Monday, 7 April 2014

Vivek Oberoi's ‘grand’ comeback DC | Lipika Varma | 21st Oct 2013

Vivek Oberoi's ‘grand’ comeback

With 'Grand Masti’s success, Vivek Oberoi is back with a bang. The actor, who plays the villain in the upcoming 'Krrish 3', talks about his successes and failures and what lies ahead.
Talking about 'Grand Masti', he says, “I consider director Inder Kumar to be the pioneer of such films. We had not even dared to dream about this huge box office success. ”
Talking about the importance of critical reviews, he says, “I do not consider critics to be foolish. But I have always noticed that box office success and critics’ reviews are always in opposition to each other."
About his role in 'Krrish 3' he says, “I play a super villain. Fifteen minutes prior to the shoot. I would go to my make up room and just concentrate looking at the mirror. Until I could see hatred in my eyes, I would not feel as though I had got into the character.”
There have been quite a few episodes in Vivek’s life that can be termed as “unpleasant”. The actor, however, says that he has mellowed down a lot since becoming a father. “I have improved thanks to such a nice wife and family. I tend to forgive and forget so many things.”
Vivek reveals that his real-life hero, however, is his mother. “I have watched her work for the needy and she has done a lot for cancer patients. I have seen her develop relationships with unknown people. I just try to follow her footsteps.”
Not many know that Vivek was born in Hyderabad. “My mom and I shifted to Mumbai to support dad in his acting career. But, Hyderabad is my first home. I have lots of memories connected to the city.”

The ‘falls’ in fashion Binita Ramchandani / Lipika Varma | April 04, 2014, 10.04 am IST

The ‘falls’ in fashion

Chitrangada Singh

When a celebrity walks the ramp for a designer, he or she is the focus of attention. However, like everyone else, they are not infallible, and have their share of “oops” moments too.
Kangana Ranaut almost tripped on her gown while walking the ramp for designer Namrata Joshipura during the grand finale of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week recently, but handled it with grace.
Sonakshi Sinha, who had also fallen on the ramp thanks to a long gown, says, “So what if Kangana tripped… I have tripped so many times. I do nothing; I just manage... hold on to my dress and move ahead. The show must go on.”
Sharing her experience, actress Chitrangada Singh says, “I was once walking the ramp wearing a gown with a long trail and almost tripped while taking a turn. I tried to handle the situation not once but twice and finally I picked up the gown and walked again… I made the moment light by laughing out loud.”
Amrita Rao recalls another goof up and reveals a trick, “I remember I was wearing a beautiful lehenga for Vikram Phadnis. It was longer than me, I tripped a little but I camouflaged it by posing for shutterbugs.”
Prachi Desai, who has never had an “oops” moment, says, “If ever something like this happens, I would laugh out and ease the situation… Except if it was a malfunction… that would be embarrassing and undoubtedly a nightmare. You won’t believe, every time I am about to walk the ramp, a night before I pray that I don’t trip or have a malfunction. ”
Chitrangada adds, “Walking the ramp is a different ball game; it’s not something that we do for a living. In fact I am more nervous walking the ramp than facing the camera. I have a checklist of three things before I walk the ramp — the size of the heel, the kind of floor and the length of the outfit.”

Sunday, 6 April 2014

sonakshi loves to be a free bird/dc/7.4.2014/lipika varma

Sonakshi loves to be a free bird DC | Lipika Varma | April 07, 2014, 00.04 am IST

Sonakshi loves to be a free bird

Sonakshi Sinha

Sonakshi Sinha has recently lent her voice for Rio 2. She will be the voice for the bird Jewel in the movie. We spoke to her about, the movie and a lot of other things. Read on

Rio 2, a new experience
“Initially, I did feel a little weird but gradually, I enjoyed the process of recording for the film. At one point of time I felt I was a real birdie. At times I had to squeak like a bird! I also sang a rhyme simply because Imran Khan who dubs for Blu had already agreed to sing. I had no choice. I had to sing!”

Loves to be a free bird
Like Jewel, the birdie, Sonakshi also enjoys her freedom, “I love to be carefree like birds and also wish I had wings to fly. I always enjoy myself thoroughly while on a holiday. Though, with my busy schedule I do not get much time. Whenever, I get some time I wish to fly away to European countries. As there I can roam about freely and be stress free. Holidaying makes me feel as carefree as a bird. Recently I went to Goa on a three day holiday.

Not a spendthrift
I am not a shopaholic. I do not like spending thoughtlessly. I always like to spend my money wisely. It’s not that I need to save. But I am careful with my money. I work very hard for my money. We have been taught to value our money right from childhood. I would get Rs100 a day as pocket money while in school. I would always spend wisely and save some money from my weekly Rs700 bounty.

First salary
My first salary was Rs 3,000 earned at the Lakme Fashion Week. I gave that money to mum.

Qualities imbibed from mum and dad
I have imbibed my mum’s grace, charm and her warm personality. She has taught me to be nice to everyone. And be humble and grounded.
The qualities that I have imbibed from dad is his talent, his confidence and the attitude of doing that which makes us happy. My dad often wonders whether to take it as a compliment or otherwise when everyone tells him, “Aap Ki Beti apni maa ki tareh sundar hai.” He promptly replies, “But she is as talented as I am!”

‘mum’s third son’
My mum always says that I am her third son. “You are not like a girl!” she’d say because I was very tomboyish.My teachers would send me back home because before entering the classroom I would play football or volleyball and get my clothes dirty. I would be so filthy by the time I reached home that mum would say I wasn’t being ‘girl like’.”

Friday, 4 April 2014

Home » India I belong to Mathura, I’m a gopi, says Hema Malini by lipika varma

I belong to Mathura, I’m a gopi, says Hema Malini by lipika varma

Apr 04, 2014 |

The original Dreamgirl, Hema Malini, who has been in politics for a decade, is ready to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Mathura this year — she has been a Rajya Sabha member till now. She talks to this newspaper about her political journey, films and her family.

n The Modi wave
Talking about her political journey, Hema says, “It was a pleasant experience being a Rajya Sabha member. And I am now looking forward to the Lok Sabha experience. My daughters, Esha and Aahana, have grown up, so I have fewer responsibilities as a parent. And Dharamji (superstar Dharmendra) too has always been there to encourage and advise me.
“There’s a Modi wave going on right now and the present political scenario in India is very interesting. I feel this is the time when we have to do a lot of things to bring change. People are fed up with all the nonsense that’s going on. People seem to like Modi’s ways and I think I can participate in bringing about changes for the people of this country.”

n The road ahead
“I have to file the nomination first. Then I will go and campaign in Mathura. As a star I have campaigned for other candidates, but this time it will be different. I used to campaign in five to six cities in a state.”
If elected, the star-turned-politician has clear plans for her constituency. “I will try my utmost to bring in various changes for the betterment of the Brijwasis. Yes, for this I will need the support of the people. I have a mind of my own so whatever I am instructed to do (by the party), I will sort out the good and the bad from that. There are many who like to pull your leg and without the support of the people and the members, it will not be possible for me to bring in changes,” she says.

n On choosing Mathura as her battleground
“Krishna has selected me as his Radha and expects me to bring happiness to the people and do something for them. I have been visiting this place a lot. I have always been connected to Mathura.
“In fact, for the past 10-15 years I have been a regular visitor here and people keep insisting that I have a house in Mathura. They refused to believe me when I would tell them that I have no house here. And later I started to feel that I was actually connected to this place. And thereafter whenever anyone would ask if I had a house in Mathura I would nod.
“Some people say that I do not belong to Mathura, I am an outsider. I am not an outsider, being a Krishna-bhakt, I belong to Mathura. I am also a Gopi!”
Talking about the changes she would like to bring about, Hema says, “Over the course of time, the beauty of this city has deteriorated drastically. The population is okay, but we need to maintain cleanliness of this pious place. My first step will be making it a clean and fresh city. I have to bring in a change in the whole system over there.
“Most MPs from here have never bothered about cleanliness. I will have to make new footpaths as there is hardly any space to walk. As a Rajya Sabha member, I was keen on giving some funds from my end. I wanted to donate `2 crores but no one was ready to connect me to the right people to whom I could give these funds. Also, the Yamuna River has to be cleaned. There are no proper toilets for ladies, which I will rectify. Children will be encouraged to be educated and proper mid-day meals will be given in schools; this will encourage parents to send their wards to schools.”

n Dharmendra’s political career
Talking about her husband Dharmendra’s somewhat bland political career, Hema says, “He has not been unsuccessful in politics. In fact, he has brought about few great changes in his constituency. He left politics because he was heartbroken — he could not stand unnecessary criticism. People are star-struck, they expected him to live there, which was not possible. He had other things to do. Dharamji did his work sincerely, what more do you want?

n On her film career
Hema Malini is certain that she does not want to quit the film industry yet. “I have no plans of quitting. If some good role comes my way I shall accept the offer. Dancing is my passion and I shall continue dancing too,” she says.

n On a parting note
“I am busy preparing Krishna Belle, which we will be performing soon. Being born in a Vaishnav family, I have always been close to Lord Krishna and I feel it’s a dream of a gopi to contest from Krishna-Nagri. It is like a dream come true for me.”

Fatherhood time for Imran DC | Lipika Varma | April 05, 2014, 00.04 am IST

Fatherhood time for Imran

Imran Khan Photo

Imran Khan, who is about to become a father soon, is on seventh heaven. In a candid chat with DC, he says, “The experiences that I am facing as a husband are not weird as Avantika is very cool. Guess how strange it would be if she asked me to get her ‘achaar’ in the night? I would have had to do it. Also, sometimes she has severe back pains at night and I massage her.”
Imran feels that he will discover fatherhood only once the child is born. “Everyone asks ‘are you ready?’ How can one be? Only once you have a child, then you figure out. However, I want a girl while Avantika wants a boy,” says Imran with a smile
He also shared an incident, “While I was in New York recently, Avantika called me up and demanded fist-sized cookies which she saw on some channel. I sent my security personnel to get those cookies from the bakery. The cookies did not fit into the bag, so I had to leave my favourite boots behind to keep Avantika happy.”

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Thursday, 3 April 2014

I belong to mathura,Im a gopi/Hema/Lipika Varma/dc 4.4.2014

‘I belong to Mathura, I am a gopi’ lipika varma DC | April 03, 2014, 18.04 pm IST

‘I belong to Mathura, I am a gopi’

Bollywood's Dream Girl, Hema Malini will be contesting from Mathura as a BJP candidate.

Mumbai: The original Dreamgirl, Hema Malini, who has been in politics for a decade, is ready to contest Lok Sabha elections from Mathura this year (she has been a Rajya Sabha member). She talks to DC about her political journey, films and her family.

The Modi wave

Talking about her political journey, Hema says, “It was a pleasant experience being a Rajya Sabha member. And I am now looking forward to the Lok Sabha experience. My daughters, Esha and Aahana have grown up, so I have fewer responsibilities as a parent. And Dharam Ji (superstar Dharmendra) too has always been there to encourage and advise me.

“There’s a Modi wave going on right now and the present political scenario in India is very interesting. I feel this is the time when we have to do a lot of things to bring change. People are fed up with all the nonsense that’s going on… People seem to like Modi’s ways and I think I can participate in bringing about changes for the people of this country.”

The road ahead

“I have to file the nomination first. Then I will go and campaign in Mathura. As a star I have campaigned for other candidates but this time it will be different. I used to campaign in five to six cities in a state.”

If elected, the star-turned-politician has clear-cut plans for her constituency. “I will try my utmost to bring in various changes for the betterment of the Brijwasis. Yes, for this I will need the support of the people. I have a mind of mine own so whatever I am instructed to do (by the party), I will sort out the good and the bad from that. There are many who like to pull your leg and without the support of the people and the members, it will not be possible for me to bring in changes,” she says.

On choosing Mathura as her battleground

“Krishna has selected me as his Radha and expects me to bring happiness to the people and do something for them. I have been visiting this place a lot. I have always been connected to Mathura. In fact for the past 10-15 years I have been a regular visitor here and people keep telling me that I have a house in Mathura. They refused to believe me when I would tell them that I have no house here. And later I started to feel that I was actually connected to this place. And thereafter whenever anyone would ask if I had a house in Mathura I would nod.

“Some people say that I do not belong to Mathura, I am an outsider. I am not an outsider, being a Krishn-bhakt I belong to Mathura, I am also a Gopi!”

Talking about the changes she would like to bring about, Hema says, “Over the course of time, the beauty of this city has deteriorated drastically. The population is okay, but we need to maintain cleanliness of this pious place. My first step will be making it a clean and fresh city. I have to bring in a change in the whole system over there.

“Most MPs from here have never bothered about cleanliness. I will have to make new footpaths as there is hardly any space to walk. As a Rajya Sabha member I was keen on giving some funds from my end. I wanted to donate Rs 2 crore but no one was ready to connect me to the right people to whom I could give these funds.” “Also, the Yamuna River has to be cleaned. There are no proper toilets for ladies, which I will rectify. Children will be encouraged to be educated and proper mid-day meals will be given in schools; this will encourage parents to send their wards to schools.”

Dharmendra's political career

Talking about her husband Dharmendra’s somewhat bland political career, Hema says, “He has not been unsuccessful in politics. In fact he has brought about few great changes in his constituency. He left politics because he was heartbroken…he could not stand unnecessary criticism. People are star struck…they expected him to live there, which was not possible. He had other things to do. Dharam Ji did his work sincerely, what more do you want?

On her cine career

Hema Malini is certain that she does not want to quit the industry yet. “I have no plans of quitting. If some good role comes my way I shall accept the offer. Dancing is my passion and I shall continue dancing too,” she says.

On a parting note, she says, “I am busy preparing “Krishna Belle” which we will be performing soon. Being born in a Vaishnav family I have always been close to Lord Krishna and I feel it’s a dream of a gopi to contest from Krishna-Nagri. It is like a dream come true for me.”

Oh My God

Monday, 7 April 2014