There’s nobody like Our desi girl

The gorgeous actress who felt out of place in her initial days in Bollywood has now firmly entrenched in the industry having her own entity as the most promising star in Indian film industry. A tête-à-tête with Former Miss World Priyanka Chopra who is riding high with the success of her recent films…

Realising that you had four back to back flops last year (Chamku, Love Story 2050, God Tussi Great Ho! And Drona) we could say that the last quarter of 2008 has been quite lucky for you with smash hits like Fashion and Dostana. Congratulations!

Thanks a ton! After God Tussi Great Ho and Drona, I was truly heartbroken. Fashion and Dostana seem to have given me rebirth of sorts. These films were much more successful than my expectations.

We hear that you had a tough time losing weight for Dostana after having to put on a few extra kilos for Fashion.

You could say that. I am not at all diet conscious. I had to put on some weight for Fashion since I was playing a small-town Punjabi girl who eventually becomes a super model, but for Dostana, I had to lose the seven kilos that I had put on. And I had to get in shape as well. Moreover I had a hard core diet, I had a proper workout schedule.

You were seen flaunting a range of clothes from designer wear, while sashaying down the ramp, to t-shirts and jeans while portraying a model’s normal life in the movie Fashion.

To cut the long story short, I would say that I wore 137 costumes in Fashion. It was required as my character goes through a huge journey in one-and-a-half years. And we had a lot of montages in the film, a lot of ad commercials and of course fashion shows. This is why the requirement of costumes was so high for my character.

Which films of yours can we look forward to this year? And which film are you most excited about?

This year I am going to have only two releases. One is Vishal Bharadwaj’s Kameenay opposite Shahid Kapur and the other one is Ashutosh Gowariker’s What's your Rashi opposite Harman Baweja. Both of them I am very excited about because my roles in both of them are extremely interesting and very different to something I have ever done before. I really can't take a pick for there's only two.

Is it true that you are playing 12 different characters in What's your Rashi?

That’s true. It's one of the most difficult films I have worked in. What is so difficult about it, why is it difficult, I can only speak when the film is closer to release.

Let's move on to Kameenay.

I play a Maharashtrian college-going girl. The role is very different for me for sure because I don’t know Marathi at all and I did not learn it. The language is beautiful. It’s so rustic but it’s very difficult for a Punjabi to get the Marathi accent right for sure. But I worked on it and I am hoping it will come out right.

You wore skimpy outfits in Fashion and bared your cleavage in Dostana. How do you take skin show in Bollywood as?

See, where there’s a demand, there’s a supply. Had films with skin show not been doing well, we would have stopped making them. People want to watch such films.

Kameeney too is said to have many intimate scenes.

I can’t really reveal all the details to you, but yeah, I have done a little bit more than usual in this film. I do have a kissing scene and a few love making scenes with Shahid. Because this is what the script demanded, I agreed to do it.

You are termed as a workaholic in film fraternity. How true is that?

Very true indeed! As a matter of fact, with six movies having released in 2008, I haven't had the time to either mourn or enjoy the fruits when a film released. I did not get the time to mourn the failure of any of my films. The moment one got released, I was into promoting the next, so on and so forth. If I am not filming, I would be found reading scripts or selecting outfits for my next movie.

Ambitious, are you?

I would rather describe myself as someone who’s honest and straightforward, but not indiscriminately ambitious. The day I realise that I don’t want to get up and put on make-up for a shoot, I will give it all up!

Given your busy schedule, how could you manage to do a song alongwith Kareena and Deepika for Shah Rukh’s upcoming movie, Billu Barber?

Undeniably, I am Shah Rukh’s biggest fan on earth. I don’t see myself saying no to him for anything. He simply has to tell what I am supposed to do, and I would be on. In fact, people ask me why I wasn't there in the song featuring all the heroines with Shah Rukh in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

In this short career span you have portrayed a wide range of characters.

I strive hard each day to grow as an actor. I have always been experimenting on my roles. I just hope that when people look back in the history of Indian cinema, they admire my work and versatility as an actress. Besides, all other genres, I have also been part of the special effects cinema like Krissh, Drona and Love Story 2050.

So, no time for love in 2009 as well?

(Laughs) Well, I have always believed that true love will find you and so will the right man. I just make sure that I do not close my mind to possibilities and do not work on the 'he-must-be-like-this' list. Being a die-hard romantic, I believe that when love happens, there will be church bells that will go off in my head. I believe that when I meet the person that I am meant to be with, his face will be constantly in front of my eyes. I believe I will hear violins and orchestra. I really believe all that. And I don’t look for it. I am a big believer in destiny. So when it’s meant for me, it will happen.

You have never been very candid about your relationships.

I am a celebrity, so I guess it’s justified that people are curious about what goes on in my personal life. But I don’t need to give any justification about what’s happening in my life to anyone. You could say that I know where to draw the line. I would hate the world to know about who I am seeing or where I eat or sleep. That’s nobody’s business for sure.

How do you define your success journey so far?

Euphoric! I feel that my strategy of not resting on the laurels of my being a former Miss World has paid rich dividends. Today whatever I am is because of my hard work. I may have got my first couple of films because of my title, but it’s ultimately your work that will speak for you. I could have easily been chucked into the dustbin if I was bad. I am so grateful that it did not happen to me and that I was welcomed so lovingly by the film industry.

Kat’s Charisma

Getting the best of offers and having her name listed in the top actresses of the day, things are just looking bright and right for Katrina Kaif. A tête-à-tête with the British-origin actress on her latest release De Dana Dan and more…  

She stepped into tinselville with Boom. But Katrina Kaif soon hung her boots as far as her hot, sexy image was concerned and stayed hooked on a simpleton, girl-next-door image for her movies. In an industry and era when experimenting with one’s roles is the norm and versatility is the benchmark through which an actor graduates from being just an actor to a successful performer, Katrina is one actress who stayed away from experimentation for long. And now, having played the role of musician Anushka in Yuvraaj with such finesse, Katrina has proved her mettle in versatile acting.

Excerpts from the interview —

Five years into Bollywood, how do you rate yourself as an actor now?

I am proud that I could prove wrong all those people who wrote me off for my British accent during my initial days in the industry. Today, I can boast of giving six hits in a row. And with the success of Yuvraaj, my happiness only multiplies. Many people tried to prevent me from making it till here. They did not do so in an aggressive or excessive manner, but they used to say things like ‘I don’t know...’ and ‘I’m not sure...’ that would suggest a not-so-positive approach towards me. But I proved myself ultimately as an actor, more so as a thorough professional. I always try and push myself to exceed expectations. I use this ideology in a positive way.

Would you call it destiny?

God has of course been very kind to me. The special thing about life is that you never know what can happen and there is no limitation to it. Someone can tell you that you can never be this and never be that. But it is not true. Anyone can be what he wants to be and destiny plays a major part in it. I believe that everyone should try and live their dreams, follow them and they might just come true someday.

Your Hindi accent certainly seems to have improved.

Besides honing my acting skills, I worked really hard on my accent. Interacting with various people on and off the sets and doing some eight Hindi movies, dealing with Hindi scripts, practicing dialogue delivery... I think that in itself has taught me and helped me improve my accent.

Your looks, dressing style and even your demeanor and deportment have remained unchanged throughout your movies. You are one actress who has proved that versatility or no versatility, its just good work that matters. However, with De Dana Dan you seem to want to break open from the girl-next-door image.

I have thoroughly enjoyed playing all my roles so far. However, now it was time I progressed from playing the sweet simple girl in comedy films. Or else audiences would have started to believe that being a prop in comedy films is all I could do. I do want to retain the image of the girl-next-door. I don’t want the hot image. Even in sexy lady in the movie Race, I am fully clothed. But, after having spent almost five years in the profession, it’s only natural for me to evolve as an actor, trying different roles and proving to my audiences and critics that it’s not just my face that sells.

Go on…

If you see Akshay Kumar, he was an action hero and then he went to comedy and found out his real calling. It took him to new heights of superstardom. I think it is important to take risks and figure out what really suits you. Every actor has a strength, like Aamir does romance and Akshay does comedy, but I don't know my strength yet. If I get a contrast role in one film like where one get-up has me play a simple, shy and homely girl, the other has me as a brass and loud girl, I would definitely do that.

Who is your favourite co-star?

I enjoy working with Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan. Akshay is a very helpful, co-operative and professional actor. Salman is a very dedicated actor who understands the nitty-gritty of filmmaking really well. It is a great learning experience working with such established actors.

Is your brilliant chemistry with Salman in Yuvraaj an offshoot of the off screen chemistry between you two?

In my opinion, your on screen chemistry with an actor is not related to whether or not you know the person. I think it is the script, which allows you to have chemistry or, conversely, not have chemistry. If you have a scene, which is very well written and there is something electrifying about it, people will surely enjoy it. However, if the script is dull, then even if you are the best of friends off screen, it will not come across on screen.

On a personal note, what do you have to say for Salman?

He likes to act tough but it is so easy to win him over. Anyone who wants to get close to him only has to act defenseless, play the underdog and say, 'I have no friends and no one loves me.' Salman will adopt that person.

After so many hits, you have been tagged as a lucky mascot for producers, by trade pundits.

‘Lucky mascot’ does not make any sense to me. It is such an illogical statement. A successful film is a combination of a good director, good music, intelligent script, good timing, destiny, everybody’s efforts and audience’s reaction. There isn’t a reason or an explanation that you can tag a person as lucky.

What’s your take on off-beat cinema?
I like to watch non-commercial movies sometimes. However, I am pretty clear about what I want to do. I don’t want to go down the road doing serious cinema. I am happy doing commercial films. Fun films, I believe, give the audience time to escape the monotony in everyday life.

What’s your health mantra?

Exercise, eat well. You have got to be careful about what you eat because Indian food tends to be way too oily. Try to eat more healthy food - more vegetables, more fish. I like Japanese food because it is very healthy and delicious. I like that kind of taste – less spicy and oily. Besides, get up early, don’t oversleep, go to the gym, and go to work on time. And most importantly, always be happy.

Splashing Out On Beauty

By Shilpi Shukla Alexander

Ever wondered how all Bollywood actresses manage to look hotter and more appealing with every successive movie? We’re sure you do. The mantra for these Hot Divas of Bollywood is that a perfect look can be gotten, if you haven’t got it!

From head to toe our Bollywood actresses are kept under microscope and probably that is what makes them crave for that ‘ideal body’ with ‘just right features’!

In earlier days, actresses shied away from talking about their ‘artificial enhancements’ but today it has become a fad more than anything else!

Let’s have a dekko at the much-in-vogue trend…

Shilpa Shetty:

By now everyone knows that Shilpa has had her nose job done. We must say, this leggy beauty looks far better today! But the actress believes that it was a horrible job that went wrong. “I wish I hadn’t gone for a nose job. Little did I know about the consequences then,” says the Big Brother winner. Well ma’am, we beg to differ. Check yourself in Baazigar and now.. 

Don’t you look much better and much more desirable now? Ask your fans for clearing doubts, if any. What’s more, off late, she has also undergone liposuction too.

Bipasha Basu:

The latest in the lot, Bipasha too went for silicone implants when she decided to enter Bollywood after bidding good-bye to the modelling world. A voluptuous Bipasha in Jism surprised all. However, the actress owed her sex appeal to her ‘excess weight’! This Bengali dusky beauty has had silicon implants as well as liposuction done on her belly and thighs. Watched Bips in that sexy beach wear in Dhoom II? When the actress was sued by a cosmetologist for not paying him his money for the surgery she had undergone, most people were not surprised!

What most people did not know was that Bips who was operated at Lilavati Hospital suddenly developed back pain post the surgery. Apparently her back could not bear the burden of the excessive silicon implants. Well, they must have weighed a bomb, Bips.

Kareena Kapoor:

Bebo’s size-zero figure makes many go berserk. She looks dazzling and her weight loss is responsible for it no doubt. However, grapevine has it that Kareena has to gone under the knife to get her chiselled jaw line!

Another lesser known fact of this sexy actress is that she has also had cellulite removed from her buttocks. The famous backside had to be cut into shape to give the perfect ‘backside’ view. Besides, she also had her teeth aligned.

Sushmita Sen:

This sari-clad Ms Gorgeous of Main Hoon Na was probably the first actor to admit that she had gone for silicon implants to enhance her breasts. This former Miss Universe in her trademark feisty style defended her move by saying that she was proud of what she had done since it wasn’t a crime to enhance one’s beauty! “I have a right to look the way I want to. Enhancing one’s beauty is no felony for sure,” says the sultry actress, “And I don’t need to hide this fact either.”

Preity Zinta:

Preity’s changed look has taken her fans and admirers by surprise! The chubby and chunky, cute girl of Kya Kehna and Dil Se looked extremely transformed  in Kabhie Alvida Na Kehnaa with her high eyebrows, puffy eyes and extra pouty lips! The actress looked gorgeous no doubt but her undergoing liposuction and face-lift news spread like wild fire! When asked about the same Preity replied, “To each his own! I don’t see anything wrong with people who go for cosmetology to look better.”
Not many are aware that this highly structured face work done left marks on her face gripping her to put on intense make-up in KANK.

The laughter lines were surgically removed post the shooting of Salaam Namaste. The bubbly actress had to stay away from all promotion as her face could not be exposed to harsh lights. So, if you recall, only Saif gave interviews for the promotional campaign.

Koena Mitra:

A minor corrective surgery, meant to sharpen an already pert nose that won Koena Mitra the Supermodel contest, went horribly wrong! The stunning actor who looked good before the surgery looked terrible post it! This is what the actress has to say post surgery — “Plastic surgery is the worst kept secret of any film industry – Bollywood, Hollywood, you name it. But it’s a huge gamble. Parents go to doctors with their 16-year-olds and say, “She wants to become a model or an actress, but she has some baby fat, can we do this surgery to make her look perfect?” Yes, it’s been successfully before. But it’s also scary, ask me!”

Sherlyn Chopra:

Starlet Sherlyn Chopra has openly confessed that she has gone for a butt surgery to enhance her butt! May be Jennifer Lopez was an inspiration!
Post the surgery, the sexy wannabe is posing in all photographs with her ass on your face look rather than showing us her face. She has reasons to do so…

Esha Deol:

Hema Malini’s daughter Esha unfortunately wasn’t as blessed with beauty as her mom. Instead, she got the masculine appeal like that of her father Dharmendra. She had no other option but to get her square jawline and slumped lips rectified. In recent times, she also had her upper lip improved as she felt her thin lips skint her looks. This was done when she enrolled for a dance course in the US where she got her lips corrected by a cosmetologist. Of late, she has really started looking quite hot and… so feminine. Watch Cash and Darling. 

Rakhi Sawant:

Now this actress really wanted her assets to talk for themselves. Since she did not have them, she danced at various doctor conventions and ensured that she got her silicon implants. After jiggling at various item songs, Rakhi probably got tired of them.

The candid item girl (who’s now dreaming to enter th world of acting as a lead heroine soon) confessed on national television that she has undergone breast augmentation, botox to remove frown lines and collagen infections to improve her looks. Ranting about her new looks, she said, “Jo bhagwan nahin deta hai, wo doctor deta hai (doctor gives what God doesn’t give). Last we heard her saying, all things come in small sizes and she has had the implants removed.

Sridevi:

Sridevi (in her earlier days) apparently wasn’t happy with her nose and went under the knife to get it in shape. The superstar never admitted her move but her change in appearance made it inevitable for her fans to know the truth. Watch her childhood movies and then her later movies like Sadma and you could well notice the difference. We know that as we grow, a de-shaped nose, doesn’t turn pert. In her case, just within 3-4 years!!

Juhi Chawla:

She had a face that won her the Miss India crown, but Juhi was not happy with her button nose. The actress went under the scalpel and till date says that it was her worst nightmare. The nose, according to her, looks like a corkscrew now. “I should not have played with my natural looks. I wish I hadn’t,” she sighs. Well, the result of the surgery was not that bad either, Juhi. Check out Koena, if you must.

BOLD & Beautiful

No need to wait for a Hrithik Roshan or Akshay Kumar starrer movie if you want to enjoy some breathtaking stunts and action. Evidently, Bollywood actresses don’t want to just dance around trees or sing in the rain any longer. With an aim to add some substance to their role, our sexy sirens now intend to do some action-oriented roles. Glamorous action if we may call it…

We caught Bipasha performing some awesome stunts in Race and Dhoom II and Aishwarya Rai swinging the sword in the historical epic Jodhaa-Akbar, not to forget her action-oriented role in Dhoom II. Koena is playing a superwoman in Karna.

“It’s only after doing it that I realised how exciting doing action is,” Aishwarya Rai Bachchan says. Besides Jodhaa Akbar in which she wielded the sword, the charming beauty also did several stunts for the Hollywood film, The Last Legion. “Now that I have got a good taste of it, I just can’t wait to do action stunts again and again. It is truly thrilling to do sword fights or for that matter jumping off from a cliff.”

We had a dialogue with some actresses who have recently taken up action-oriented roles:

• Priyanka Chopra for Drona

Ex-Miss World Priyanka Chopra now seems to be pining for a new title — Bollywood’s Action Diva. She harks back to the comic book heroine of yore in Goldie Behl’s Drona, a la Uma Thurman in Kill Bill. Priyanka learnt a special strain of the martial arts for her role in the action drama. “I had learnt some kung fu for Don. But this is different. It is a full-on action movie for me, with kicks and somersaults galore. I quite enjoyed the cuts and bruises. I did,” says Priyanka beaming bright.

She adds, “Before the shooting I took training for Gatka, which is a focused form of fighting from Punjab. A trainer was called from Ludhiana for the film to assist me during the shooting of Drona. It was a phenomenal experience learning this special art.”

Priyanka agrees that her Drona-look and body language are unlike anything she has done before. Grapevine has it that she decided to do all the action sequence on her own despite doctor’s warning. While performing the stunts, she even ended up hurting her leg again. “If we can pull off dramas, comedies - then why can’t we do action films?” she justifies, when asked why drove her into action movies.

• Neha Dhupia for Singh is Kinng

Neha Dhupia has been commended for her stunts by critics in this mega-hit. As per the actress, performing the stunts never frightened or upset her. “It’s no big deal, really,” she says, “People thought they were breathtaking stunts but I just took a deep breath and did them. I had to be on a yacht, sailing and beating up bad boys, and then I had to step out of a limousine and shoot them down. All this was easy, except that I had to do it wearing a gown!”

All we would say is, well done!

• Deepika Padukone for Chandni Chowk to China

Famous badminton player’s daughter Deepika Padukone might not be a sportsperson herself but she does have that spirit. Quite new to tinseltown, the actress wants to prove her mettle in all genres, including action.

“For Chandni Chowk to China, I have learned jujitsu – it’s a form of martial arts which is very famous in China. During the shoot I had started learning it and special trainers had come from China to teach this form of martial arts.”

Quite impressed with her co-actor in the film, Ajay Devgan says, “Heroines are as strong as heroes. Deepika is all set to give a heady rush of adrenaline to audiences with action scenes in Nikhil Advani’s Chandni Chowk To China opposite Akshay Kumar.” Deepika asserts that the trend of more heroines taking up action roles itself shows that with the evolution of the Hindi film industry, women are getting to do more in films than just dance around trees.

You have a point, lady.

• Jiah Khan for Ghajini

Ghajini’s shooting getting stalled right now doesn’t stop this young performer from grinning. Jiah Khan is quite ecstatic about the stunts she has done so far for the film. She purportedly has as threatening stunts in the movie as Aamir. Ask her about the movie and prompt comes the reply, “I am really sorry. I am not allowed to talk about the film. But yes, you will find me doing a lot of action in Ghajini. What else do you think I had to lose my weight for?” She adds, “For the first time I have done stunts and it was great fun. From day one I started practice. It has been really exciting and working in this film is definitely the most special phase of my life so far.”

Action In Vogue

Many Bollywood heroines seem to have been inspired to take up action. Even a newcomer like Shruti Hasan is doing action sequences in the film Luck starring Imran Khan and Sanjay Dutt.

As per cute Ayesha Takia, she has already worked in most genres and now wants to prove herself as an action star. “Action movies are all set to make a comeback. And I would be more than happy to be a part of it,” says she. Probably, she wants to dodge out of her cutie pie image.

Commenting on the trend, Amrita Rao said, “I would love to do an action flick. In fact I find myself fortunate that I entered the film industry during a phase when actresses are doing so much and have longer terms.”

But some commentators feel that Bollywood actresses are being forced to experiment with the action genre as films are still written keeping the hero in mind. In fact, even films like Chak De India and Bheja Fry did not have a leading lady.

“We are in an era when the role of the conventional Hindi leading lady is fast getting marginalised,” says Bollywood historian Derek Bose. He adds, “Today, it is either a comedy or an action flick that can assure you a box-office draw. If an actress has to find employment she has to choose between the two.”

Fearless Nadia

Hunterwali, Pahadi Kanya, Miss Frontier Mail, Lutaru Lalna, Punjab Mail, Diamond Queen, Bombaiwali, Jungle Princess and Hunterwali ki Beti used to run houseful. In the 1930s and 40s, Bollywood heroines did not have important roles in action films. Thanks to Mary Evans, the supposed first stunt-woman of Hindi cinema — who was popularly known as the Fearless Nadia. Mary’s odd roles and stunts made her quite popular with the audiences.

Riding a horse with a whip in hand, fencing with villains atop running trains, swinging from chandeliers and doing stunts without resorting to stuntmen — Mary Evans gave a new look to Indian cinema, hurling the myth of the docile heroine into air.

She undoubtedly had gets out of the ordinary and did believe in what she did. As she once said, “I walk my own road. And I can never get lost on my path. Acting is beyond dancing around the trees and singing to the moon, fully-clad in a sari.”

A theatre artiste and an actress who had worked in foreign films, Nadia entered the Hindi film industry in 1933 by debuting in Wadia Movietone’s Lal-e-Yaman. Two years later, she donned tight pants, high boots, a revealing shirt and a whip in her hand to become synonymous with the title of her movie Hunterwali.

Whatever be the reason, the good thing is that Bollywood has now finally started thinking out of the box. Indian heroine will no more be a coy and faint-hearted doe-eyed beauty (that we were quite bored of seeing), but a bold and beautiful charmer who is now a rescuer and no more the rescued.

Shilpi Shukla   

Lost In Oblivion

A dream debut does not guarantee success. Bollywood has many newbies trying their luck ever year while some get lost among reels of the films, others shine through. But no one can point out what makes a newcomer click with the audience. Each year, we are introduced to many wannabe heroines who come to tinsel town with high hopes and beautiful dreams. Not all are successful in making a mark and become a name to reckon with in the industry. At times, even those who get noticed fade out of the limelight soon after for they are unable to charm audiences again and sustain the competition and challenges that this industry offers.

We profile for you some of those aspiring movie stars who blazed across the Bollywood firmament with a runaway debut hit only to experience darkness at high noon thereafter.

Mandakini

Remembered for – Ram Teri Ganga Maili

One cannot miss out on the woman in a white sari sans the bra from the hit movie Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Mandakini…. One never saw her again in any big banners after working with the RK Banner, except for a few B-grade movies. She will still be remembered for her dare bare act under the waterfall.

Vijeta Pandit

Remembered for – Love Story

Most of us couldn’t remember her after Vijeta sang the song ‘yaad aa rahi hai’ in the mega blockbuster Love Story. Rajendra Kumar cast her alongside with his son Kumar Gaurav. Though the film was a hit, it couldn’t secure the future of the stars. Vijeta had another hit four years later in the form of Mohabbat. But after this, she was never seen onscreen as the main lead. She final got into playback singing.

Bhagyashree

Remembered for – Maine Pyar Kiya

She became a star overnight. This sweet, innocent and beautiful actor was the dream girl of every guy. Even today, when one sees Maine Pyar Kiya, the film that went on to become the highest grosser after Sholay, one craves for having such a soft-spoken and loving partner for life. Bhagyashree bagged the Best Actress award for the MPK thereby outshining co-star Salman Khan’s performance that was quite unnoticed. However, destiny had other plans for Bhagyashree.

She was flooded with offers but the lady who tied the knot with Himalaya soon after the release of Maine Pyar Kiya refused to star against anyone else but hubby Himalaya. This proved fatal for her career that could otherwise have been quite enterprising. The two movies, Qaid Mein Hai Bulbul and Paayal, in which she was paired opposite her husband, were super-flops. This marked the end of her film career.

Zeba Bakhtiyar

Remembered for - Henna

Zeba Bakhtiyar stole the heart of millions with her Bollywood debut in Henna under Raj Kapoor banner. Henna was a huge hit on both sides of the border about two decades ago. Zeba should have made it really big in tinselville but to the great surprise of one and all, she is just recalled as a one-film Bollywood wonder from Pakistan now.

Anu Agarwal

Remembered for - Aashiqui

The promos of Mahesh Bhatt’s ’s Aashiqui claimed — this face can stop a crowd — when he launched dusky damsel Anu Agarwal in the 90s. However, little did he know that Anu will soon relegate to the archives after a series of forgettable films thereafter. Aashiqui did well and the music was a massive hit. However, luck did not favour the long legged beauty who was once compared to dusky sexy siren Smita Patil.

Pooja Batra

Remembered for - Virasat

Virasat got this Former Miss India (1993) the Best Supporting Actress Award in 1997 but not the kind of success one could have expected thereafter. After trying her luck in the film industry with movies like Haseena Maan Jayegi, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya and Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaye, she packed her bags to settle down with her orthopaedic doctor husband in California.

Sandhali Sinha

Remembered for – Tum Bin

A cute and fresh face, Sandhali Sinha made her debut against Rakesh Bapat and Priyanshu Chatterjee in Tum Bin, probably her only film in the lead. The music of the flick went on to make record sales and the film was a runaway hit too but did not help the careers of any of the leading actors in anyway.
Though the central character of the movie was Sandhali and her work was appreciated, she never starred in any other movie after that in the lead role.

Mayuri Kango

Remembered for – Papa Kehte Hain

This light-eyed beauty looked fresh as a daisy amidst her other counterparts. The innocent looking Mayuri Kango made her debut in Papa Kehte Hain against child actor Jugal Hansraj. But Mayuri's acting skills and dialogue delivery was a complete turn off and her Bollywood career never really took off.

Chitrangada Singh

Remembered for – Hazaaraon Khwaishen Aisi

Chitrangada Singh ,who debuted in Sudhir Mishra's Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi was never able to firmly place her feet in tinsel town. The movie was critically acclaimed and did help the careers of most people associated with the movie, but could not help this young and pretty actress anyway.

Shamita Shetty, Kim Sharma, Preeti Jhangiani

Remembered for – Mohabbatein

Mohabbatein was a big hit. So much so that it was considered to be a dream debut for actresses Shamita Shetty, Kim Sharma, Preeti Jhangiani and actors like Uday Chopra and Jimmy Shergil. However, none of them could actually hit the top bracket of Bollywood. Preeti knew that her career as goody-two-shoes was short-lived unless she joined the bare dare brigade. So, like her co-stars Kim and Shamita, Preeti also joined the brigade of bare-it-all. However, nothing could help the career of these starlets from sinking.

Gracy Singh

Remembered for – Lagaan

Gracy Singh was the object of envy for many actresses when she was chosen to play the lead opposite Aamir Khan in Lagaan. Her performance was liked by the audience as well as the critics. Not just that, she found a bigger hit with Munnabhai MBBS. But the actress was stuck with a behenji image and could never break away from it. A few flops like Aarman, Wajahh: A Reason to Kill, Shart and Muskaan ensured that Gracy was forgotten by all.

Gayatri Joshi

Remembered for – Swades – We, the people

“Well, we just have to wait and watch for that. Your guess is as good as mine,” Said Gayatri Joshi soon after the release of her one and only film, Swades, We The People when asked whether she might just be a one-time wonder and be in danger of slipping into the oblivion once the euphoria of Swades was over. After gainig name and repute in the world of modeling for seven years, Gayatri entered Bollywood with high hopes. Getting introduced in Bollywood by filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar and being cast opposite Shah Rukh in the very first film is a dream start for any debutante actor. But her luck was as unfavourable as was Gracy Singh’s.

Bhoomika Chawla

Remembered for – Tere Naam

Bhoomika too had similar fate. With a huge hit like Tere Naam under her belt people felt Bhoomika would be perfect as the girl-next-door. But the actress couldn’t repeat her success and despite working opposite actors like Salman Khan and Abhishek Bachchan she couldn’t make it big!

Shilpi Shukla

Rocking On - Farhan Akhtar

He's acted and he's sung, he's directed, produced and written films and now… he is also anchoring a TV show. Here are some excerpts from the tête-à-tête with the man of stupendous skills, the handsome guy girls drool over… Farhan Akhtar.

After impressing one and all with your acting skills, are you itching to get back into directing titled Voice from the Sky?

Yes. I will be directing very soon. Right now, I don’t know whether that will be my earlier postponed directorial venture Voice From The Sky or not, but direction is on my agenda.

Voice from the Sky has been pending for quite sometime.

In fact, I wanted to make this film immediately after Dil Chahta Hai. It’s an English film that has tremendous international appeal. There’s an audience for this film beyond India. It’s a period film set in 1905 in Kolkata. It’s about a child and the telephone invention. It’s a fairytale. Let’s see when and how things shape up.

You have recently been roped in by Sudhir Mishra to play lead role in his film in which you would paired opposite Kareena Kapoor. How does it feel?

Oh! I'm looking forward to working with Kareena. She has been a friend for many years. This script gives both of us a chance to try something we have not done before. We are in the process of finalising the deal

Tell us about the film.

Hmm.. This film dwells upon the political dynamics of a man-woman relationship. Kareena has a role to die for. It is a hugely fascinating part. When Sudhir Mishra narrated the script I liked it immediately.

We also hear that you have plans to cut a music album.
Precisely yes. But for that I need to take out a chunk of time and devote my full attention to it. Singing is not just a hobby. It never was. I need to pursue it seriously. And not only because of Rock On!. I have been into it even as a teen. I can’t just have someone else composing the songs while I go in the studio and record. I have further oplans that I don’t intend to reveal as of now (smiles).

How did the television chat show, Oye! It’s Friday happen?
Well, it just so happened that I was approached to host the show and I was quite fascinated by its concept. Last year has been the year of experimentation and new experiences for me... acting, singing, hosting... I have had a good time doing all of it. All the people involved in the show are there for the right reason, to have fun. I always knew it would be fun because I would be hanging out with my friends from the industry.

A ray of hope & health …

Discover the wonderful healing effects of sunrays...

During the worst of times how often have you flitted from one doctor to another and one counsellor to another looking for a panacea for all your physical ills and emotional qualms? There are times when nothing works. But don’t lose heart, there’s a natural cure. Just soak in the sun, invoke its rays and heal yourself…

Management consultant Abhinav Asija had rheumatoid arthritis and spondylitis. Though doctors said it was all due to stress, such answers never satisfied him. “Then I found a remedy in Surya Namaskar which is actually energy healing,” says Abhinav. “Even my doctors were stunned by my quick recovery. Today, I am all fit and fine. I make it a point to do this ‘medical ritual’ every morning,” he added elatedly.

The sun’s rays have been known to have magical healing qualities. As per senior physician DK Gupta says, “Sunlight is the principal curative agent in nature’s laboratory. Where light cannot enter, disease does. Chlorosis, anaemia, leukaemia, emaciation, muscular debility, degeneration of heart and liver, softening of bones, nervous excitability, physical deformity, stunted growth and consumption are the result of excluding oneself from the beneficial effects of sunlight.”

Each ray has different vibrations, colours and qualities, which if used properly could do wonders to the body and mind. Event manager Priyanka Sood swears by the amazing effects of following a simple practice of offering water to the sun. “Sometimes we follow rituals without realising the real meaning of it. I have been offering water to the sun for two years now and there have been tremendous changes in me. My work capacity has gone up and I no longer feel stressed,” she says.  

Let’s get to know the miraculous benefits of each of these seven rays:

Ruby Ray (Deep Pink):
Grace. Ruby ray represents the concentrated action of peace. Spiritual nourishment also comes under this ray; it is the ray of devotion, worship and faith in God. Priests, healers and peacemakers come under this ray. When regularly meditated upon this ray, ruby red brings peace and tranquillity in one’s life. This ray strengthens the bones, heals muscular pains, arthritis, spondylitis, and frozen shoulders. Ruby is the gem of this ray.  

Violet Ray:
Violet ray is beneficial in the treatment of nervous and emotional disturbances, arthritis, acute cases of consumption and insomnia. This ray has the power of deep cleansing and is also called the ray of forgiveness. It is extremely beneficial to use this ray to heal all body pains and release karmic issues.

Yellow Gold Ray:
Associated with illumination, love, wisdom, spiritual aspiration, joy and happiness, yellow gold ray is laxative and diuretic. This ray activates the unused parts of the brain and brings better results. Helpful in increasing memory and concentration power, it is a stimulant to the brain, the liver and the spleen. Yellow ray is also effective in the treatment of diabetes, indigestion, kidney and liver disorders, constipation, eye and throat infections and impotence.

Green Ray:
Made up of the blue and yellow, green is regarded as a ray of harmony. It is a mild sedative. It is useful in the treatment of nervous conditions, hay fever, ulcers, influenza, malaria, colds, asthma, heart problems, sexual disorders, tuberculosis and cancer. It preserves and strengthens eyesight. Being highly medicinal and depressive, it is of great help in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. This ray is useful for children who are under pressure to learn science and mathematics. Green ray bestows mercy in each human’s heart. It boosts the morale and helps people suffering from a low self esteem.  

Blue:
Protection, power, strength, courage, faith, will power and initiative. The main activity of this ray is to eliminate negative substances from the environment. This ray restores faith in all that we do and helps overcome indecisiveness even in the most difficult situation. Cool, soothing and sedative, blue alleviates pain, reducing bleeding and heals burns. Blue is beneficial in the treatment of dysentery, colic, asthma, thyroid, respiratory disorders, high blood pressure and skin aberrations. In a study at the New England State Hospital in the United States, 25 members of staff with normal blood pressure were bathed in blue light for half an hour. It resulted in universal fall in blood pressure. The blood pressure rose when red light was applied.

Pink Ray:
Love, adoration, compassion, healing and forgiveness. The divine quality of this ray is charity and it prevents discord. Pink ray is extremely useful to heal and remove any situation of anger, bitterness and hatred. Constant use of the pink ray can soften even the most hardened hearts. It creates love in one’s personal life. The pink rays are used to heal lack of love, heart related problems, blood pressure palpitations and depression.

White Ray:
Purity, clarity, humility and sacrifice. The quality of this ray is hope. The white ray heals all hard and negative substances, ideas and beliefs. This ray takes the responsibility of removing the negative vibes created by negative sources like black magic, curse etc. This ray is used to heal severe headaches, migraine, irritability and skin diseases.

How to use the rays?

All you need is faith. According to your needs, call the ray and feel it enveloping your being or situation. Wait for five minutes and allow the body to absorb the specific ray to the point of fullness. This can be done indoors too. All it requires is for you to imagine that you are absorbing the rays. You can allow these rays to penetrate your body while going for a morning walk, during your routine surya puja or while watering your plants. You don’t have to see the rays. The healing will take place automatically through your mind that allows accepting it. For example, for a headache one can invoke the violet colour like this: “I ask for the violet ray to heal my headache.” Or, “I invoke the blue ray to heal my throat pain.”

It’s all in the mind

A part of colour healing, invoking sunrays is a leading technique in alternative (holistic) healing that is primarily based on the patient’s personal desire, intent and follow-through in the therapeutic process. Therefore, to benefit from this age-old, scientific technique, one first needs to discover the power of mind and visualisation. How often have you thought about your favorite dessert and started salivating? You may not have known it, but you were practicing visualisation. This technique of mind over body can actually be used to help treat a range of medical conditions, from warts to cancer. The degree of benefit depends on your level of concentration. To explain it biologically - When we visualise something very innately in a relaxed state of mind, many chemicals, essentially hormones like endorphins and serotonin, are produced in our body. These hormones in turn activate the body’s own intrinsic capacity to heal. Our body responds with a physical and physiological response just based on a couple of seconds of imagining something. So, discover the power within you and see how your mind works wonders in curing various diseases and keeping you fit by invoking sunrays.

Explore the magical benefits of sunrays and try healing yourself through nature’s curative power.

Shilpi Shukla

A journey called ‘marriage’

A JOURNEY CALLED 'MARRIAGE'

By Shilpi Shukla Alexander

Before venturing into a journey of a thousand miles, try taking a few steps together…

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step (- Lao Tzu). We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend. This is much beyond being just a saying or a philosophy. The true essence of this aphorism is best understood by couples who have traveled together and acknowledged how further they could travel in each other’s company.

This is how the life-journey of Ritika Verma and Rohit Kaushik kick started. Rohit and Ritika decided to go on a 10-day trip from Bharatpur to Kanha via Ranthambore, Shivpuri, Khajuraho and Bandhavgarh. What had started as a study tour for these research sudents of wildlife conservation, eventually transformed into a beautiful journey of love and fondness.

“These 10 days gave us time to know and understand each other. By the end of the trip, I knew that he was the man for me,” recalls Ritika. For Rohit, it was a dream come true. “Oh! In my dreams, I often found myself walking hand in hand with my beau in a dense forest,” says Rohit, “I fell for Ritika’s compassionate and thoughtful nature. She made my dream come true.”    

So, for all those for whom travelling till now has just meant sight-seeing, this is a new perspective. Spending quiet and serene time with your beloved really goes a long way in deciding whether he/she’s the right choice for you. For not all marriages are made in heaven. Consider this…

Software professional Sandhya Sinha and businessman Karan Karnik had been seeing each other for over five years now. It was time that they got married. While their families were fixing the marriage date, the exultant couple decided to flee to a romantic destination. These seven days changed their very opinion about their five-year-long courtship. On being approached, Sandhya’s mother finally revealed, “Though, I don’t know much details, it was their opposite habits and lifestyles that made them apprehensive about their relationship.” Giving one example, she says, “Sandhya is very particular about cleanliness. Karan’s unhygienic and grimy habits annoyed her. Karan in turn was really incensed by her nagging behaviour.”

Spending a few days or weeks alone with your chum helps you know him/her better. Besides, your own aspirations become comprehensible to you in that state of solitude and quiet.

Travel writer Priti Saraswat explains, “Breaking away from your daily monotonous routine and staying away from all your friends and foes, gives you ample time for knowing your true self. It is easier to find answers to most of your unanswered questions during those moments of peace and serenity.” She adds, “When a duo sits with that unruffled mind, it really helps in pondering over every minor and major issue related to their relationship with a lucid and broader perspective.”

In the words of Miriam Beard — Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.  

Even professional trips go a long way in making one understand his colleagues better. Actress Amrita Arora says, “There were actors whom I didn’t like earlier. But during my outdoor shootings with them, I got to know their actual selves. Today, many of them are my close friends and well wishers.”

Grapevine has it that Kajol and Ajay Devgan started dating each other when they spent quality time with each other during their outdoor shoots for Pyar To Hona Hi Tha, Ishq and Hulchul.

Should we sum it up as saying that if you can enjoy a short travel trip with your pal, you can surely enjoy the long life-trip with him or her? Perhaps yes. At least this is what the experience of advertising personnel Vinit Gangwar attests. “Me and my ex-girlfriend had gone to Digha (a popular sea resort in West Bengal) to enjoy the sea and each other’s companionship. It was during our outing that we understood how absolutely different we were. She was scared of bathing in the sea; even sun bathing. She did not even enjoy barbeque; leave alone enjoying water sports! After our humdrum trip to Ladakh next time, I knew that she was too dull and mind-numbing for an adventurous and exploratory person like me.”

Even going on a tour with a group of friends can be bliss in disguise at times. People often find a virtuous reason to their lives during these tours. Theatre artist Pratigya Suri planned a trip to Puri with her friends. After coming to Orissa, she learnt about the tribal communities of the state. Even after much insistence, none of her friends agreed to visit these tribal areas, but Rishi. After their month long trip to the adivasi areas of Chatikona Kondh, Taptapani, Rayagada and Jeypore, Pratigya and Rishi knew two things. First, that these tribal people needed their assistance for development and growth. Second… that they had found their soul-mates in each other. For the last five years Rishi and Pratigya (Now Mrs Rishi Gupta) are working for the upheaval of tribal clans. They conduct theatre shows to promote education and awareness among these deprived and unprivileged communities.

Possibly now we understand what the words of Martin Buber meant when he said — “All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”

Marriage is not so trivial a decision to be taken in alacrity. Spend quiet, beautiful and illuminating moments with your would-be; away from the clatter and clamour of your customary life, so as to be able to hear what your heart actually says, to understand what your life wants.

AEROBICS: Your Way To Fun & Fitness

By Shilpi Shukla Alexander

Is 30 minutes a day of aerobic exercise the magic bullet you’ve been looking for? With benefits ranging from heart disease prevention to stress reduction, it’s one of the best things you can do for your health…

If you have a hard time exercising, but wish to have a beautiful body, that you can flaunt, then the perfect idea to keep yourself in shape is to have an aerobic workout…

Read further to explore the various benefits of this enjoyable exercise…

Aerobic dance and beyond…

For those of you who thought aerobics was all about dancing, here’s a check… Aerobic exercise is a moderate intensity workout that extends over a certain period of time and uses oxygen in the process. So there are not one but many kinds of aerobic exercises… Here they go…: There are different types of aerobics like fitness walking, jogging, swimming, kickboxing, fitness walking, skiing, inline skating, bicycling, ‘aerobic dancing’ and more.

In line skating or rollerblading is one of the most popular sports that are luring millions of people into trying it. It helps to strengthen lower back and works a great deal in enhancing cardiovascular development. Kickboxing is extremely useful for quick weight loss, as it helps in burning about 350-450 calories during a 50-minute workout session. At the initial level, kickboxing consists of some basic stretches and cardio warm up. But as one proceeds to advanced levels, punches, hand strikes and kicks are incorporated.
If you are among the types, who always tend to escape from exercising, then the right aerobic type for you is fitness walking. You can start off your walking program from a 10-minute stroll and then gradually increase your level. In later stages, when you have built up your stamina for a higher intensity workout, then you can go in for jogging. For the summer season, swimming acts as an excellent way to overcome the scorching heat.

Shake your body… stay fit: Dance aerobics is the most famous form of aerobics. The craze for this dance_cum_exercise is such that it has become quite synonymous with dancing itself. Aerobic dance steps are actually a blend of distinctive dance forms like jazz, disco and ballet. It’s best for those who love to dance. So why not use hobby to keep one fit and healthy.

Aerobic versus Anaerobic Exercises

Most of us are unaware as to what is the actual difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Well, it is interesting to look into the difference…

“Aerobic exercise is an energetic form of physical activity that fastens your heartbeat to about 65 per cent of the maximum rate. This exercise is performed for a period of time extending up to say at least 20 minutes. Well, the functioning of aerobics begins with the burning of stored sugars and gradually it attacks on the fats that are stored in the body,” explains Shelly D’Souza, a fitness expert.
She adds, “On the contrary, anaerobic exercise takes place in quick span of time and includes activities like sprinting, weight lifting etc. Basically, activities that rely on brief or discontinuous bursts of energy are called anaerobic (without oxygen). They help in strengthening muscles and joints.”
If you are just a beginner, you should better get started with aerobic exercises rather than anaerobic exercises, so as to ensure an overall fitness.

Attire to un-tire

A perfect attire to carry out your aerobic session, enables you prolong your endurance for the exercise, without feeling tired or drained. Firstly, it should be loose fit, so that there is adequate provision for free flow of air and unrestrained body movement.

It is preferable to wear light color clothing in summer season, as it absorbs heat and also it gives a cool feeling to beat the scorching heat. “Whether its summer time or the time of chilly winds, it is advisable to wear some sort of hat or cap over the head, so that you can cope up better with the climatic conditions. You should avoid wearing plastic or rubberised clothing, because such clothes are likely to cause a rise in your body temperature, which can be hazardous,” says aerobics trainer Suzanne Alex.
Prefer attiring several light layers of clothing, rather than going in for one heavy cloth layer. The clothing layer touching your skin should be moisture absorbent. T-shirts or sweatshirts teamed with tights or drawstring pants serve as the perfect clothing for aerobic workout.

Shoes: Aerobic performance encompasses of quick lateral movements with lots of jumping and leaping for a particular period, so it becomes all the more necessary to take proper care of your feet.

Don’t mix up running shoes with aerobic shoes, because they are not one and the same thing. Shoes should be such that, they provide a soft cushioning effect to your feet. They should have a strong supportive sole, so that the risk of injury due to slippage is minimized. There should be adequate provision for airflow on the toe side, so as to let the toes breathe. Always shop for shoes during afternoon, when your feet size is largest. Wear the shoes and roam about for a while to ensure it’s fit and comfortable

The many benefits of aerobics…

The ensuing demand for a continuous supply of oxygen creates the aerobic training effect, physiological changes that enhance the ability of the lungs, heart, and blood vessels to transport oxygen throughout the body.

Especially, aerobic exercises reduce our chances of developing many common illness and diseases.

Here’s a quick listing of the various merits of regular aerobics ---

• The heart enlarges and increases its blood stroke volume; more efficient cardiovascular system
• Resting heart rate slows, less than 60 beats per minute indicates good physical fitness
• Oxygen is used more efficiently resulting in increased fat burning during exercise
• More available energy due to greater amounts of ATP and PC for immediate power needs
• Increased endurance and lower blood pressure
• Reduced risks in developing diabetes and other diseases
• Increase in good cholesterol, decrease in bad cholesterol
• A positive body composition change, more muscle less fat
• Better chance of maintaining healthy weight later in life
• A great stress buster; help in coping with all other emotional and psychological stress

Most of the aerobic benefits begin to kick in within four weeks of starting an exercise program. Within three months of consistent training under a professional trainer, there should be a well-developed level of physical fitness with the more dramatic benefits taking place. The changes in the cell’s energy system can start to speed up the reduction in total body fat levels. The training effects of exercise do however start to reduce after about 48 hour so it’s important to be consistent and make your chosen activity fun!

So let’s make staying healthy our New Year resolution! Enjoy the experience of performing this wonderful workout and lead a healthy lifestyle. And don’t forget to share your experience with us… Healthy Living!