No engagement plans: Kareena

Bollywood diva Kareena Kapoor Tuesday rubbished reports that she and her beau Saif Ali Khan are planning to get formally engaged on Feb 10.

Setting the record straight, the actress said: "It's completely false, there are no such plans."

The actress was in the capital to promote her forthcoming film "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu", which is releasing Friday, along with her co-star Imran Khan and director Shakun Batra.

Ever since Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza have tied the knot, Kareena has been stormed with questions about her marriage plans.

When asked, she Dodged the question saying, "There are no plans as of now. We are only looking forward to the release of 'Agent Vinod'. It will release in March."

But Imran, known for his witty replies, joked, "(Kareena and Saif will get married) one week after the release of 'Agent Vinod' and that's April 1st, the April Fool's Day."

He looked at Kareena and added: "You could have taken my answer, it would definitely have made headlines."

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No more action films, vows Kareena Kapoor

No more action-packed movies, says Kareena Kapoor, who has done daredevil stunts in the spy thriller "Agent Vinod", which is her boyfriend Saif Ali Khan's home production.

"I don't enjoy action films. I don't like action scenes and stunts. I like conversational and romantic films like 'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu'. I am scared of action and gun shots. Saif used to get angry and say 'you can't do that'" said Kareena.

"No more action films for me, no more harness and no stunts at all! After 'Agent Vinod', I enjoy song and dance sequences much more," she added.

"Agent Vinod" is slated for a March 23 release.

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All fired up

Entrepreneur Atinirmal Pagarani on his foray into fashion from real estate

 

Atinirmal Pagarani is your typical man about town. He parties and socialises with the cream of Dubai with as much aplomb as he manages his multi-million dirham ventures in Dubai and beyond. The managing director of the Yogi Group might know all about the rather dry world of real estate and construction but that hasn’t stopped him from exploring his passions and venturing into new exciting though untested territories, like fashion and retailing! And the reason he is comfortable with both extremes is because of his willingness to push the envelope and become a student all over again before pursuing a new business.

Ati also has mastered the art of maintaining a delicate balance in life – at work and at home! As he believes, “It’s tough but what’s got to be done, has to be done!” The young entrepreneur shares his success formulas in a chat with Masala!

What were your childhood and formative years like?
My parents are originally from Mumbai but I was born and raised in Dubai. I completed my schooling from The Indian High School and lived for four years in the UK for my graduate and post-graduate studies. My childhood was like that of any other kid whose family had migrated from India. Dad came to this city almost five decades ago. He started his life as a janitor in Yamaha Motors but gradually he worked his way up and became very successful.

I was the youngest of five kids and very pampered! My parents believed in showing their love for me through food. The result was that at one point I weighed nearly 140 kgs! Even today, my friends and family members are curious to know how I lost all that weight (laughs)!

My formative years were a lot of fun – travelling all over the world, indulging in crazy adventures and killing myself in the gym to get into shape!

Can you tell us a little about your work?
Well, I am the MD of Yogi Group (dad being the Chairman and my elder brother, the Deputy Chairman). Our group basically does anything and everything to a property except perhaps demolish it (laughs)!

Jokes apart, we are involved in all aspects of real estate – from buying, selling or leasing properties and constructing and maintaining them to facilities management, buying and selling of building materials, interior works and more. The group has now branched into the fashion and food industry. My work is very diverse and also demands a lot of travelling as we are currently active in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Mumbai, Riyadh and Jubail.

Yogi Group has had a remarkable success story. How did it start and grow to such an extent?
The group was started by my dad, Ghanshyam J Pagarani almost five decades ago. Our first venture was real estate. Dad was a very social person and he had close ties with several local families in the city. These families would often seek his help in leasing properties to Indians who had migrated to Dubai. Initially, he did it to merely help his friends but later thought of turning it a business. He always believed it was better to be your own boss than work for someone else! Thus Yogi Real Estate and Hassan Abdulla Darwesh Real Estate came into being.

In a few years he decided to broaden his horizons and start constructing buildings instead of just leasing or selling existing ones. It was simply a case of backward integration and soon we branched into companies dealing with trading and construction of building materials, leasing of equipment and so on. That’s how the ball began to roll!

What challenges did you face when you were setting up all these companies?
Since each company dealt with different activities, it was quite challenging to strike a balance. But it was also interesting as each division of the Yogi Group demanded a different approach thereby making life fresh and adventurous. We Pagaranis don’t know what monotony and boredom with one style of work is (laughs)! It does get tricky at times but we need to maintain a balance. If we have been successful in doing so, it’s largely due to our very efficient staff.

You recently tied up with Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor. What is it like working in the fashion industry after making a mark in the real estate and construction sector?
Fashion has always interested me but more from a buyer or shopper’s point of view. Styling family and close friends came naturally. I guess I have an eye for good fashion! I think I was almost destined to get into this industry.

Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor have been good friends and they always wanted to have a presence in the Middle Eastern market. They kept visiting Dubai to check out potential retail spaces with me. Gradually we decided to get into this together. I had to train myself and learn a lot about the retail business for I didn’t want to promise and not deliver. So I worked really hard to pick up the nuances of the business and fortunately things fell into place. I would not call it a shift as everything is running smoothly. I would say it was simply meant to be.

Working in the fashion industry has been fun but it’s also challenging and extremely competitive. The figures are way different when you compare it to construction or real estate but then again fashion is a passion and you cannot think about figures and numbers all the time!

I found it easier to get into this sector as I am a social person and the industry suited me. Being out there, being available, observant, critical, selective and open to changes with time has made it more exciting to be in this field.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
I would just advise them to do lots and lots of homework before stepping into anything new. Blindly getting into any venture because everyone else is doing it, is simply not worth it.

Prayers and hard work equals success. Whenever you are starting something new, put in all that you have and some day it will show positive results. Another important quality is patience, especially while working in competitive markets like the Middle East.

I must re-emphasise the importance of having good staff. Be extremely selective about who you recruit, it makes all the difference between the success and failure of your venture. Finally, start a business because you want to, not because you have to.

How do you handle the stress that comes with a role at your level?
Stress is a part and parcel of life, whatever sector you are in. I try to deal with problems by maintaining a disciplined diet, getting regular exercises and ensuring I have a peaceful, drama-free personal life! I make sure to be there for my family whenever they need me. I also have a good social circle and believe in taking holidays from time to time!

I feel it’s very important to take care of your health if you want to be truly stress-free. Everything else follows if you are physically and mentally fit. What is the point of earning all that money if you end up using it on medicines or hospital bills?

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
God willing, I hope to see myself equally happy five years from now as I am today. The future is a mystery and I would rather wait for it than worry about it and ruin my present! I am quite spiritual and feel God has something in mind for me and it’s for the best. Whatever has to happen five years from now will be better or as good!

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Sexiness lies in confidence: Sameera Reddy

Sameera Reddy believes that sexiness lies in the confidence and the attitude of a person. The sassy actor has never shied away from the cameras, no matter what.

Proud of her nickname -- Sexy Sam -- she says, "I am muhfaat (out spoken). I say whatever I feel, bindaas.

Some people just don't seem to get this aspect of being sexy right. No matter how much you show off, if you don't know how to confidently converse with the people around you, then it's a complete disaster.

"She adds, "Many say I have a really husky and deep voice and that they find it very sexy." Well Sam, we like it too!

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Talaash is unlike other action films

Bollywood Masala Magazine chatted with Rani Mukherji when she was in the UAE to launch Radio Mirchi

Rani Mukherji

As you tune into Radio Mirchi (97.3FM in Abu Dhabi, 88.8FM in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and 95.6FM in Al Ain) you may hear foot-tapping music and a million voices bursting out, but one voice that ensured the radio station was welcomed to a raucous applause in the UAE was none other than Rani Mukherji’s. Dressed in a beautiful sari, Rani was present at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi along with Prakash Pandey, the CEO of Entertainment in India (ENIL, which owns Radio Mirchi), Sandeep Sud, the station’s programming head Sandeep Sud and Radio Mirchi’s partners Abu Dhabi Media group represented by CEO Malcolm Wall and director Abdul Rahman Awadh Al Harthi. Masala.com chatted up the ‘Talaash’ actress on movies, music and radio habits!

Did you listen to a lot of radio while growing up? 
Not really. People may not know this but I was very studious as a kid. Books and friends took up most of my time. The only time I heard radio, being a Bengali, was during Durga Puja. My mother used to tune in to listen to prayers early in the morning.

If you were asked to manage a radio channel, what kind of programmes would you have on air? 
I would ensure that programmes on music topped the list. Any kind of music is good since it soothes you, excites you and makes you want to dance. People listen to music on all occasions so I can’t think of anything better to beat that.

There are a lot of action movies this year in the pipeline from ‘Agent Vinod,’ ‘Dabangg 2,’ ‘Race 2,’ to ‘Tezz’. What makes your upcoming movie ‘Taalash’ with Aamir any different?
Well just because two movies have action scenes it doesn’t make them both similar! ‘Taalash’ has a different script altogether with psychological thrills.

You have another interesting movie coming up, ‘Aiyaa’ starring south Indian star Prithviraj. The movie has been in the news since you have dialogues in Marathi. How difficult was it to learn the language? 
It wasn’t difficult at all. I was born and raised in Mumbai. I learnt Marathi in school for three year. Moreover, our household help used to talk to me in Marathi. Of course, it required time and effort to become fluent in the language. But this is what makes my role in ‘Aiyaa’ interesting and challenging!

Is there one fact about Rani Mukherji that her fans don’t know about? 
I bake really good cakes!

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I have killed my ego and learnt to say sorry: Ekta Kapoor

She is envied for her hard work and success but she is also given many not so flattering tags.

A tough slave driver, short tempered, mistrusting and many more. Refreshingly, Ekta admits to all of them but says she's a changed woman today.

After enjoying huge success, your company went through a really bad phase in 2008 and suffered a loss of around Rs 14 crore. What did that phase teach you?
We lost more than 14 crore. After a steady success for eight years, suddenly everything started going wrong. I was a wreck.

Channel 9, where we had many serials running, shut down, we had this fight with Star TV, we had paid advance to a company to make films and that wasn't materialising, ask me what didn't go wrong.

Only post Pavitra Rishta that things started looking up. This is when I realised that if I took calculated proposals it would be a big risk to take. My choice was making a huge film and spend two crores over promotions or make a three crore film and depend on the content.

Brand Balaji going for the brand value of Dibakar and going completely against the flavour and texture of what they have been doing itself made enough noise to launch a brand.

Also it perhaps gained you more respect as till then in spite of being called the czarina of television you were also criticised for making regressive content...
But if you ask me, I am still more proud of my achievements in television. It is so tough to cater to that many tastes. I might not understand the financial situation of a middle class home but the middle class values I can totally identify with.

In fact, there was a survey that said that women in homes got more assertive after this TV boom started. So many of my friends told me that I make regressive serials, but these were the people who wouldn't even watch TV.

They would say - 'Oh I watched one or two scenes and I didn't like what I saw'. I would call such people myopic. I still have far more respect for TV producers because there is no star power there; all that works is the content.

Those TV producers are not lunching with Salman Khan or dining with SRK. All they have is the content that could either make a serial or break it.

I on a personal level just ran out of stories to tell on television, so the only other medium available for me was films where I could explore darker, edgier stories. Stories with more layers...in truth, I am bohemian in thought and conservative in action.

When you were riding high you were a short-tempered, impatient person. Did the low phase mellow you down?
I was 17 when I started my TV career. If you have the number one show when you are 19 and at 25 the whole era on television is being dedicated to you, you are bound to grow cat's whiskers.

I made some really stupid decisions, I lost some really nice friends because I asked them to leave the company. I was short tempered because I had too much work.

I didn't know how to absorb it all. It is not the low phase but it is success, which taught me a few things.

Now when I look back I have realised that no longer do I want to be a slave to success. I was in such a hurry to be successful that I simply didn't care.

Today I know that you have to be a human being first. Tomorrow if none of my films do well, I am not going to reach the lowest rungs of depression like I used to. I know that I have many other things to be thankful for.

If I am not successful maybe the world will value me lesser, but the world's view not necessarily be my own view of myself. Today spirituality comes to me before success.

In fact, it is my strong belief in God that has cushioned my failure. I have not become a saint, but I can say sorry more easily now. I am willing to accept my fault. I have killed my ego and learnt to say sorry.

And is there a regret you can't amend?
Yes, I didn't have time for amma. She was my guardian and took care of us for 27 years. When she was dying I was too busy to be with her. I gave work my highest priority.

She took care of me for so many years and I couldn't spare a few months for her. Regret lasts longer than anything else and that is a karmic burden I will always carry.

You also had trust issues?
I still do. At one point I stopped talking to people, started closing all doors and I was very wary of people in general. Now you see the much lighter me.

I used to feel that everyone is after me for something. It is then my mum told me, if you close the very first door, how would you know when a genuine person wants to enter?

She said keep the door open, and then the second door let only few people enter and then slowly you can reach the trust lever with fewer people.

If the door is open, why is your love life still not happening?
I really don't know why. I am very pissed with myself for that. Either I am too intimidating or it is the bad placement of stars. I don't want to get involved with an actor...

Are your standards high?
No. My standards are really low. But it just doesn't happen. Even a flirty situation has not come up. I have not been remotely interested in a guy since last one year...But my trust issues come up here too. I still think somewhere you got to be careful.

I just want to protect my heart from rejection. Also I am not sure who is approaching me for what I am. I joined a gym and I couldn't work out because there were four aspiring actors working out only around me. I take a flight, pursers give me their numbers.

If I write a story, I will have the most amusing real life incidents to narrate.

How will I ever know who wants to genuinely be my friend and not use me? A friend was asking me the other day if there is anyone I trust at all, and I said yes, only my mother.

I have learnt many things now. I have learnt to delegate. I have also learnt that I won't die if I don't continue being successful. People's expectations of you can be killing.

In 2005 I thought I can't give a flop ever. But today I wouldn't care less. If I fail and if you don't want to talk to me, that's your problem. I am on this let me be happy phase. For me spirituality comes first and then success.

It can be really lonely at the top and the company you have around is not what you want. So I am not taking that risk again.

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Sweet Tooth

Entreprenuer Nidhi Bhojwani on how she made Yummy Tummy such a success

T he lovely owner of the hottest new dessert place in town, Yummy Tummy, is nothing if not passionate about her fantastic venture. With treats that are gluten, flour, egg and sugar free, there is something for everyone at this adorable place. We visit the lady herself at her cosy home and get chatting about everything that makes her tick!

How did you come up with the name Yummy Tummy? 
My daughter also loves sweets and one day she came and told me she needs something yummy in her tummy and I realised that was the best name I could think of. We always wanted a name that would cater to all age groups and that would have an element of fun.

Did you always have an entrepreneurial streak or did you develop it recently? 
I am a fashion designer by profession and worked in the industry until I got married in Dubai. My husband’s family has been in Dubai for more than 40 years, and they have been one of the leading business houses in the city. It is because my family was and is as supportive as they are that this venture became feasible.

Please tell us a bit about your childhood and college years. Where did you complete your education? 
I was born and brought up in Delhi and graduated from NIFT – The National Institute of Fashion Technology.

There are a lot of places that offer desserts and chocolates. What makes Yummy Tummy’s products different?
At Yummy Tummy we create products to suit our clients’ requirements and have a broad range of offerings, right from organic and gluten-free to low-calorie, eggless and sugar free treats!

Our treats suit all age groups and we use the best of ingredients from all over the world to create unique and delicious flavours for
Yummy Tummy.

You place a lot of emphasis on design and the ‘look’ as well. How do you go about deciding these elements?
At Yummy Tummy good taste is everything, right from the flavour and freshness of our goods to the beauty of the presentation. Yummy Tummy’s cakes are traditional, unique and fun and incorporate quirky elements to reflect each our customers’ personality and style. We understand the theme of the party or personality of the client and based on the same, make customised cakes for any type of celebration, no matter the budget.

Do you have a major sweet tooth yourself? How many chocolates and other sinful treats do you have in a day? 
I am a huge dessert person and crave something sweet after my main meals, especially. After starting Yummy Tummy, my dessert intake has increased greatly as I have to taste everything we make!

Tell us more about your personal life. Are you married? If yes, how involved is your husband in this venture?
Yes, I am married and my husband is a great source of inspiration in this new venture. He comes from a food-related background and has been helping me source ingredients from the USA and the UK, amongst other countries. It’s always nice to have someone from your family around to help and offer advice and support.

When you travel for your holidays, do you tend to check out the dessert places first? If yes, which countries or cities do you think have the best desserts?
Since I have a major sweet tooth, checking out dessert places are on the top of my priority list and ever since I opened Yummy Tummy, I have been looking at dessert places even more often.

I recently travelled to Paris and Belgium and think that these two places are perfect jaunts for us dessert lovers.

What are your hobbies and how do you make time for them in your life? 
I love swimming. During the weekend I make sure to find time to plan something that includes swimming with my family.

What do you like most about Dubai? 
Dubai is a cosmopolitan city. It is a shopper’s delight and a city that is packed with excitement. It is already a top tourist destination and continues to expand and astound with its groundbreaking architecture and other fantastic ventures. My favourite hangout in the city is 101 lounge at The One & Only Palm Jumeirah and Zuma at DIFC.

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The right note

Acclaimed tabla virtuoso Anuradha Pal on making a mark in a male-dominated field

Anuradha Pal

The upcoming Global Fusion concert to be held on January 28, 2012 at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel will be very special for connoisseurs of music for it features a very special artiste – Mumbai-based star tabla virtuoso and percussionist Anuradha Pal.

It is perhaps difficult to list all of Anuradha’s achievements at one go! A versatile and celebrated artiste, Anuradha trained under legends like the late Ustad Allah Rakha and Zakir Hussain. Today she is an internationally acclaimed tabla soloist and accompanist with top Indian classical, African, jazz and world musicians. Over the years she has participated in major festivals in the UK, USA, Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and Africa. She also holds the distinction of being the only Indian woman musician to perform at the renowned WOMAD festival in the UK. Moreover, she has performed before dignitaries like the PM and President of India and Queen Elizabeth, besides winning accolades and awards galore for her talent.

Anuradha is the founder and music director of two distinct Fusion bands, Stree Shakti and Recharge, and her mission is to reach out to as many women as possible and empower them through her music. We chatted with this amazing woman about her life and passions.

How does it feel to play live at the Global Fusion Concert in Dubai?
I am very excited and am looking forward eagerly to performing in the Global Fusion concert. It is an interesting concept and I thank Bank Sarasin-Alpen and Alpen Capital for the opportunity.

How different will this concert be from the other concerts you have performed at? 
This is a very rare event as it features some of the best women musicians from across the world, all collaborating towards creating a fusion of the music of the globe.

Please tell us more about the bands Stree Shakti and Recharge and their musical styles. 
My Stree Shakti is an all-female percussion-based vocal and instrumental combination ensemble, which combines the best of the repertoire of the Hindustani and Carnatic styles. Stree Shakti has performed at some of the most prestigious festivals around the world namely Womad festival for an audience of 1.5 lakh people, Rhythm Sticks festival, Barbican Hall and Cardiff Jazz festival to name just a few. I formed Stree Shakti in 1996 in order to bring about awareness about discrimination against women and create parity of opportunity and respect for them.
Recharge is basically a confluence of Indian and jazz music which features a combination of African, Latin and Indian percussion. Recharge was India’s only representation at the world-famous Woodstock festival in 2008 and we performed for an audience of four lakh people.

Why don’t we see many female artistes playing the tabla?
Playing the tabla is very difficult. The percussion field has traditionally always been male-dominated. Firstly, it is a physically demanding activity as it requires a lot of strength, stamina and mental agility as well as long hours of practice and years of training to be able to perform. Unfortunately, even now, women are discouraged and discriminated against and not given equal opportunity.

Was it difficult for you to make a mark in this field? 
I had to make sure that I worked so hard that no one could ignore me or prevent me from making my mark. For this, I trained very hard to give my audiences and senior musicians something more in terms of musical offerings, to look forward to at each concert. Along with presenting tabla solos, I also regularly perform with a wide spectrum of vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers from the Hindustani and Carnatic styles of Indian music as well as present concerts of both my bands. In addition, I have performed with other genres of World Music like African, Latin, Jazz, Flamenco, Electronica, Hip Hop etc and enjoy the challenge and thrill of collaborations.

Which has been your most cherished concert and why?
I have had many memorable concerts over a career of 20 years. Right from the my first concert when I was 10 to my concerts at the Masters of Indian Music festival (USA), Woodstock festival (2008), to the festival of India in Brazil, Night of Virtuosos Festival (2011), every single one has been memorable.

Who are your greatest musical influence?
My gurus, tabla legends the late Ustad Alla Rakha and of course, Ustad Zakir Hussain.

How difficult was it composing music for the film ‘Gajagamini’? How was it working with the legendry MF Husain?
It was a great honour working with Husainsaheb. He felt that I would be able to identify with the struggle of women as portrayed in his film, as I had gone through a similar struggle. The agony and ecstasies of this struggle for excellence against the backdrop of centuries of discrimination had to be conveyed through the tabla and I really enjoyed the challenge. I am grateful that Husainsaheb and his family actually felt that my music filled in the gaps in the film and accentuated its expression and meaning.

How long do you practise every day? What keeps you motivated?
Playing the tabla is a spiritual experience for me and practise is necessary for my very existence. If I am not travelling, I practise the whole day…it always seems too little!

Have you faced any injuries while performing? If yes, how did you get through with the concert? 
Yes, I have performed despite injuries as a commitment is a commitment! Fortunately, God has given me strength to go through the pain with equanimity and resolve, and my gurus and families’ blessings have helped me tide over every stressful situation.

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I am ready to host a reality show

Sabyasachi Mukherjee talks about his foray into TV and designing for Oprah Winfrey!

Sabyasachi with Oprah Winfrey at his store in Mumbai

Sabyasachi Mukherjee is on cloud nine. And why shouldn’t he considering that his new store launched recently in Mumbai and his first customer was none other than talk show queen Oprah Winfrey! Sabya dressed Oprah for the Jaipur Literary Fest as well as for her royal visit with the Maharaja of Jaipur and his wife.

The designer who will be in Dubai in the next few days for a trunk show at the Raffles Hotel spoke exclusively to Masala.com.


Who are your style icons?
Frida Kahlo and Coco Chanel

What do you foresee as the hottest and the worst trend in Indian fashion this year?
Hottest trend – definitely monotones! There was too much contrast and too many busy patterns last year. I think people are ready to go back to simple monotone styles. The worst trend was definitely gota and Swarovski or a combination of both. Bling will be too much this year. Even the Anarkali will be revamped to a simple rustic organic look.

What are projects and things you would like to work on but just don’t have the time to do?
Describe a typical day in your life.
Yoga, newspapers and a hot cup of tea in the morning and then designing at my workshop all day – provided there are no shoots, events, store launches happening!

What do you do to de-stress and unwind?
Reading, listening to music and travelling whenever I feel like it. The latter is the window for the mind. Fortunately, in my trade, it is a great investment.

Which international designers inspire you?
I really like Dries Von Norton because I don’t think of him as a commercial designer but as an ideal artiste. He creates in his own way rather than flowing with the tide which is remarkable considering the commercial pressures of the ever-changing and demanding world.

Tell us all about your new and exciting collection ‘Peeli Kothi’.
‘Peeli Kothi’ which is the heart of the Benarasi weave revival belt, brings forth the portrait of the frugal Indian family. So you have vintage brocade saris worn with high-neck Tagore blouses, ornate sherwanis thick with silver embroidery worn with gherawala angarkha for men, luxurious velvet saris for women and children in austere black khadi dresses worn with salwars and khadi dupattas. These frames of almost royal opulence and frugality highlight the inspiration from ‘pre-Partition India’ of princely states and poor people.

Which Bollywood/Hollywood celeb would you like to style?
Vanessa Paradis

What do you think about Dubai as a fashion hub?
Dubai is such a cosmopolitan city. It has a great mix of local, European, American and Asian cultures. It’s reflected in the fashion; everything from American sportswear brands to Indian high-end couture is available here. If I had to describe Dubai from a fashion perspective in one word, ‘glamourous’ comes to mind.

What do you love most about Dubai and what are your must-visit places when you are in town?
I love the food and shopping here. My favourite places are Souk al Bahar and definitely Souk Madinat. I love Marina Furniture, and all the restaurants dotted around the Souk. They have a great vibe and really authentic feel.

What is your design philosophy?
What gets reflected in my designs is my passion for textiles and colours and everything handmade. I have always believed in the power of the hand over machine. Though technology can make production bigger and faster, it cannot really touch you. That is why modernism gets outdated very fast. On the other hand, anything crafted manually might be slow and have irregularities yet it lends a characteristic to every product that makes it the ultimate state of luxury.

What style elements did you keep in mind when styling Aishwarya in ‘Guzaarish’?
When Sanjay gave me the brief for Aishwarya’s role, I was told she was a lonely women with a colourless life. I imagined that a women such as her with a dull life and a difficult role as a caregiver would fill her time by stitching and embroidering. Sometimes when women are unhappy they tend to overdress or undress to fill the void. I imagined that she would constantly try and bring colour to her life through her clothing and make up – which is what I kept in mind. I had mixed reviews for ‘Guzaarish’ but in general most people loved Ash’s look and more specifically the jewellery.

Are there any other Bollywood movies you plan to or would like to work on in the near future?
I have designed for Vidya Balan in ‘Kahani’ which will release soon.

What is it about your collection that makes it appealing to women of all generations?
I design timeless Indian clothing. My style is more tradition and less fashion, hence it is very appealing to all women.

What’s one fashion investment a woman should make this season?
Vintage gold and a hand embroidered shawl or dupatta.

What are your plans for the future?
I want to start an Indian inspired kidswear brand which can be globally aspirational. Since I hail from an art background, I am very keen to curate and commission art. I have already started the process through my Design Studio in Kolkata.

If you weren’t a fashion designer, what career path would you have chosen?
I would have been a horticulturist or a restauranteur specialising in Bengali food.

Tell us one thing that people don’t know about you.
I’m about to host my very first Indian reality TV show. We will give brides a makeover and an opportunity to wear a Sabyasachi Bridal creation.

Tell us more about your directorial debut. Where does the project stand as of now?
My plans are currently on hold for another one or two years. I feel that with my business growing and the new stores in Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi, I haven’t had a chance to focus on it. I have a script ready though! In fact I just launched my new store in Mumbai a few days ago and my first customer was Oprah Winfrey!

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Salman keeps encouraging us

Captain of 'The Mumbai Heroes' Suniel Shetty on his passion for movies, cricket and more

Suniel Shetty (right) with Anil Dhanak, CEO, Kanz Jewels in front of the world's largest ring worth US$3 million

When you meet Suniel Shetty, you feel he’s getting younger and fitter with time. At 50, he has rock hard abs and bulging arms that actors half his age would kill for. Just hours before hitting the Sharjah stadium for the big celebrity studded ‘Celebrity Cricket league’ this weekend Suniel, dressed dapper in jeans and looking through his cool aviators chatted with Masala!

The setting was the glittering and glamorous showroom of Kanz Jewels in Dubai’s Gold Souk in Deira, where apart from Suniel, the world’s largest gold ring as recorded by the Guinness Book Of World Records, ‘Najmat Taiba’ manufactured by Taiba, Saudi Arabia, caught everyone’s attention. We cornered Bollywood’s muscle man for a detailed chat.

How does it feel to pose in front of the world’s largest gold ring? 
It’s unreal. How else do I describe my feelings after seeing a ring that weighs 64 kilos and is worth over US$ 3 million? But I am simply amazed by the inventory of jewellery here in Kanz. They have collections from all over the world. I wish I had got into the jewellery business as well.

You’re captaining ‘The Mumbai Heroes,’ which is owned by Salman. Is it an immense responsibility? 
We have a very good team that practises regularly. But you know that Sharjah Cricket Stadium is the home ground for Mumbai Heroes, plus the 20-20 format demands quick play so there is a lot of pressure.

What would you say are the strengths and weaknesses of your team? 
Our biggest plus point is that we are a strong unit this year compared to the last. We have good players such as Riteish Deshmukh, Aftab Shivadasani and also other all-rounders. On the downside, we don’t get to play cricket throughout the year so the lack of practice can make us rusty sometimes.

The Indian cricket team has been performing very poorly of late. What would your advice be to the team as a fan and lover of the sport? 
I would advise them to stay away from the media. A lot pressure builds up on the players with constant news about what went wrong in their matches, who should be dropped from the squad, who deserves to be in the team and so on. What we need to realise is that cricket is a mindgame. On the field and even away from it, you need to have a positive mind so that nothing fazes you. The Aussies and the English are perhaps good examples for this. One thing that we don’t have to worry about is talent. We have a great bunch of players. It’s only that we aren’t able to come together as a unit and perform.

We’re interested to know about Salman’s role in the team apart from being the owner… 
Salman is a cricket freak although he doesn’t play it. He keeps encouraging us from time to time to give in our best for any match. He keeps telling us that although there is great pressure with 30-40,000 people watching and cheering for you, just forget the fact that you’re a good actor and that you need to live up to their expectations. Instead just think of yourself as a cricketer who is out there only to think of his game and nothing else.

Professionally, you are quite different from most actors because you have ventured into production, direction and hotel management. How do you mange to do all these things while acting in films? 
Fortunately I have a very good team that supports me in these ventures. Plus, I believe it’s very important to have passion for whatever you’re doing. I have always been business-minded. Movies happened to be by chance. I always believed in having an alternate plan apart from acting and that is probably why I wanted to spread out.

What would your advice be to budding entrepreneurs?
Believe in yourself; learn to manage time, money and also how to handle both success and failure.

What are your upcoming movies? 
Action seems to be the flavour for this year. Mithun Chakraborty’s ‘Enemy,’ is packed with action and is one of the movies that’s been completed while shooting for the other movies is still going on. There’s also ‘Chai Garam’ which is very different. It’s a romantic comedy.

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Emraan Hashmi feels award shows are a circus

The actor says he is happy even if he doesn’t win any trophies

Emraan Hashmi

The success of ‘Murder 2’ and ‘The Dirty Picture’ may have ensured that Emraan is a name to be reckoned with in B’wood but it has also left the actor with a bitter taste.
Although Emraan’s role in ‘The Dirty Picture’ won critical acclaim, it failed to get him a nomination for popular award shows. The episode has no doubt upset Emraan who has some unsavoury remarks about award shows.

The actor wished his fellow actors who were attending award shows good luck and said he was skipping them because he found it an ordeal to sit for hours without doing anything. Emraan also remarked that winning awards wasn’t a testament of anyone’s merit. The nominations, in most cases, were undeserving and therefore he had decided that he wouldn’t sit through what he called ‘a circus’. What mattered to him at the end of the day was how his movies were received by the public.

Emraan also added that his hit movies only proved that he was the people’s champion and he couldn’t care less about a jury of odd people who discuss the nominations for award shows.

After being called a serial kisser it seems that the actor is keen to have another moniker to describe his personality. Sallu and Aamir who both shun awards would be only too happy to expand their club and lend their ‘Award-hater’ moniker to Emraan.

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I Will Never Strip For Hollywood

Has Veena Malik turned a new leaf in the new year?

Veena Malik

Controversy is her middle name. And she knows how to milk it to maximum effect. In the last two years, ever since she burst into Bollywood’s consciousness through the reality show ‘Bigg Boss’, Veena Malik has done enough to ensure she has stayed in the limelight. Indeed it wouldn’t be wrong to say that if headlines don’t chase Veena, Veena chases them with a vengeance!

The year 2011 was quite eventful for the Pakistani actress, to say the least. The FHM controversy (where she alleged the men’s magazine had doctored her cover image to make her appear nude), her sudden ‘disappearance and reappearance’ from the sets of her film to being finalised for another reality show ‘Swayamvar’, everything Veena did, made news. Critics might sneer but Veena is on a roll and why not? It’s her time to make hay while the controversy sun shines! We met her during her recent visit to Dubai.

What what brings you to Dubai?
It’s a mix of both, work and pleasure; I was performing for New Year’s Eve show. Moreover, I love Dubai, there is so much shopping to do. Some of my family members are here too.

You made a lot of news in 2011…
2011 was crazy! There were so many things happening, the most exciting of which was hosting the World Cup. A lot of projects came my way and 2012 looks even more promising. Apart from three or four films, I also have ‘Swayamvar’ to look forward to.

Your bold image hasn’t gone down well in your home country, Pakistan, has it?
My fans have been very supportive. There is a small section that criticizes me just for the heck of it but I have a large support base among the youth. The true Veena Malik fan will always be with me!

What or who is a true Veena Malik fan?
You will a true Veena fan among the youth and the liberal sections of society. They love me. Meet them and you realise how loyal they are! In India, I became famous after ‘Bigg Boss’ but I was already known for my Pakistani films, modeling and TV shows. But I was surprised by the support I got from Indians. Do you know I was nominated eight times for elimination on ‘Bigg Boss’ and each time my fans voted for me to stay?


You will appear on ‘Swayamvar’, a show about finding your groom. Are you actually planning to get married?
Yes, I think it’s very exciting. It took me six months to agree to the show. I was engaged twice before and each time I had wanted to settle down with the person. So I am very serious about getting married. Of course, it depends on the man too.

Won’t your image go against you?
I am bold and honest but that doesn’t mean I am bad! I have my own set of principles and rules. I have no control over my image. Recently, I read an article which said that I claimed I’ll strip for Hollywood. I never said that! I will never strip for Hollywood. Of course, I have been offered such films and shoots, but I have always refused. No matter where I work, I have my set of dos and don’ts.

So what is your limit?
I have worn bikinis in the past and that’s what I am comfortable with. I am not comfortable with intimate scenes. Of course, it depends on the script and character. If there is anything that justifies the character, you can extend your limits.

What is the staus of your case against FHM?
I have filed a case against them, but you know how long these cases take to reach a conclusion. I should have investigated the magazine properly before the shoot. All I can say is that the picture that I shot with them had me fully covered. They morphed it and made it appear as if I was topless. 


Do you think you have finally arrived?
Well, even before Bigg Boss I was offered films. I now have three offbeat women centric films on hand. Moreover, there are two item song as well. I chose them from among the many I was bombarded with! I am sure the ‘Channo’ number will rock the charts! So yes, there are lots of things happening.

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Richer and more tolerant’ Juhi Parmar ecstatic on winning Bigg Boss Season 5

In the closely-contested grand finale of 'Bigg Boss Season 5' on Saturday night, television actress Juhi Parmar emerged the winner ahead of Siddharth Bhardwaj, Akashdeep Saigal (aka Sky), Amarr Upadhayay and Mahak Chahal -- touted as show host Salman Khan's favourite girl.

Minutes after she was declared the winner, an ecstatic Parmar said, "Very frankly, I didn't know I was a favourite until I came out of Bigg Boss. Inside the house, I was filled with doubts about my own conduct. Was I behaving decently? Was I being true to myself? How was I being perceived by the audience? When I won all my doubts evaporated. It was a feeling I can't describe."

"The show has made me more tolerant. And I've begun to love people even more. After being locked up in the house with 14 people for so many weeks, I've come out starved for human company."

Among the lifelong friends she made in the house, Juhi mentions Raageshwari, Akaashdeep Saigal, Pooja Bedi, Sunny Leone and Vida Samdzai. "In fact, all of them. Saigal is now my rakhi brother. So you see I've come out richer."

Speaking of richer, so what is she planning to do with Rs 1 crore prize money. "Honestly, I haven't thought about it yet. At the moment I can't believe I've won. But I would most certainly use it to ensure my child's future, whenever he or she is born."

Juhi was welcomed by her family when she emerged from the Bigg Boss house. "My mom, dad, husband, brother and sister-in-law were all there. I realised there's nothing in the world comparable with one's family."

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Bigg Boss 5 win beginning of my second innings on TV

Actress Juhi Parmar, who won the fifth season of controversial reality show Bigg Boss, says it
is the beginning of her second innings on television as her weight had kept her away from work.

Juhi Parmar poses with her trophy. Photo: Viral Bhayani

"It is like a second innings for me. I wanted to start working but only after reducing weight and getting into proper shape. I was away from work for a year or so. My weight was a big hindrance in my career which I gained due to medical reasons.

"But no excuses are accepted in the industry. For me the struggle was to lose weight, my target was that," Juhi told PTI in an interview after winning the show last night.

"Bigg Boss came my way so I took it up. I thought it was the right thing before I begin work," she added.

Before getting into Bigg Boss, Juhi had lost 10 kgs and after going to the show she lost four kgs.

The actress, who shot to fame on the daily soap 'Kumkum', said she had not expected to win Bigg Boss.

"The feeling is yet to sink in. Forget about winning the show, I had never expected to be there till the finale. I felt as I was not the focal point of the show I may not last longer. I never picked up fights or anything of that sort," Juhi said.

"But I was not the silent player. I used to talk, laugh, cry, voice my opinion, stand up for the truth," she said.

Juhi feels fights and controversies do not help any contestant in the long run. "If I had picked up fights then I wouldn't have won the show. I have hardly had any major brawl on the show. It takes
you ahead in the show but it does not help you win. That is not the mantra," she said.

Grabbing the winner's title, Juhi won Rs one crore prize money besides a trophy last night, leaving behind Akashdeep Saigal, Siddharth Bhardwaj and Mahek Chahal.

But the actress has not yet thought of how she would spend the money, except that she would keep it for her kids.

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Rishi Kapoor wasn't willing to turn negative for AGNEEPATH

Contrary to popular misconception, it was neither Hrithik Roshan nor Sanjay Duttwho was the most difficult to be cast in AGNEEPATH. Instead, it was Rishi Kapoor who kept Karan Johar waiting for over 100 days before consenting to do the film where he would be seen in an out and out negative role.

"Rishiji plays 'Rauf Lala' in the film and those who have seen Amitabh Bachchan's version of AGNEEPATH would remember that there was no such character in the original. When director Karan Malhotra approached Rishiji with this character, he was simply shocked. Though he has played a villain in KAL KISSNE DEKHA and BOL RADHA BOL, it still wasn't as menacing as AGNEEPATH. He flatly refused because he was unsure if he would be able to do justice to the film," says a close associate of Karan.

	view AGNEEPATH movie stills

Though he was sure about his capabilities, he wondered whether audience would be willing to accept him as a villain.

"Karan Malhotra was insistent though that he had to step into this role. However whenever he used to talk to Rishiji about this, he used to tick him off stating that his inclusion may end up harming the film, more so since audience would be fine with Hrithik and Dutt enacting Vijay Deenanath Chauhan and Kaancha Cheena but not Rishi Kapoor as Rauf Lala. It was only after the young director continued with his attempts at convincing him for months at stretch that he finally said 'yes' to playing the character," he continues. 
As expected from the veteran actor, when he took on the role, he came up with a convincing act that ended up shocking both the Karans.

Says Karan Malhotra, the director of the film, "He is every bit the Rauf Lala that I had written. He was the most difficult to be cast in the film but his performance speaks for himself. Trust me; it is going to shock a lot of people, especially those who are familiar with his extensive body of work."

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Akshaye is very upset with Farhan Akhtar

Akshaye Khanna says he is upset with filmmakers like Farhan Akhtar and Abbas Mustan for not offering him new movies even after giving them hits

Akshaye Khanna is quite candid when it comes to admitting his anger towards certain filmmakers in the industry. He is miffed with the directors who didn't further offer him films, despite him giving them hits for their previous project together.

Ask him about Farhan Akhtar and Abbas-Mustan, who're making films without him in the cast and Khanna reiterates, "Of course, I'm angry with all of them." However, when probed about the reason, the actor smiles and simply says, "That's something you should ask Farhan and others, instead of me."

He, however, is quick to admit his fondness for the men in white. "Abbas-Mustan are my favourite directors because I've done more films with them. If you ask me whether I'm doing a cameo in Race 2, the answer is no.

But yes, I do terribly miss being involved in the Race sequel. When any filmmaker I've worked with, doesn't cast me again, I do get angry, " he reiterates.

Character calling

Nonetheless, Akshaye is looking forward to Rumi Jafry's Gali Gali Chor Hai, in which he is cast as Bharat, a bank cashier who also plays Hanuman in the local Ram Leela.

Recalling his fascination with the "slice of life story of the simple guy caught in the system" he says, "What appealed to me was the beautiful and entertaining way this story is narrated.

The poor fellow loses everything for no fault of his, but it's told in such a funny manner as the system sweeps him off like a tidal wave and he can't put up any defence against it is a superb achievement of the writing."

Interestingly, Khanna modelled Bharat's shocked and surprised look on noted cartoonist RK Laxman's Common Man.

"When I heard the script, I told producer Nitin Manmohan and Rumi that the expression on my face throughout the film should be similar to Laxman's popular character.

He's always peeping from behind, shocked at what is happening around him. Because Bharat is as shocked by what the system does to him, as he's too small to fight against it, " explains the actor.

At a time when younger actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan are talking about their filmmaking aspirations, Khanna confesses that he doesn't have any.

"I'm not interested in directing or producing movies, " he asserts, adding, "Acting is enough to satisfy my creative urges. I'm more than happy sticking to it than venturing behind the camera."

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Salman Khan loves his 'Chikni Chameli'

Katrina Kaif is garnering a lot of praise for gyrating to item number "Chikni Chameli" in Karan Johar's forthcoming film "Agneepath", but the actress says the "lavni" style dancing was not a cakewalk for her.

"The response to 'Chikni Chameli' has been fun so far. It was hard work. It was very fast and it was not a style I was used to, but I took it as a challenge...

I think we all went for it as a team and did the best we could. I am happy people are liking it," the 27-year-old actress said here while launching new range of Panasonic airconditioners.

Even actor Salman Khan is smitten by the song and Katrina is happy about this.

"He has not told that to me but I think that's a great thing. He has a great taste in music and songs. So, if he likes it then it's great," said Katrina who featured in two more item numbers in "Shiela ki jawani" and "Bodyguard".

New Year is round the corner and Katrina is pleased with the way 2011 shaped up for her.

"2011 has been a really great year for me. All the goals I had in hand, I think everything turned out really well.

I am very grateful for that...The best I could have wanted to come out of every project has come true this year," said Katrina who had two releases this year - "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" and "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan".

Industry members are also smitten with the song. They feel it will definitely be a USP of Karan Johar's remake of his father's classic "Agneepath", and overshadow "Munni", "Sheila", "Shalu" and "Jalebi bai" item numbers.

Composed by national award-winning duo Ajay-Atul, the spicy song, sung by Shreya Ghoshal, is the Hindi version of their own Marathi hit "Kombadi palali".

The lyrics of the number, penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, are as cheesy as they could get, but the rhythm is extremely peppy and catchy. And Katrina's vigourous moves and sensual expressions, choreographed by Ganesh Acharya, go in total sync.

The 26-year-old had set a benchmark with "Sheila ki jawaani" last year, but with this song, she has surpassed it with her killer desi look.

"Agneepath" director Karan Malhotra is all smiles and believes Katrina has done full justice to the song.

"I think the way the song was made, it was so wonderful, that only a topmost actress could have done justice to the song.

And as far as Katrina is concerned, her USP is that she has never been seen in any film in that kind of zone that 'Chikni chameli' is in...which is why she also stands out in that atmosphere and that is why the song is catching a lot of eyeballs, " Malhotra said at the music premiere of "Agneepath".

As much as he avoids talking in media about Katrina, even Salman Khan, her former beau, couldn't stop raving about the song.

"I love the song! I saw it a few days back and I am completely smitten by it. A lot of hard work has gone behind it and it is visible on the screen. Hats off to Katrina. She has come a long way, " Salman said at a recent event in Mumbai.

A 30-second promo of the song was first launched, followed by an over two minutes-long video on YouTube. The video has registered over 3 million hits so far, and producer Karan Johar is ecstatic.

"The nation is singing and dancing to 'Chikni chameli', so I am really excited about it. It is already an established big hit song, " Johar said.

According to Atul Gogavale, "Katrina spent eight days in rehearsal before starting to shoot the song. It took nine days to finish the shoot, and her energy levels never saw a dip."

"This song has a very high tempo and requires speed in steps. Even if I or someone else wants to dance to it, you cannot match up to the tempo for more than two minutes. But Katrina just took it to another level. She has left us speechless, " he said.

Celebrities from the film fraternity feel Katrina has raised the bar of item numbers with her energetic dance steps.

Writer Milap Zaveri tweeted: "Katrina's dance steps in 'Chikni Chameli' are too brilliant and energetic! But there should be a disclaimer saying 'Don't try this at home!'"

"'Chikni chameli' from 'Agneepath' is just outstanding. I have never seen an actress dance like Katrina does - she raises the bar to another level, " tweeted Ritesh Deshmukh, who recommended Ajay-Atul as composers for the film.

Even choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant, who has choreographed item numbers like "Kajra re" says she is in awe of Katrina's effort.

"Katrina is looking very good in 'Chikni Chameli' and I told Karan (Johar) about it. I really loved it and whenever Katrina comes and does a song like this, you know what the effect is, " she said.

The action-drama slated for a Jan 26, 2012 release, features Hrithik Roshan as Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, originally played by megastar Amitabh Bachchan in Chandan Barot's directorial venture of the same name.

Priyanka Chopra, Sanjay Dutt and Rishi Kapoor will also be seen in key roles in the movie.

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Pooja Missra alleges favouritism: Mahek uses Salman Khan

Controversial 'Bigg Boss' contestant Pooja Missra has alleged favouritism on the show for evicted model-actress Mahek Chahal, who is likely to make a wild card entry into the house again.

Missra, who was evicted from the show due to her violent behaviour, claimed to have been wrongly projected on the show.

She later entered the show as the Hindi translator for Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who made an exit this week. But talks of Mahek's wild card entry seem to have agitated Missra.

"My eviction from the house on the grounds of me being violent was wrong and my second entry in Bigg Boss just proved that. Moreover, the wild card entry of Mahek into the house again is proof enough that there is favouritism happening in the house, " Pooja told reporters here. Mahek was evicted from the show on December 11.

Also, there were allegations by Pooja Bedi that Mahek was favoured by the show's host, Salman Khan as she has worked with him in 'Wanted' and 'Main Aurr Mrs Khanna'. Pooja also feels that the footage where Mahek is seen excessively talking about Salman has been edited. However, Mahek, termed the allegations as baseless.

"It's all a lie, never have I spoken about Salman in the house. So what if I have done two films with him. All these are cooked up stories, to create controversy. I was nominated six times and it was due to audience votes that I could stay for a long time in the house, " Mahek told.

About her wild-card entry, she said, "The entry will be purely on basis of audience votes. Now, I seriously, wish to come on the show and clear out things."

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I am most close to Jacqueline and Asin: Sonam

In an industry where people play the numbers game, actress Sonam Kapoor believes in being friendly. 

"Almost all of my directors are my friends. Be it Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra or Punit Malhotra, they all are dear friends. Even all my male co-stars are my friends, " Sonam said at a recent event.

As for her female friends in B-Town, she said: "I am most close to Jacqueline (Fernandes) and Asin (Thottumkal). In fact, these two are doing a movie ('Housefull 2') together and I am so jealous of them!"

The actress, who is looking forward to her film "Players", is set to don the garb of Santa, and play peacemaker between two friends on UTV Stars' new show "Superstar Santa".

"My episode has two girls whose friendship is broken due to misunderstanding. My job is to bring them together and try to understand what went wrong, " said Sonam, who insists she tries her best to be there for her own friends despite being busy.

"I have a huge bunch of friends and I am always there for them whenever needed, " she added.

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I'm a very desi girl at heart: Mahie Gill

Simple living, high thinking is Punjabi kudi Mahie Gill's motto. If she's not acting, you're bound to find the actress living a simple life.

Says Mahie, "I'm a very desi girl at heart. I love gorging on fish, crabs, dal and sabzis.

Whenever, I get some time, I love to cook for myself. It's kind of therapeutic.

Even my dressing is very simple. On most days, you'll find me wearing jeans, t-shirt and chappals.

However, I like dressing up on occasions like a function or a film awards.

Then, you'll spot me in saris paired with chunky earrings." All we have to say Mahie is that we like your attitude.

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