson consistently plays women who kick butt, relying on 90-minute circuit workouts, multiple times per week to stay fit enough for these powerhouse roles.

In the buddy comedy 22 Jump Street, Tatum plays the police officer opposite of Jonah Hill’s cop. Though Tatum and Hill are both hilarious, Tatum plays the hot, but rather ditzy friend.

That all being said, Tatum’s body is on point, rocking tank tops and big guns–if you know what I mean. Full body workouts, with a three day on/one day off schedule, lasting 30 minutes each help him stay ripped!

5. Channing Tatum

6. Emily Blunt

Opposite Tom Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow, Blunt is rocking a fit and fantastic shape for the futuristic action film. She’s known for relying on yoga to keep that slim and trim body.

7. Mark Wahlberg Starring in the fourth of the Transformers series, Wahlberg continues to impress us with his toned muscles, sharp abs, and always pointed wit. No stranger to the gym as far back as those famous underwear days, he loves the heavy lifting of the weight room.

8. Megan Fox Though Fox is not starring in the new Transformers film, she is playing April in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Better?

Arguably so! Fox’s body — specifically her gorgeous abs — is thanks to focusing on her cardio and in part to an occasional cleanse.

9. Bruce Willis

At 59 years old, Willis, the star of the next installment of the Sin City movies, has an incredible physique.

Willis mixes up his fitness regimen in order to focus on a vast range of his muscles.

10. Jennifer Aniston

In Life of Crime, Aniston plays a hostage stuck in the middle of a ransom situation. The movie looks great, but not as great as Aniston’s gorgeous summer body. Anyone who follows Aniston at all knows her trick: yoga, clean eating, and an absolutely active lifestyle. Aniston has been doing it for years, and she looks better than ever.

Justin Timberlake Workout Celebrity Workouts Justin told Playboy in 2011 that he prefers to have a toned body rather than look like a meathead. He not only workouts in gym but also does rigorous dance training when he tours and participates regularly in snowboarding, basketball, and gold. He is married to our Jessica Biel, who also made our Top 10 Fittest Celebrities List 2014 and they are often seen jogging together and hiking with their dogs.

He does not believe in doing exercise every day so he workouts around 4-5 days a week and when he needs to diet, he cuts out high carb beer. Outdoor games help him to maintain his body shape and provide excellent cross training in order to maintain his all around toned, strong body. He has been quoted as saying: “I’ve done well, but the reason is pretty simple: I’ve worked my *ss off,” he says.

“Anything I’ve done well has taken many, many hours of preparation.”

This applies to his work ethic in general but also his fitness training.

Madonna Workout

53, Madonna is a living entertainment legend, now even owns a chain of fitness gyms worldwide and is not shy about her own rigorous training and diet. Madonna possesses a level of commitment to health and fitness that most people can’t even imagine. It takes dedication to exercise, nutrition (she eats a macrobiotic diet), and sleep. Her focus in training is on strength at a cardio pace.

“No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.”

Madonna specifically moves through a lot of strength movements at a steady, unforgiving pace in addition to yoga, pilates, and hours of dance rehearsals daily.

Jennifer Lopez Workout This beautiful 44 year old Latina woman knows about being active and fit! She began her career as a professional dancer and has maintained her fitness since then. In terms of her fitness routine, she varies her cardio so as to not get bored and believes that there is nothing better than your own body weight to help you lose or shift fat.

“Having twins changed my body. It feels different on the inside as well as the outside. The texture of my muscles has even changed. I feel like I’ve hit my stride in my 40s. In my 20s I knew nothing about taking care of my body but now I’m 41, I feel like this is the age. I think women are looking after themselves more than ever.”

In terms on nutrition, she does not believe in starving herself but follows a regimen that ensures she eats the right things at the right time. She also drinks a lot of water daily.

Tim McGraw Workout

At age 46, Tim McGraw has maintained a 40-lbs weight loss in his 40s. He states his motivation for getting fit is to be able to perform in front of his fans, have energy, and feel good- he even quit alcohol. He has said he works out around 4 hours a day when not performing, using pulleys and bars and doing core training, while incorporating strength and balanced movements to build up the muscles between the ribs and connective tissues.

“The reason you want to do this is to be in front of thousands of people, playing that guitar and doing what you love.

And when I’m on stage, I want to feel good.”

He does, however, admit that he enjoys occasional indulgences such as a burger or sweet tea- but does an extra hour of working out to counterbalance the extra calories.