Bruce SchwackExecutive Director

NOTCH Media Pvt Ltd5th floor Express Chambers Express Avenue No 2 Club House Road Mount Road Chennai 600 014

Tel +91 44 3025414142 Fax +91 44 30254158 wwwnotchmagcom

COPYRIGHT copy NOTCH MEDIA PVT LTD 2012 The published written and visual contents of this magazine are protected by copyright laws you may not reproduce our articles content images videos

and audio online or in print in any format without first obtaining written permission Please contact the publisher to obtain his or her written consent Reproduction in whole or part without obtaining publisher permission and notifying the magazine is strictly prohibited

Hema SethuramanDirector amp Publisher

Pradeep DadhaChairman NOTCH Media Pvt Ltd

PRADEEP DADHA GROUP OF COMPANIES

TEAM CREDITSEDITORIAL DESIGN

MARKETING

BOARD OF ADVISORSAdvait PanditAnand Pathak

Yagna BalajiEditor

Asmita AggarwalBureau Chief - Delhi

Tushar A AminEntertainment Editor

Arpita ChatterjeeSpl Correspondent - Mumbai

Bijoy BharathanAssistant Editor

Rohit PanikkerSenior Sub-Editor

Anupriya DContent Manager

Majid RehmanCreative Director

Matha-Ul-Ameen Karishma Menon

Rityka Venessa EdwinM Saravanan Kalyani

Graphic Design

Gayathri K Sornavel Animation

JegannathanSIllustration

Ravi KrishnanYathin Reddy

Manoj KumarOnline Marketing Manager

Daya KingstonOnline Editor

Every edition is a revelation Through the words and actions of the cross-section of achievers featured in NOTCH our

world-view broadens every day And while itrsquos become quite fashionable to discuss and deride male chauvinism this edition has opened our eyes to the quiet way in which a few extraordinary men show their respect for the fairer sex

Abhishek Bachchan has always acknowledged the role of the strong women in his life ndash mom Jaya wife Ash and sister Shweta But minutes before he gave NOTCH the interview on being a dad he charmed the audience at Ritu Berirsquos charity show with a rare display of concern A little girl who was walking the ramp burst into tears when her shoelace got untied The child was in obvious distress as she didnrsquot know how to continue when AB Jr played white knight and unmindful of the crowds got on stage bent down and fixed her shoe

Lord Jeffrey Archer didnrsquot just speak about the emancipation of women ndash he made it a point to take to task every waiter who served him before his lady companion every doorman who held the door open for him and not the ladies in his group The author displayed such

warmth and respect for women itrsquos no wonder his female following grows by leaps and bounds every year

Ashton Kutcher too was moved by the power of the Indian women when shooting in the country While exploring the by-lanes of old Delhi on foot he tweeted ldquoMet some powerful girls today in Delhi at Apne Aap A grassroots movement to end sex traffickingrdquo and shared a picture of himself with the young girls there The Hollywood superstarrsquos gesture of support went a long way in aiding the cause that had received little or no support till then

Dr Ashok Chopra is another example of a father who never allowed his daughter to limit herself His dreams gave her flight and in her own words he is lsquothe wind beneath her wingsrsquo Today our NOTCH covergirl Priyanka Chopra ndash former Miss World actress singer and goodwill ambassador ndash credits her father for her achievements In her interview the actress opens up about how she owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family

So sometimes just sometimes behind good women are a few truly emancipated men

NOTCH EDIT

A few good men

NOTCH CONTENTS

| CONTENTS

SHEHLA KHANPoised for take off

SANYA DHIR On drapingSonia Gandhi

fash

ion

RITU BERISeasons in

the sun

desig

n

AT HomE with Adarsh Gill

PRIYANKA CHoPRA On top of her game

JEFFREY ARCHER First Among Equals

peop

le

KARISmA KAPooRLooking back looking ahead

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN

Dadrsquos the way to gope

ople

AT THE PEAK Beborsquos favourite holiday destinations

trave

l

| CONTENTS

ANUPAm KHEROn being a die-hard De Niro fan

ADITI RAo HYDARIGets her act together

THE mANY PHASESof Abhishek Kapoor

cinem

a

TAmANNAAH BHATIA

Will not kiss on screen

KoNKoNA SEN SHARmA

Perfects thebalancing act

RANVEER SINGHLetrsquos get physical

BEING STEVE JoBS Ashton Kutcher

| CONTENTS

VIKAS KHANNA A bawarchi in New York

food

SoNAL CHAUHANrsquoS Fruity Fitness Mantra

FRIZZ CoNTRoL Shahnaz Hussainrsquos hair tips

wel

lnes

s

EVELYN SHARmArsquoS

Beauty Secrets

NoTCH LITIn our digital

library

DATE WITH DESTINY Sheetal Dewan predicts

NOTCH FASHION

From running her fatherrsquos embroidery unit to dressing Sonam Kapoor lsquojust for funrsquo designer Shehla Khan talks about how she now plans to take her label overseas

Asmita Aggarwal

Parisian Dreams

| FASHION 1

Shehla Khan is better-known in design circles as fashionista Sonam Kapoorrsquos favourite stylist but this

London College of Fashion graduate has a lot more to offer than just being a star gazer

Shehla began her career working for Manish Malhotra ldquoManish is a true master of his craft I learnt so much from him It was here that I discovered that styling interested me the most so I went to the Istituto Marangoni Milan to do my Masters in the subjectrdquo she remembers

Eventually Shehla joined her fatherrsquos business where she had the opportunity of working with international designers ldquoMy father has been in the embroidery business for the last 30 years and has worked with reputed designers like Gianfranco Ferre Giorgio Armani Valentino Escada Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli This was the time I discovered my passion for European luxury and stylerdquo she admits

Like all style gurus Shehla too had a burning desire to launch her own line so she started small mdash designed a couple of garments dressed her friend Sonam Kapoor mdash before she decided to create her own label and launch her boutique last year Today she is determined to expand her creative horizons keeping individual tastes in mind ldquoTake the example of Sonam She is the epitome of grace in terms of style and versatility She can carry off any look and create an impact mdash from androgynous to feminine romantic to grunge Shersquos raised the bar in terms of stylerdquo she adds

| FASHION 2

Shehlarsquos inspiration comes from Christian Dior ldquofor his idea of couture Audrey Hepburn for her strong and elegant sense of style Valentino because to me he is the ultimate master of the evening gown John Galliano who retained the name and reputation of the original Christian Dior even after he added his own glamorous aesthetic to it Marie Antoinette who lived her life in decadent splendour And Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for the royal elegance with which they present even the simplest garmentrdquo she smiles

If given the opportunity to turn back the clock Shehla would have loved to dress Madhubala Ingrid Bergman Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco ldquoIn Hollywood I find that Diane Kruger pulls off anything she wears with utmost elegance Rosie Huntington Whiteley isnrsquot Hollywood per say but she exudes beauty and has a fantastic figure so I would love to create sexy dresses for herrdquo she smiles

For Spring 2013 Shehla believes tailoring will be the star of the show So minimal yet bespoke silhouettes with prints or with slight embellishments will rise and shine ldquoRich fabrics will complement the silhouettes and stripes and checks will be exceedingly popular But accessories is where the emphasis will lie mdash shoes bags minaudieres and clutches mdash with gold being a must in accessories or embellishmentsrdquo she feels

Currently retailing from her boutique in Colaba Mumbai Shehla supplies part of her Pret collections to Aza and Fizaa and online to Perniarsquos Pop Up Shop However the majority of the collection in her boutique is exclusive ldquoItrsquos only been a year since my boutique was launched and when I do open another one in India it would be in Delhi However Irsquod like my label to go international and itrsquos my dream to have my very own boutique in Paris For now however I am concentrating on exclusivityrdquo she concludes

| FASHION 3

Rohit Panikker

A Job Well Done ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my life was affected by Steve Jobsrsquorsquo says Ashton Kutcher as he talks about preparing for his role in the biopic of the co-founder of Apple

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 4

| CINEMA 5

I n a teaser clip of Jobs the upcoming biopic on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs we

see Ashton Kutcher in the titular role goading Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) into thinking further on an idea he called the ldquooperating systemrdquo and the possibility of personalising a computer the way every user saw fit an idea to which a bemused Wozniak responds ldquoEven if you were developing this for freaks like us which I doubt you are hellip nobody wants to buy a computer Nobodyrdquo Seems like such an irony today given how what happened after that conversation has come to shape our modern tech-driven lives

When the father of the digital revolution died in October 2011 Kutcher was as devastated as the inventorrsquos million other fans ldquoWhen Steve Jobs passed away I had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didnrsquot know what it wasrdquo the actor says ldquoI was like lsquoWow why am I so shook up about thisrsquordquo After replacing Charlie Sheen and well into the popular comedy series Two and a Half Men Kutcher would have seemed the most unlikely candidate to play Steve Jobs But his uncanny resemblance to Jobs was not the only thing that earned him the role ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my

Ashton worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet

| CINEMA 6

life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I couldrdquo he says

When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting

his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet ndash eating only fruits nuts and seeds and no animal products vegetables or grains ldquoFirst of all the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie I was doubled over in pain My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack It was really

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

| CINEMA 7

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Every edition is a revelation Through the words and actions of the cross-section of achievers featured in NOTCH our

world-view broadens every day And while itrsquos become quite fashionable to discuss and deride male chauvinism this edition has opened our eyes to the quiet way in which a few extraordinary men show their respect for the fairer sex

Abhishek Bachchan has always acknowledged the role of the strong women in his life ndash mom Jaya wife Ash and sister Shweta But minutes before he gave NOTCH the interview on being a dad he charmed the audience at Ritu Berirsquos charity show with a rare display of concern A little girl who was walking the ramp burst into tears when her shoelace got untied The child was in obvious distress as she didnrsquot know how to continue when AB Jr played white knight and unmindful of the crowds got on stage bent down and fixed her shoe

Lord Jeffrey Archer didnrsquot just speak about the emancipation of women ndash he made it a point to take to task every waiter who served him before his lady companion every doorman who held the door open for him and not the ladies in his group The author displayed such

warmth and respect for women itrsquos no wonder his female following grows by leaps and bounds every year

Ashton Kutcher too was moved by the power of the Indian women when shooting in the country While exploring the by-lanes of old Delhi on foot he tweeted ldquoMet some powerful girls today in Delhi at Apne Aap A grassroots movement to end sex traffickingrdquo and shared a picture of himself with the young girls there The Hollywood superstarrsquos gesture of support went a long way in aiding the cause that had received little or no support till then

Dr Ashok Chopra is another example of a father who never allowed his daughter to limit herself His dreams gave her flight and in her own words he is lsquothe wind beneath her wingsrsquo Today our NOTCH covergirl Priyanka Chopra ndash former Miss World actress singer and goodwill ambassador ndash credits her father for her achievements In her interview the actress opens up about how she owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family

So sometimes just sometimes behind good women are a few truly emancipated men

NOTCH EDIT

A few good men

NOTCH CONTENTS

| CONTENTS

SHEHLA KHANPoised for take off

SANYA DHIR On drapingSonia Gandhi

fash

ion

RITU BERISeasons in

the sun

desig

n

AT HomE with Adarsh Gill

PRIYANKA CHoPRA On top of her game

JEFFREY ARCHER First Among Equals

peop

le

KARISmA KAPooRLooking back looking ahead

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN

Dadrsquos the way to gope

ople

AT THE PEAK Beborsquos favourite holiday destinations

trave

l

| CONTENTS

ANUPAm KHEROn being a die-hard De Niro fan

ADITI RAo HYDARIGets her act together

THE mANY PHASESof Abhishek Kapoor

cinem

a

TAmANNAAH BHATIA

Will not kiss on screen

KoNKoNA SEN SHARmA

Perfects thebalancing act

RANVEER SINGHLetrsquos get physical

BEING STEVE JoBS Ashton Kutcher

| CONTENTS

VIKAS KHANNA A bawarchi in New York

food

SoNAL CHAUHANrsquoS Fruity Fitness Mantra

FRIZZ CoNTRoL Shahnaz Hussainrsquos hair tips

wel

lnes

s

EVELYN SHARmArsquoS

Beauty Secrets

NoTCH LITIn our digital

library

DATE WITH DESTINY Sheetal Dewan predicts

NOTCH FASHION

From running her fatherrsquos embroidery unit to dressing Sonam Kapoor lsquojust for funrsquo designer Shehla Khan talks about how she now plans to take her label overseas

Asmita Aggarwal

Parisian Dreams

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Shehla Khan is better-known in design circles as fashionista Sonam Kapoorrsquos favourite stylist but this

London College of Fashion graduate has a lot more to offer than just being a star gazer

Shehla began her career working for Manish Malhotra ldquoManish is a true master of his craft I learnt so much from him It was here that I discovered that styling interested me the most so I went to the Istituto Marangoni Milan to do my Masters in the subjectrdquo she remembers

Eventually Shehla joined her fatherrsquos business where she had the opportunity of working with international designers ldquoMy father has been in the embroidery business for the last 30 years and has worked with reputed designers like Gianfranco Ferre Giorgio Armani Valentino Escada Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli This was the time I discovered my passion for European luxury and stylerdquo she admits

Like all style gurus Shehla too had a burning desire to launch her own line so she started small mdash designed a couple of garments dressed her friend Sonam Kapoor mdash before she decided to create her own label and launch her boutique last year Today she is determined to expand her creative horizons keeping individual tastes in mind ldquoTake the example of Sonam She is the epitome of grace in terms of style and versatility She can carry off any look and create an impact mdash from androgynous to feminine romantic to grunge Shersquos raised the bar in terms of stylerdquo she adds

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Shehlarsquos inspiration comes from Christian Dior ldquofor his idea of couture Audrey Hepburn for her strong and elegant sense of style Valentino because to me he is the ultimate master of the evening gown John Galliano who retained the name and reputation of the original Christian Dior even after he added his own glamorous aesthetic to it Marie Antoinette who lived her life in decadent splendour And Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for the royal elegance with which they present even the simplest garmentrdquo she smiles

If given the opportunity to turn back the clock Shehla would have loved to dress Madhubala Ingrid Bergman Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco ldquoIn Hollywood I find that Diane Kruger pulls off anything she wears with utmost elegance Rosie Huntington Whiteley isnrsquot Hollywood per say but she exudes beauty and has a fantastic figure so I would love to create sexy dresses for herrdquo she smiles

For Spring 2013 Shehla believes tailoring will be the star of the show So minimal yet bespoke silhouettes with prints or with slight embellishments will rise and shine ldquoRich fabrics will complement the silhouettes and stripes and checks will be exceedingly popular But accessories is where the emphasis will lie mdash shoes bags minaudieres and clutches mdash with gold being a must in accessories or embellishmentsrdquo she feels

Currently retailing from her boutique in Colaba Mumbai Shehla supplies part of her Pret collections to Aza and Fizaa and online to Perniarsquos Pop Up Shop However the majority of the collection in her boutique is exclusive ldquoItrsquos only been a year since my boutique was launched and when I do open another one in India it would be in Delhi However Irsquod like my label to go international and itrsquos my dream to have my very own boutique in Paris For now however I am concentrating on exclusivityrdquo she concludes

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Rohit Panikker

A Job Well Done ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my life was affected by Steve Jobsrsquorsquo says Ashton Kutcher as he talks about preparing for his role in the biopic of the co-founder of Apple

NOTCH CINEMA

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I n a teaser clip of Jobs the upcoming biopic on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs we

see Ashton Kutcher in the titular role goading Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) into thinking further on an idea he called the ldquooperating systemrdquo and the possibility of personalising a computer the way every user saw fit an idea to which a bemused Wozniak responds ldquoEven if you were developing this for freaks like us which I doubt you are hellip nobody wants to buy a computer Nobodyrdquo Seems like such an irony today given how what happened after that conversation has come to shape our modern tech-driven lives

When the father of the digital revolution died in October 2011 Kutcher was as devastated as the inventorrsquos million other fans ldquoWhen Steve Jobs passed away I had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didnrsquot know what it wasrdquo the actor says ldquoI was like lsquoWow why am I so shook up about thisrsquordquo After replacing Charlie Sheen and well into the popular comedy series Two and a Half Men Kutcher would have seemed the most unlikely candidate to play Steve Jobs But his uncanny resemblance to Jobs was not the only thing that earned him the role ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my

Ashton worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet

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life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I couldrdquo he says

When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting

his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet ndash eating only fruits nuts and seeds and no animal products vegetables or grains ldquoFirst of all the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie I was doubled over in pain My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack It was really

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

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Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

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NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

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Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH CONTENTS

| CONTENTS

SHEHLA KHANPoised for take off

SANYA DHIR On drapingSonia Gandhi

fash

ion

RITU BERISeasons in

the sun

desig

n

AT HomE with Adarsh Gill

PRIYANKA CHoPRA On top of her game

JEFFREY ARCHER First Among Equals

peop

le

KARISmA KAPooRLooking back looking ahead

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN

Dadrsquos the way to gope

ople

AT THE PEAK Beborsquos favourite holiday destinations

trave

l

| CONTENTS

ANUPAm KHEROn being a die-hard De Niro fan

ADITI RAo HYDARIGets her act together

THE mANY PHASESof Abhishek Kapoor

cinem

a

TAmANNAAH BHATIA

Will not kiss on screen

KoNKoNA SEN SHARmA

Perfects thebalancing act

RANVEER SINGHLetrsquos get physical

BEING STEVE JoBS Ashton Kutcher

| CONTENTS

VIKAS KHANNA A bawarchi in New York

food

SoNAL CHAUHANrsquoS Fruity Fitness Mantra

FRIZZ CoNTRoL Shahnaz Hussainrsquos hair tips

wel

lnes

s

EVELYN SHARmArsquoS

Beauty Secrets

NoTCH LITIn our digital

library

DATE WITH DESTINY Sheetal Dewan predicts

NOTCH FASHION

From running her fatherrsquos embroidery unit to dressing Sonam Kapoor lsquojust for funrsquo designer Shehla Khan talks about how she now plans to take her label overseas

Asmita Aggarwal

Parisian Dreams

| FASHION 1

Shehla Khan is better-known in design circles as fashionista Sonam Kapoorrsquos favourite stylist but this

London College of Fashion graduate has a lot more to offer than just being a star gazer

Shehla began her career working for Manish Malhotra ldquoManish is a true master of his craft I learnt so much from him It was here that I discovered that styling interested me the most so I went to the Istituto Marangoni Milan to do my Masters in the subjectrdquo she remembers

Eventually Shehla joined her fatherrsquos business where she had the opportunity of working with international designers ldquoMy father has been in the embroidery business for the last 30 years and has worked with reputed designers like Gianfranco Ferre Giorgio Armani Valentino Escada Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli This was the time I discovered my passion for European luxury and stylerdquo she admits

Like all style gurus Shehla too had a burning desire to launch her own line so she started small mdash designed a couple of garments dressed her friend Sonam Kapoor mdash before she decided to create her own label and launch her boutique last year Today she is determined to expand her creative horizons keeping individual tastes in mind ldquoTake the example of Sonam She is the epitome of grace in terms of style and versatility She can carry off any look and create an impact mdash from androgynous to feminine romantic to grunge Shersquos raised the bar in terms of stylerdquo she adds

| FASHION 2

Shehlarsquos inspiration comes from Christian Dior ldquofor his idea of couture Audrey Hepburn for her strong and elegant sense of style Valentino because to me he is the ultimate master of the evening gown John Galliano who retained the name and reputation of the original Christian Dior even after he added his own glamorous aesthetic to it Marie Antoinette who lived her life in decadent splendour And Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for the royal elegance with which they present even the simplest garmentrdquo she smiles

If given the opportunity to turn back the clock Shehla would have loved to dress Madhubala Ingrid Bergman Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco ldquoIn Hollywood I find that Diane Kruger pulls off anything she wears with utmost elegance Rosie Huntington Whiteley isnrsquot Hollywood per say but she exudes beauty and has a fantastic figure so I would love to create sexy dresses for herrdquo she smiles

For Spring 2013 Shehla believes tailoring will be the star of the show So minimal yet bespoke silhouettes with prints or with slight embellishments will rise and shine ldquoRich fabrics will complement the silhouettes and stripes and checks will be exceedingly popular But accessories is where the emphasis will lie mdash shoes bags minaudieres and clutches mdash with gold being a must in accessories or embellishmentsrdquo she feels

Currently retailing from her boutique in Colaba Mumbai Shehla supplies part of her Pret collections to Aza and Fizaa and online to Perniarsquos Pop Up Shop However the majority of the collection in her boutique is exclusive ldquoItrsquos only been a year since my boutique was launched and when I do open another one in India it would be in Delhi However Irsquod like my label to go international and itrsquos my dream to have my very own boutique in Paris For now however I am concentrating on exclusivityrdquo she concludes

| FASHION 3

Rohit Panikker

A Job Well Done ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my life was affected by Steve Jobsrsquorsquo says Ashton Kutcher as he talks about preparing for his role in the biopic of the co-founder of Apple

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 4

| CINEMA 5

I n a teaser clip of Jobs the upcoming biopic on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs we

see Ashton Kutcher in the titular role goading Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) into thinking further on an idea he called the ldquooperating systemrdquo and the possibility of personalising a computer the way every user saw fit an idea to which a bemused Wozniak responds ldquoEven if you were developing this for freaks like us which I doubt you are hellip nobody wants to buy a computer Nobodyrdquo Seems like such an irony today given how what happened after that conversation has come to shape our modern tech-driven lives

When the father of the digital revolution died in October 2011 Kutcher was as devastated as the inventorrsquos million other fans ldquoWhen Steve Jobs passed away I had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didnrsquot know what it wasrdquo the actor says ldquoI was like lsquoWow why am I so shook up about thisrsquordquo After replacing Charlie Sheen and well into the popular comedy series Two and a Half Men Kutcher would have seemed the most unlikely candidate to play Steve Jobs But his uncanny resemblance to Jobs was not the only thing that earned him the role ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my

Ashton worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet

| CINEMA 6

life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I couldrdquo he says

When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting

his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet ndash eating only fruits nuts and seeds and no animal products vegetables or grains ldquoFirst of all the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie I was doubled over in pain My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack It was really

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

| CINEMA 7

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| CONTENTS

ANUPAm KHEROn being a die-hard De Niro fan

ADITI RAo HYDARIGets her act together

THE mANY PHASESof Abhishek Kapoor

cinem

a

TAmANNAAH BHATIA

Will not kiss on screen

KoNKoNA SEN SHARmA

Perfects thebalancing act

RANVEER SINGHLetrsquos get physical

BEING STEVE JoBS Ashton Kutcher

| CONTENTS

VIKAS KHANNA A bawarchi in New York

food

SoNAL CHAUHANrsquoS Fruity Fitness Mantra

FRIZZ CoNTRoL Shahnaz Hussainrsquos hair tips

wel

lnes

s

EVELYN SHARmArsquoS

Beauty Secrets

NoTCH LITIn our digital

library

DATE WITH DESTINY Sheetal Dewan predicts

NOTCH FASHION

From running her fatherrsquos embroidery unit to dressing Sonam Kapoor lsquojust for funrsquo designer Shehla Khan talks about how she now plans to take her label overseas

Asmita Aggarwal

Parisian Dreams

| FASHION 1

Shehla Khan is better-known in design circles as fashionista Sonam Kapoorrsquos favourite stylist but this

London College of Fashion graduate has a lot more to offer than just being a star gazer

Shehla began her career working for Manish Malhotra ldquoManish is a true master of his craft I learnt so much from him It was here that I discovered that styling interested me the most so I went to the Istituto Marangoni Milan to do my Masters in the subjectrdquo she remembers

Eventually Shehla joined her fatherrsquos business where she had the opportunity of working with international designers ldquoMy father has been in the embroidery business for the last 30 years and has worked with reputed designers like Gianfranco Ferre Giorgio Armani Valentino Escada Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli This was the time I discovered my passion for European luxury and stylerdquo she admits

Like all style gurus Shehla too had a burning desire to launch her own line so she started small mdash designed a couple of garments dressed her friend Sonam Kapoor mdash before she decided to create her own label and launch her boutique last year Today she is determined to expand her creative horizons keeping individual tastes in mind ldquoTake the example of Sonam She is the epitome of grace in terms of style and versatility She can carry off any look and create an impact mdash from androgynous to feminine romantic to grunge Shersquos raised the bar in terms of stylerdquo she adds

| FASHION 2

Shehlarsquos inspiration comes from Christian Dior ldquofor his idea of couture Audrey Hepburn for her strong and elegant sense of style Valentino because to me he is the ultimate master of the evening gown John Galliano who retained the name and reputation of the original Christian Dior even after he added his own glamorous aesthetic to it Marie Antoinette who lived her life in decadent splendour And Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for the royal elegance with which they present even the simplest garmentrdquo she smiles

If given the opportunity to turn back the clock Shehla would have loved to dress Madhubala Ingrid Bergman Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco ldquoIn Hollywood I find that Diane Kruger pulls off anything she wears with utmost elegance Rosie Huntington Whiteley isnrsquot Hollywood per say but she exudes beauty and has a fantastic figure so I would love to create sexy dresses for herrdquo she smiles

For Spring 2013 Shehla believes tailoring will be the star of the show So minimal yet bespoke silhouettes with prints or with slight embellishments will rise and shine ldquoRich fabrics will complement the silhouettes and stripes and checks will be exceedingly popular But accessories is where the emphasis will lie mdash shoes bags minaudieres and clutches mdash with gold being a must in accessories or embellishmentsrdquo she feels

Currently retailing from her boutique in Colaba Mumbai Shehla supplies part of her Pret collections to Aza and Fizaa and online to Perniarsquos Pop Up Shop However the majority of the collection in her boutique is exclusive ldquoItrsquos only been a year since my boutique was launched and when I do open another one in India it would be in Delhi However Irsquod like my label to go international and itrsquos my dream to have my very own boutique in Paris For now however I am concentrating on exclusivityrdquo she concludes

| FASHION 3

Rohit Panikker

A Job Well Done ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my life was affected by Steve Jobsrsquorsquo says Ashton Kutcher as he talks about preparing for his role in the biopic of the co-founder of Apple

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 4

| CINEMA 5

I n a teaser clip of Jobs the upcoming biopic on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs we

see Ashton Kutcher in the titular role goading Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) into thinking further on an idea he called the ldquooperating systemrdquo and the possibility of personalising a computer the way every user saw fit an idea to which a bemused Wozniak responds ldquoEven if you were developing this for freaks like us which I doubt you are hellip nobody wants to buy a computer Nobodyrdquo Seems like such an irony today given how what happened after that conversation has come to shape our modern tech-driven lives

When the father of the digital revolution died in October 2011 Kutcher was as devastated as the inventorrsquos million other fans ldquoWhen Steve Jobs passed away I had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didnrsquot know what it wasrdquo the actor says ldquoI was like lsquoWow why am I so shook up about thisrsquordquo After replacing Charlie Sheen and well into the popular comedy series Two and a Half Men Kutcher would have seemed the most unlikely candidate to play Steve Jobs But his uncanny resemblance to Jobs was not the only thing that earned him the role ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my

Ashton worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet

| CINEMA 6

life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I couldrdquo he says

When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting

his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet ndash eating only fruits nuts and seeds and no animal products vegetables or grains ldquoFirst of all the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie I was doubled over in pain My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack It was really

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

| CINEMA 7

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| CONTENTS

VIKAS KHANNA A bawarchi in New York

food

SoNAL CHAUHANrsquoS Fruity Fitness Mantra

FRIZZ CoNTRoL Shahnaz Hussainrsquos hair tips

wel

lnes

s

EVELYN SHARmArsquoS

Beauty Secrets

NoTCH LITIn our digital

library

DATE WITH DESTINY Sheetal Dewan predicts

NOTCH FASHION

From running her fatherrsquos embroidery unit to dressing Sonam Kapoor lsquojust for funrsquo designer Shehla Khan talks about how she now plans to take her label overseas

Asmita Aggarwal

Parisian Dreams

| FASHION 1

Shehla Khan is better-known in design circles as fashionista Sonam Kapoorrsquos favourite stylist but this

London College of Fashion graduate has a lot more to offer than just being a star gazer

Shehla began her career working for Manish Malhotra ldquoManish is a true master of his craft I learnt so much from him It was here that I discovered that styling interested me the most so I went to the Istituto Marangoni Milan to do my Masters in the subjectrdquo she remembers

Eventually Shehla joined her fatherrsquos business where she had the opportunity of working with international designers ldquoMy father has been in the embroidery business for the last 30 years and has worked with reputed designers like Gianfranco Ferre Giorgio Armani Valentino Escada Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli This was the time I discovered my passion for European luxury and stylerdquo she admits

Like all style gurus Shehla too had a burning desire to launch her own line so she started small mdash designed a couple of garments dressed her friend Sonam Kapoor mdash before she decided to create her own label and launch her boutique last year Today she is determined to expand her creative horizons keeping individual tastes in mind ldquoTake the example of Sonam She is the epitome of grace in terms of style and versatility She can carry off any look and create an impact mdash from androgynous to feminine romantic to grunge Shersquos raised the bar in terms of stylerdquo she adds

| FASHION 2

Shehlarsquos inspiration comes from Christian Dior ldquofor his idea of couture Audrey Hepburn for her strong and elegant sense of style Valentino because to me he is the ultimate master of the evening gown John Galliano who retained the name and reputation of the original Christian Dior even after he added his own glamorous aesthetic to it Marie Antoinette who lived her life in decadent splendour And Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for the royal elegance with which they present even the simplest garmentrdquo she smiles

If given the opportunity to turn back the clock Shehla would have loved to dress Madhubala Ingrid Bergman Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco ldquoIn Hollywood I find that Diane Kruger pulls off anything she wears with utmost elegance Rosie Huntington Whiteley isnrsquot Hollywood per say but she exudes beauty and has a fantastic figure so I would love to create sexy dresses for herrdquo she smiles

For Spring 2013 Shehla believes tailoring will be the star of the show So minimal yet bespoke silhouettes with prints or with slight embellishments will rise and shine ldquoRich fabrics will complement the silhouettes and stripes and checks will be exceedingly popular But accessories is where the emphasis will lie mdash shoes bags minaudieres and clutches mdash with gold being a must in accessories or embellishmentsrdquo she feels

Currently retailing from her boutique in Colaba Mumbai Shehla supplies part of her Pret collections to Aza and Fizaa and online to Perniarsquos Pop Up Shop However the majority of the collection in her boutique is exclusive ldquoItrsquos only been a year since my boutique was launched and when I do open another one in India it would be in Delhi However Irsquod like my label to go international and itrsquos my dream to have my very own boutique in Paris For now however I am concentrating on exclusivityrdquo she concludes

| FASHION 3

Rohit Panikker

A Job Well Done ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my life was affected by Steve Jobsrsquorsquo says Ashton Kutcher as he talks about preparing for his role in the biopic of the co-founder of Apple

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 4

| CINEMA 5

I n a teaser clip of Jobs the upcoming biopic on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs we

see Ashton Kutcher in the titular role goading Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) into thinking further on an idea he called the ldquooperating systemrdquo and the possibility of personalising a computer the way every user saw fit an idea to which a bemused Wozniak responds ldquoEven if you were developing this for freaks like us which I doubt you are hellip nobody wants to buy a computer Nobodyrdquo Seems like such an irony today given how what happened after that conversation has come to shape our modern tech-driven lives

When the father of the digital revolution died in October 2011 Kutcher was as devastated as the inventorrsquos million other fans ldquoWhen Steve Jobs passed away I had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didnrsquot know what it wasrdquo the actor says ldquoI was like lsquoWow why am I so shook up about thisrsquordquo After replacing Charlie Sheen and well into the popular comedy series Two and a Half Men Kutcher would have seemed the most unlikely candidate to play Steve Jobs But his uncanny resemblance to Jobs was not the only thing that earned him the role ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my

Ashton worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet

| CINEMA 6

life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I couldrdquo he says

When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting

his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet ndash eating only fruits nuts and seeds and no animal products vegetables or grains ldquoFirst of all the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie I was doubled over in pain My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack It was really

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

| CINEMA 7

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

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T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

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Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH FASHION

From running her fatherrsquos embroidery unit to dressing Sonam Kapoor lsquojust for funrsquo designer Shehla Khan talks about how she now plans to take her label overseas

Asmita Aggarwal

Parisian Dreams

| FASHION 1

Shehla Khan is better-known in design circles as fashionista Sonam Kapoorrsquos favourite stylist but this

London College of Fashion graduate has a lot more to offer than just being a star gazer

Shehla began her career working for Manish Malhotra ldquoManish is a true master of his craft I learnt so much from him It was here that I discovered that styling interested me the most so I went to the Istituto Marangoni Milan to do my Masters in the subjectrdquo she remembers

Eventually Shehla joined her fatherrsquos business where she had the opportunity of working with international designers ldquoMy father has been in the embroidery business for the last 30 years and has worked with reputed designers like Gianfranco Ferre Giorgio Armani Valentino Escada Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli This was the time I discovered my passion for European luxury and stylerdquo she admits

Like all style gurus Shehla too had a burning desire to launch her own line so she started small mdash designed a couple of garments dressed her friend Sonam Kapoor mdash before she decided to create her own label and launch her boutique last year Today she is determined to expand her creative horizons keeping individual tastes in mind ldquoTake the example of Sonam She is the epitome of grace in terms of style and versatility She can carry off any look and create an impact mdash from androgynous to feminine romantic to grunge Shersquos raised the bar in terms of stylerdquo she adds

| FASHION 2

Shehlarsquos inspiration comes from Christian Dior ldquofor his idea of couture Audrey Hepburn for her strong and elegant sense of style Valentino because to me he is the ultimate master of the evening gown John Galliano who retained the name and reputation of the original Christian Dior even after he added his own glamorous aesthetic to it Marie Antoinette who lived her life in decadent splendour And Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for the royal elegance with which they present even the simplest garmentrdquo she smiles

If given the opportunity to turn back the clock Shehla would have loved to dress Madhubala Ingrid Bergman Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco ldquoIn Hollywood I find that Diane Kruger pulls off anything she wears with utmost elegance Rosie Huntington Whiteley isnrsquot Hollywood per say but she exudes beauty and has a fantastic figure so I would love to create sexy dresses for herrdquo she smiles

For Spring 2013 Shehla believes tailoring will be the star of the show So minimal yet bespoke silhouettes with prints or with slight embellishments will rise and shine ldquoRich fabrics will complement the silhouettes and stripes and checks will be exceedingly popular But accessories is where the emphasis will lie mdash shoes bags minaudieres and clutches mdash with gold being a must in accessories or embellishmentsrdquo she feels

Currently retailing from her boutique in Colaba Mumbai Shehla supplies part of her Pret collections to Aza and Fizaa and online to Perniarsquos Pop Up Shop However the majority of the collection in her boutique is exclusive ldquoItrsquos only been a year since my boutique was launched and when I do open another one in India it would be in Delhi However Irsquod like my label to go international and itrsquos my dream to have my very own boutique in Paris For now however I am concentrating on exclusivityrdquo she concludes

| FASHION 3

Rohit Panikker

A Job Well Done ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my life was affected by Steve Jobsrsquorsquo says Ashton Kutcher as he talks about preparing for his role in the biopic of the co-founder of Apple

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 4

| CINEMA 5

I n a teaser clip of Jobs the upcoming biopic on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs we

see Ashton Kutcher in the titular role goading Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) into thinking further on an idea he called the ldquooperating systemrdquo and the possibility of personalising a computer the way every user saw fit an idea to which a bemused Wozniak responds ldquoEven if you were developing this for freaks like us which I doubt you are hellip nobody wants to buy a computer Nobodyrdquo Seems like such an irony today given how what happened after that conversation has come to shape our modern tech-driven lives

When the father of the digital revolution died in October 2011 Kutcher was as devastated as the inventorrsquos million other fans ldquoWhen Steve Jobs passed away I had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didnrsquot know what it wasrdquo the actor says ldquoI was like lsquoWow why am I so shook up about thisrsquordquo After replacing Charlie Sheen and well into the popular comedy series Two and a Half Men Kutcher would have seemed the most unlikely candidate to play Steve Jobs But his uncanny resemblance to Jobs was not the only thing that earned him the role ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my

Ashton worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet

| CINEMA 6

life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I couldrdquo he says

When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting

his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet ndash eating only fruits nuts and seeds and no animal products vegetables or grains ldquoFirst of all the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie I was doubled over in pain My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack It was really

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

| CINEMA 7

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Shehla Khan is better-known in design circles as fashionista Sonam Kapoorrsquos favourite stylist but this

London College of Fashion graduate has a lot more to offer than just being a star gazer

Shehla began her career working for Manish Malhotra ldquoManish is a true master of his craft I learnt so much from him It was here that I discovered that styling interested me the most so I went to the Istituto Marangoni Milan to do my Masters in the subjectrdquo she remembers

Eventually Shehla joined her fatherrsquos business where she had the opportunity of working with international designers ldquoMy father has been in the embroidery business for the last 30 years and has worked with reputed designers like Gianfranco Ferre Giorgio Armani Valentino Escada Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli This was the time I discovered my passion for European luxury and stylerdquo she admits

Like all style gurus Shehla too had a burning desire to launch her own line so she started small mdash designed a couple of garments dressed her friend Sonam Kapoor mdash before she decided to create her own label and launch her boutique last year Today she is determined to expand her creative horizons keeping individual tastes in mind ldquoTake the example of Sonam She is the epitome of grace in terms of style and versatility She can carry off any look and create an impact mdash from androgynous to feminine romantic to grunge Shersquos raised the bar in terms of stylerdquo she adds

| FASHION 2

Shehlarsquos inspiration comes from Christian Dior ldquofor his idea of couture Audrey Hepburn for her strong and elegant sense of style Valentino because to me he is the ultimate master of the evening gown John Galliano who retained the name and reputation of the original Christian Dior even after he added his own glamorous aesthetic to it Marie Antoinette who lived her life in decadent splendour And Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for the royal elegance with which they present even the simplest garmentrdquo she smiles

If given the opportunity to turn back the clock Shehla would have loved to dress Madhubala Ingrid Bergman Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco ldquoIn Hollywood I find that Diane Kruger pulls off anything she wears with utmost elegance Rosie Huntington Whiteley isnrsquot Hollywood per say but she exudes beauty and has a fantastic figure so I would love to create sexy dresses for herrdquo she smiles

For Spring 2013 Shehla believes tailoring will be the star of the show So minimal yet bespoke silhouettes with prints or with slight embellishments will rise and shine ldquoRich fabrics will complement the silhouettes and stripes and checks will be exceedingly popular But accessories is where the emphasis will lie mdash shoes bags minaudieres and clutches mdash with gold being a must in accessories or embellishmentsrdquo she feels

Currently retailing from her boutique in Colaba Mumbai Shehla supplies part of her Pret collections to Aza and Fizaa and online to Perniarsquos Pop Up Shop However the majority of the collection in her boutique is exclusive ldquoItrsquos only been a year since my boutique was launched and when I do open another one in India it would be in Delhi However Irsquod like my label to go international and itrsquos my dream to have my very own boutique in Paris For now however I am concentrating on exclusivityrdquo she concludes

| FASHION 3

Rohit Panikker

A Job Well Done ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my life was affected by Steve Jobsrsquorsquo says Ashton Kutcher as he talks about preparing for his role in the biopic of the co-founder of Apple

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 4

| CINEMA 5

I n a teaser clip of Jobs the upcoming biopic on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs we

see Ashton Kutcher in the titular role goading Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) into thinking further on an idea he called the ldquooperating systemrdquo and the possibility of personalising a computer the way every user saw fit an idea to which a bemused Wozniak responds ldquoEven if you were developing this for freaks like us which I doubt you are hellip nobody wants to buy a computer Nobodyrdquo Seems like such an irony today given how what happened after that conversation has come to shape our modern tech-driven lives

When the father of the digital revolution died in October 2011 Kutcher was as devastated as the inventorrsquos million other fans ldquoWhen Steve Jobs passed away I had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didnrsquot know what it wasrdquo the actor says ldquoI was like lsquoWow why am I so shook up about thisrsquordquo After replacing Charlie Sheen and well into the popular comedy series Two and a Half Men Kutcher would have seemed the most unlikely candidate to play Steve Jobs But his uncanny resemblance to Jobs was not the only thing that earned him the role ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my

Ashton worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet

| CINEMA 6

life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I couldrdquo he says

When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting

his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet ndash eating only fruits nuts and seeds and no animal products vegetables or grains ldquoFirst of all the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie I was doubled over in pain My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack It was really

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

| CINEMA 7

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Shehlarsquos inspiration comes from Christian Dior ldquofor his idea of couture Audrey Hepburn for her strong and elegant sense of style Valentino because to me he is the ultimate master of the evening gown John Galliano who retained the name and reputation of the original Christian Dior even after he added his own glamorous aesthetic to it Marie Antoinette who lived her life in decadent splendour And Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for the royal elegance with which they present even the simplest garmentrdquo she smiles

If given the opportunity to turn back the clock Shehla would have loved to dress Madhubala Ingrid Bergman Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco ldquoIn Hollywood I find that Diane Kruger pulls off anything she wears with utmost elegance Rosie Huntington Whiteley isnrsquot Hollywood per say but she exudes beauty and has a fantastic figure so I would love to create sexy dresses for herrdquo she smiles

For Spring 2013 Shehla believes tailoring will be the star of the show So minimal yet bespoke silhouettes with prints or with slight embellishments will rise and shine ldquoRich fabrics will complement the silhouettes and stripes and checks will be exceedingly popular But accessories is where the emphasis will lie mdash shoes bags minaudieres and clutches mdash with gold being a must in accessories or embellishmentsrdquo she feels

Currently retailing from her boutique in Colaba Mumbai Shehla supplies part of her Pret collections to Aza and Fizaa and online to Perniarsquos Pop Up Shop However the majority of the collection in her boutique is exclusive ldquoItrsquos only been a year since my boutique was launched and when I do open another one in India it would be in Delhi However Irsquod like my label to go international and itrsquos my dream to have my very own boutique in Paris For now however I am concentrating on exclusivityrdquo she concludes

| FASHION 3

Rohit Panikker

A Job Well Done ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my life was affected by Steve Jobsrsquorsquo says Ashton Kutcher as he talks about preparing for his role in the biopic of the co-founder of Apple

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 4

| CINEMA 5

I n a teaser clip of Jobs the upcoming biopic on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs we

see Ashton Kutcher in the titular role goading Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) into thinking further on an idea he called the ldquooperating systemrdquo and the possibility of personalising a computer the way every user saw fit an idea to which a bemused Wozniak responds ldquoEven if you were developing this for freaks like us which I doubt you are hellip nobody wants to buy a computer Nobodyrdquo Seems like such an irony today given how what happened after that conversation has come to shape our modern tech-driven lives

When the father of the digital revolution died in October 2011 Kutcher was as devastated as the inventorrsquos million other fans ldquoWhen Steve Jobs passed away I had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didnrsquot know what it wasrdquo the actor says ldquoI was like lsquoWow why am I so shook up about thisrsquordquo After replacing Charlie Sheen and well into the popular comedy series Two and a Half Men Kutcher would have seemed the most unlikely candidate to play Steve Jobs But his uncanny resemblance to Jobs was not the only thing that earned him the role ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my

Ashton worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet

| CINEMA 6

life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I couldrdquo he says

When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting

his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet ndash eating only fruits nuts and seeds and no animal products vegetables or grains ldquoFirst of all the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie I was doubled over in pain My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack It was really

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

| CINEMA 7

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Rohit Panikker

A Job Well Done ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my life was affected by Steve Jobsrsquorsquo says Ashton Kutcher as he talks about preparing for his role in the biopic of the co-founder of Apple

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 4

| CINEMA 5

I n a teaser clip of Jobs the upcoming biopic on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs we

see Ashton Kutcher in the titular role goading Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) into thinking further on an idea he called the ldquooperating systemrdquo and the possibility of personalising a computer the way every user saw fit an idea to which a bemused Wozniak responds ldquoEven if you were developing this for freaks like us which I doubt you are hellip nobody wants to buy a computer Nobodyrdquo Seems like such an irony today given how what happened after that conversation has come to shape our modern tech-driven lives

When the father of the digital revolution died in October 2011 Kutcher was as devastated as the inventorrsquos million other fans ldquoWhen Steve Jobs passed away I had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didnrsquot know what it wasrdquo the actor says ldquoI was like lsquoWow why am I so shook up about thisrsquordquo After replacing Charlie Sheen and well into the popular comedy series Two and a Half Men Kutcher would have seemed the most unlikely candidate to play Steve Jobs But his uncanny resemblance to Jobs was not the only thing that earned him the role ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my

Ashton worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet

| CINEMA 6

life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I couldrdquo he says

When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting

his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet ndash eating only fruits nuts and seeds and no animal products vegetables or grains ldquoFirst of all the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie I was doubled over in pain My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack It was really

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

| CINEMA 7

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| CINEMA 5

I n a teaser clip of Jobs the upcoming biopic on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs we

see Ashton Kutcher in the titular role goading Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) into thinking further on an idea he called the ldquooperating systemrdquo and the possibility of personalising a computer the way every user saw fit an idea to which a bemused Wozniak responds ldquoEven if you were developing this for freaks like us which I doubt you are hellip nobody wants to buy a computer Nobodyrdquo Seems like such an irony today given how what happened after that conversation has come to shape our modern tech-driven lives

When the father of the digital revolution died in October 2011 Kutcher was as devastated as the inventorrsquos million other fans ldquoWhen Steve Jobs passed away I had this bizarre emotional reaction and I didnrsquot know what it wasrdquo the actor says ldquoI was like lsquoWow why am I so shook up about thisrsquordquo After replacing Charlie Sheen and well into the popular comedy series Two and a Half Men Kutcher would have seemed the most unlikely candidate to play Steve Jobs But his uncanny resemblance to Jobs was not the only thing that earned him the role ldquoI started thinking about all the ways my

Ashton worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet

| CINEMA 6

life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I couldrdquo he says

When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting

his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet ndash eating only fruits nuts and seeds and no animal products vegetables or grains ldquoFirst of all the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie I was doubled over in pain My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack It was really

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

| CINEMA 7

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| CINEMA 6

life was affected by this guy and began learning about him anywhere and everywhere I couldrdquo he says

When his agent handed him the script by Matt Whiteley Ashton read it in a day and worked for months researching every aspect of Jobsrsquo personality and idiosyncrasies even adopting

his lsquofruitarianrsquo diet ndash eating only fruits nuts and seeds and no animal products vegetables or grains ldquoFirst of all the fruitarian diet can lead to like severe issues I went to the hospital like two days before we started shooting the movie I was doubled over in pain My pancreas levels were like completely out of whack It was really

Ashton Kutcher in Jobs

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

| CINEMA 7

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

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Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
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• 85-stocklist

terrifying considering everythingrdquo the actor shares

The actor says he viewed taking on the role of Jobs as a way to honour a man whose genius like that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford is in evidence everywhere around us He says Jobs was that rare genius ldquolike Leonardo Da Vinci mdash someone who can paint a Mona Lisa and build a flying contraptionrdquo

Kutcher says Jobsrsquo defining characteristic was his laser focus on the goal along with an ability ldquoto say no to the things that a lot of other people would say yes tordquo The object of that focus he says was the creation of a great consumer experience ldquoHe cared more than anyone else mdash with every fiber of his being mdash about the quality of that experiencerdquo the actor says ldquoHe dedicated his entire life to building the greatest personal computer in the world and I think to date hersquos done itrdquo

Jobs the film focuses on the early years of Steve Jobs and how he established Apple a name familiar with everyone ndash tech junkie or otherwise And the challenge when dealing with such a well-known figure is trying to get it right and to

introduce a character who was enigmatic Very few people really knew who he really was including those who were around him for many years And that Kutcher observes is something else the film tries to explore mdash Steve Jobsrsquo never-ending search for a creative partner he could trust be it Steve Wozniak investor Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) or marketing virtuoso John Sculley (Matthew Modine)

ldquoAll three represent different aspects of that and somewhere along the way it didnrsquot work out with each of them to put it mildlyrdquo Kutcher says ldquoWe all spend our lives looking for partners to make great things with and as a sort of backbone of this movie yoursquove got a guy who wants to create something who wants to change the world who wants to make a difference and is looking for the partner to do that withrdquo

ldquoEverything that Steve Jobs ever did he had a reason forrdquo says the actor every bit a tribute to the iconic character he plays in the film ldquoSome people didnrsquot agree with his reasons but I think that people are going to celebrate him for a very very very long timerdquo

| CINEMA 7

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Sanya Dhir talks about understanding the refined tastes of the First Lady of politics Sonia Gandhi and how lsquosecretrsquo boxes are sent to 10 Janpath carrying subtle woven wonders

NOTCH FASHION

Asmita Aggarwal

POWERDRESSING

| FASHION 8

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| fashion 9

It was a pink hand-woven khadi sari ndash a beautiful creation that Jawaharlal Nehru wove when he was in prison His

daughter Indira Gandhi wore it on her wedding day and years later her daughter-in-law Sonia was attired in it when she tied the knot with Rajiv in 1968 Twenty eight years on Indirarsquos grand daughter Priyanka wore it when she married Robert Vadra

As is evident by this Sonia like the senior Mrs Gandhi is a lover of tradition and traditional weaves mdash a fact that most of us know But what many of us donrsquot known is that someone as unlikely as an air force pilot called Surinder Dhir continues an age-old tradition mdash started by his father way back in the early 1950s That of delivering what the Dhir family calls lsquosecret boxesrsquo containing saris mdash especially selected from their outlet called Karol Bagh Sari House (KBSH) mdash to the Gandhi residence

Sanya Dhir Surinderrsquos daughter elaborates on how Soniarsquos fashion choices are dictated by handlooms and not commercial power looms that are slowly taking over the life and livelihood of Indiarsquos weavers ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often look plainrdquo explains Sanya

Khadi georgette woven saris are another of Soniarsquos favourites but bling is a strict no ldquoMy dad who has been involved in the selection process for over 20 years knows that she likes hand dyes vegetable colours hand painted saris or Jamdanis with small bootis (motifs) Understated elegance is her style mantrardquo says Sanya

KBSH is one of the few sari houses that work

ldquoSoniajirsquos taste is simple She likes the Dhakkais (in

muslin) which are painstakingly woven and often

look plainrdquo

TAP FOR VIDEO

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

directly with the weavers mdash so there are no middlemen Purity of fabric is ensured and the zari comes with an authentication certificate ldquoThe saris that we craft for Soniaji are so intricate that only a master weaver can create them The colour in the warp and weft is changed every six inches so it takes between one to three months to weave a single sari Soniaji doesnrsquot like gold or showy borders and the weavers have been directed to create her saris in shades that she likes to wear mdash pastels browns greys deep blues cappuccino and of course various shades of white (from ivory to eggshell white) with thin borders which she teams with stylish peep toesrdquo she adds

Few know that Sonia prefers wearing Katan silk mdash a subtle finely woven fabric ldquoKeeping Soniajirsquos profile in mind KBSH doesnrsquot offer her neons (though I did see her wearing a parrot green sari on the day Pranab Mukherjee was sworn in as President and was pleasantly surprised) In winter our selection changes to Jamevars Manmohan Singhrsquos wife Gursharan Kaur and Kapil Sibalrsquos wife Promila are old customers However they prefer quiet saris in dull gold with ambi (mango) motifs for formal functionsrdquo

Sanya hopes to dress Priyanka in a KBSH sari one day ldquoPriyanka is not a flashy person mdash she can carry off a pant-suit as effortlessly as a sari with Kohlapuris I hope to give her something that she can pass on to her daughter Mirayardquo she concludes

| FASHION 10

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

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85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
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• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
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• 85-stocklist

NOTCH PEOPLE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

Daddyrsquos lilrsquo girl Priyanka Chopra reveals the fighter inside as she takes on her detractors and refuses to be drawn into controversies Asmita Aggarwal

| PEOPLE 11

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| PEOPLE 12

Photography Avinash GowarikerMake up Mickey ContractorCourtesy Red Chillies Entertainment

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Better known as Priyanka Choprarsquos father Dr Ashok Chopra received a grand tribute from his daughter who

had the words lsquoDaddyrsquos lil girlrsquo tattooed on her wrist The strain of her fatherrsquos ill health reflects in the Bollywood beautyrsquos eyes when you ask her about him ldquoHe is ailing I am only back from his bedside to honour my professional commitments I pray he gets better I do love him ndash he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo she says

Shooting for Apoorva Lakhiarsquos Zanjeer with Sanjay Dutt and Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Gunday with newbie Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh Priyanka has her hands full and is exhausted after the continuous shooting In fact she hopes to take some time off to relax and rejuvenate ldquoGunday is set in the 70s and based on the mafia nexus so it is quite an exciting project for merdquo she confesses Dressed in a creamy white top and skinny jeans that reveal her waif thin waist Priyanka makes sure that her straightened hair and fringe are in place before she begins to tell you how delighted she is about the accolades she won for her role in Barfi and what a life-altering decision it was for her ldquoTo play an autistic girl convincingly is no mean feat Anurag was extremely understanding ndash egging me on to give my best It was a tough role as it had to be done with sensitivity and I am glad it was considered for the Oscarsrdquo she adds

Priyanka is not one to shy away from a challenge whether personal or professional She loves sports so maybe thatrsquos why her role in a film based on sportsperson Mary Komrsquos life is something dear to her heart Though the Olympian did declare that Priyanka was way better looking than her the latter says ldquoMary has been an inspirationrsquorsquo Priyanka plans to visit Maryrsquos hometown to understand the finer nuances of the person behind the champ she plans to play on 70 mm ldquoMary is totally involved in the project I met her recently and was floored by her courage

determination and grit This mother of twins is an extraordinary human being She made me laugh a lot She has a fabulous sense of humour is fun full of beans and a great girl Look what she has achieved just because of her

will power to face the odds with equanimity I intend visiting her academy and also start my training in boxing to get into the character It will require a lot of physical as well as mental disciplinerdquo says Priyanka

The former Miss World has many feathers in her cap and singing is one of them Talking about her recent release In My City featuring rap artiste and Black Eyed Peas singer WillIAm she confesses that shersquos thrilled about how well the song was received ldquoAtom Factory CEO Troy Carter (who also manages Lady Gaga) will be my manager for music

On her father

ldquoHe is ailing I pray he gets better I love him - he is the wind beneath my wingsrdquo

| PEOPLE 13

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

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Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| people 14

globally If given an opportunity in Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yet I was a bathroom singer I never thought I would sing professionally one day But then I said lsquowhy notrsquo and it all worked out so well I am under contract to Universal right now so I canrsquot sing for anybody else But who knows what the future holds I am happy my dad pushed me to do this He is a fabulous singer and wanted me to pursue this before I decided to become an actressrdquo admits the desi girl

Despite the accolades Priyanka admits she hates singing live ldquoI like to be prepared and I donrsquot think I am so ready right nowrdquo she explainsPriyanka who is the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF feels that women are the backbone of any family and owes her success to her upbringing and of course a loving family ldquoWe as women have the ability to bring people together ndash I was lucky that my parents empowered me with education and maybe thatrsquos why associating with the Dare to Care campaign has been a journey of revelationrdquo says Priyanka

Working with UNICEF changed Priyankarsquos world view It made her a better person she confesses and even though she says the gang rape of a 23-year-old has shaken her up she hopes that the government will punish the guilty severely ldquoMany journalists

quizzed me about why Bollywood stars didnrsquot show up at India Gate to support the protests I wanted to ask them why they felt they needed stars for causes My coming or going is not going to matter until we can change the way men view women And this must start at the grassroots levelrdquo she adds

Being an actress you need to look like a million bucks on the red carpet feels Priyanka who loves Falguni and Shane Peacock and has roped in Middle-East

based style guru Pria Kataria Puri to design her clothes for Zanjeer where she plays an NRI Does she have a favourite look ldquoYou know people think I am a lover of dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhere ndash even on the icy slopes of Switzerland in the freezing cold They drape your body so elegantly and effortlessly Otherwise I am a creature of comfort I love jeans and a T-shirt I am not a fashion victim For instance I wonrsquot be seen wearing colour blocking just because itrsquos in Irsquom not a lsquome toorsquo kind of girl Fashion must reflect who you are as a person ndash a woman with confidence ndash so I dress accordinglyrdquo she confesses

With cousin sister Parineeti in the running Priyanka is on the way to creating her own

On singingldquoIf given an opportunity in

Bollywood Irsquod love to sing my own songs but nobody has asked me as yetrdquo

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| PEOPLE 15

On dressing up

ldquoPeople think I love dresses but I actually love saris I can wear them anytime anywhererdquo

little Chopra clan within the film industry But she wants Parineeti to learn from her mistakes and wishes her super success in 2013 ldquoI am sure Parineeti who is a strong-willed girl with her heart in the right place will chart her own path in the unforgiving world of Bollywood My only advice for her as an older sis would be to be herself and not lose focus after all that fame money and power All these things are transitory It is best to be grounded and not get overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour ndash that way you can protect yourself from getting hurtrdquo she says

And who would know better than Priyanka about controversies with her name being linked to King Khanrsquos (SRK) being allegedly blacklisted by Gauri Khanrsquos buddy Karan Johar and her phone records being leaked by an angry secretary alleging her torrid affair with a married film star But Priyanka refuses to get drawn into any conversation regarding the past And maybe thatrsquos why shersquos determined to remain happy ldquoI will live for the moment ndash take each day as it comes and will try not to think about what will and what will not happen in the futurerdquo she concludes

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 16

StingRocks Jodhpur

A select audience had the privilege of enjoying legendary musicianSting live as he performed at

the grand finale of the Jodhpur OneWorld Retreat (JOWR) in support of the Indian Head Injury FoundationThe event titled lsquoA Beautiful Mindrsquo was hosted by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and took place at the Umaid Bhawan Palace from March 8 to 10 2013 Luminaries from across the globe including philanthropists experts in neuroscience and philosophy andindustry heads came together to brainstorm about ways and means toprevent and reduce the number of head injuries in India the head injury capital of the world

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Sting performes at the Umaid Bhavan Palace

Sting performed at the private one-night only concert to raise funds and awareness of this growing problem The artiste lent his support saying ldquoThis important issue deserves our attention nowrdquo

Performing against the backdrop of the beautifully illuminated palace Sting came on dressed in skinny dark pants and a black tie and performed his popular songs The concert was followed by a black-tie dinner and charity auction after which the guests let their hair down at an after-party held at the Marwar Hall of the palace Guests at the event included Sir Bob Geldof Jemima Khan Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Mukesh Ambani among others

| INSIDER 17

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH PEOPLE

My greatest gift to Aaradhya will be that of unconditional supportrdquo says new dad Abhishek Bachchan as his daughter turns one

Asmita Aggarwal

BetiBBringing Up

| PEOPLE 18

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

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Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

BetiB

| PEOPLE 19

As a parent the greatest gift you can give your child is love

compassion support and educationrdquo says Abhishek Bachchan as he talks about his tiny daughter Aaradhya who is now a little more than a year old Wearing a leather jacket that accentuates his boyish appeal Abhishek stresses that Aaradhya will ldquohave the privilege of choosing what she wants to wear and what she wants to be when she grows up Whether she wants to walk the ramp or be an actor will finally be her own decision As a parent I will support her in whatever career move she makesrdquo

Fondly referred to as the Suri Cruise of India Aaradhyarsquos birthday presents included a Rs 54 crore home in Dubai from her famous mom and a BMW mini Cooper from her doting grandfather

A hands-on father loving and contributing both in terms of time and energy Abhishek hopes to bring Aaradhya up to be a good human being ldquoKids are so pure and innocent and there is a lot they can teach yourdquo he says as an aside

Not a great believer in Womenrsquos Day or Valentinersquos Day or even Motherrsquos Day ndash

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Abhishek however admits his mother Jaya has been his inspiration and that he does believe in woman power ldquoWomen must be respected loved cherished and celebrated Ash and my mom have been two strong women in my life and I have learnt so much from them A mother gives birth and loves her child unconditionally ndash this for me is the most selfless act everrdquo he says

eyes almost conceals what a good samaritan Abhishek is at heart He has been known to support meaningful causes like Prerna a public trust based in Ahmedabad that helps children with special needs as he suffered from mild dyslexia a learning disability in school He is now

the flag bearer for a foundation that works with autistic kids and is involved

not only in spreading awareness but also in raising funds ldquoCreating awareness about such conditions is a

must Whatever I do is just a drop in the

ocean We must all have a sense of social responsibility and a conscience that drives us towards the greater good of societyrdquo he emphasises

Abhishekrsquos sister Shweta lives in Delhi and he like a doting brother manages to take time off from his hectic schedule to see her ldquoI love being in Delhirdquo he confesses ldquoShweta is special and we share a great bondrdquo

The mischievous glint in his

| PEOPLE 20

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH CINEMA

21

GOODFELLASAnupam Kher opens up about making

Robert De Niro uncomfortable by crying at their first meeting

| CINEMA

Arpita Chatterjee

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

2013 has got be one of the most notable years in Anupam Kherrsquos life Hersquos released a book The Best

About You is You hersquos been in the Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook not to speak of his film Special 26 which has been a hit Hersquos also thrilled about having directed the 29-minute film I Went Shopping for De Niro early this year And all this is just for starters

ldquoI am happy to be working in such interesting timesrdquo says Anupam agreeing that the year has begun in a very special way rdquoIrsquom thankful that all this is happening when I still have a good 20 years left in the industry to execute some noteworthy workrdquo

Coming from humble origins Anupam who grew up Shimla did not speak English till much later in his life ldquoThe first English movie I saw was The Dirty Dozen when I was around 10 but I didnrsquot understand a word of itrdquo he confesses

Sharing space with his idol the legendary Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook was for Kher a dream come true ldquoIn fact the first time I met Robert De Niro in his trailer I started to cry which made him very uncomfortable Of course I explained to him that my tears were ones of joy because of where my journey had begun Itrsquos because I come from a small town that I am not indifferent about life mdash that sense of wonderment is still aliverdquo he says

Perhaps this is one reason why Anupam has not let the circumstances in his life change him ldquoI never lie to myself and this gives me a sense of liberty I acted in a play

called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai which was based on the failures and disasters in my life Performing this in front of an audience liberated me from the fear of failure So you see everything is an achievement nowrdquo he exclaims

Anupam may not be afraid of failure but he does get anxious when hersquos flying Alzheimerrsquos is another bug bear he admits ldquoItrsquos a disease I had to research when I was working on Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara Sometimes knowledge just adds to your worriesrdquo

The star who has acted in 460 films so far says hersquos not content to sit on his laurels ldquoOver-confidence is onersquos greatest enemy I want to come up with better performances If I got lazy it would stunt my growthrdquo Thatrsquos possibly one reason why hersquos willing to experiment with daring roles and with new directors ndash A Wednesday and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara As he says ldquoI am my own harshest critic and I like to keep pushing the envelope I have more energy today than I had earlierrdquo True considering hersquos still

| CINEMA 22

Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| CINEMA 23

doing seven to eight films a year ldquoAge is just a number for me I donrsquot let it define what I want to do or achieve I live life based on my feelings not my age And I donrsquot feel any different now from the way I felt at 20 So why should I slow down

Having acted in a number of Hollywood productions lately Anupam agrees that Western productions are way more professional ldquoThey just value their time Nothing is left to chance ndash everything is organised in advance We are getting there ndash I am doing a film called Le Le Meri Jaan next in which the team seems to be very well preparedrdquo he says

Anupam feels that filmmakers in India should be more original ldquoAn original thought is always more attractive than a borrowed one Thatrsquos why Satyajit Ray got an Oscarrdquo he says adding ldquowith the Internet exposing audiences to world cinema people will have a choice This is when it will become imperative to raise your standardsrdquo

The eternal optimist Anupam believes in being positive ldquoMy grandfather taught me that one should not double onersquos problems ndash once by thinking about them and the second time by going through them I try to live by this credordquo

ldquoThe first time I met my idol

Robert De Niro I started to

cry which made him very

uncomfortable I explained to him

that my tears were ones of joy

because of where my

journey had begunrdquo

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH FASHION

BERI BERIGOOD

From the luxe catwalks of France to the Blessed Hearts Foundation for Autism Ritu Beri has travelled far and says her journey has been a revelation

Asmita Aggarwal

| FASHION 24

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| FASHION 25

I trsquos difficult to say what I was looking forrsquorsquo Mounir

Moufarrige former Chairman of the France Luxury Group (FLG) told celebrated fashion writer Suzy Menkes of the New York Times Moufarrige was talking about the time he launched Ritu Beri onto the fashion arena in Paris sometime in the late 90s ldquoI was looking for someone with talenthellip for style that wouldnrsquot only last a seasonhellip I saw one of Ritursquos shows and was astounded by the sensuality of her clothes ndash the flow the cut the attention to detail is what gives them that striking identity She cuts jackets and trousers like I have never seen beforerdquo he added

ldquoMounir and I enjoyed a great partnership and together we discovered an exciting journey in

designrdquo said Ritu Beri then the only Indian face in the international fashion market who had managed to

successfully court the impossible French luxury

segment Ritu many of her contemporaries admit has a way with the French So maybe it was her inherent grace that charmed the legendary Francois Lesage her mentor Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pressure on her to succeed and the fact that she headed the acclaimed French label Scherrer started by Jean Louis a one-stop-shop for the rich and famous looking for glamorous evening wear was proof of her success ldquoIt was a once in a lifetime experience There was a lot I learnt to do and a lot I learnt not to do My pattern-makers trained under their French counterparts and the entire working of our studio was influenced by everything I had learnt in Paris I would say those years were an intensive crash course in fashion for merdquo she admits

Staying away from fashion weeks Ritu says she would rather focus on one thing at a time and give it all shersquos got

43rd

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| FASHION 26

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

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Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

ldquoItrsquos about being inspired by whatever I am doing at a given point in time In fashion one must always be an original creator and go beyond the ordinaryrdquo she smiles

After being in the limelight for most of her youth Ritu now prefers to offer her time to issues that concern her at a deeper level ldquoSince the birth of my daughter I have become more sensitive to children and their problems I founded The Blessed Heart Foundation a charity with the mission of supporting less-privileged children and creating awareness about autismrdquo

On the home front Ritu lives a quiet life with businessman husband Bobby Chaddha and their daughter Gia ldquoI like to spend time with my daughter and inculcating values that will make her a good human being is my mission I donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love and familyrdquo she confesses

| FASHION 27

ldquoI donrsquot miss the limelight itrsquos just a trap All you need is peace love amp familyrdquo

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

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Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 28

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

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Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| INSIDER 29

We saw it when Tom Cruise made his lsquoshortrsquo trip We saw

it when Oprah glowed at Parmeshwar Godrejrsquos welcome do When Hollywood blue blood comes calling the usually haughty Bollywood folks turn into drooling star-struck fan-boys (and girls) So when the legendary Steven Spielberg invited some of the best filmmakers in Bollywood for a lsquomasterclassrsquo some diffidence was expected However instead of a schmoozing party when the filmmakers had to sit through a formal interaction

in the form of a masterclass another

side of Bollywood was revealed Steven Spielberg was in India as the guest of Mr Anil Ambani

Chairman Reliance ADA Group It was not

an invitation he could turn down as Mr Ambani is also the Mr Moneybags who rescued Spielbergrsquos production house Dreamworks from going bust And despite Spielbergrsquos cinematic portrayal of India (remember he portrayed Indians as monkey-brain savouring savages in Indiana Jones and the Temple of

Javed Akhtar

Madhur Bhandarkar

and Ramesh Sippy

Anil AmbaniKate Capshaw Steven Spielberg and Amitabh Bachchan

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Doom) the legendary filmmaker proved to be quite a congenial and down-to-earth guy Unfortunately the gathering of 50-odd of the brightest brains from Bollywood did little to change his presumed perceptions about the intellectual levels of Indians during the course of an exclusive invitees only masterclass that he conducted The select guests dressed in their Sunday best proved to be an attentive audience as Mr Amitabh Bachchan engaged Spielberg in a heart-to-heart about films and filmmaking Mr Bachchan was sharp as a censorrsquos scissor Like a professional interviewer he had done his research and like a professional actor he knew his lines never once referring to the bunch of notes he was holding His questions ranged from professional observations like the use of sound in Spielbergrsquos first film Duel and the contrarian choice of Tom Hanks in the role of a soldier in Saving Private Ryan to personal ldquoWhat do your kids think of your filmsrdquo Spielberg responded with an unusual openness even confessing to his desperation

to helm a Bond film as well as how he was turned down twice by the Bond franchise producers despite making blockbuster films The august audience watched the proceedings like they watch pirated DVDs all eyes and ears lest they miss any lsquoinspirationrsquo So far so good Then the floor was thrown open to QampA And this is where things started going south The guests reacted like a bunch of elementary school kids asked to take a surprise test

Graciously Spielberg offered to ease the tension and ask some questions ldquoWho among you has made an action movie recentlyrdquo Not a single director replied And this was an audience that included Bollywoodrsquos action-specialists Abbas-Mustan who recently released Race 2 the poster-boy of gritty violent cinema Anuraag Kashyap whose 2012 film Gangs Of Wasseypur by his own accounts has been internationally hailed as Indiarsquos answer to The Godfather Not to mention Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat 2) and Bijoy Nambiar (David) For lack of response Spielberg asked ldquoWho among you has made a

comedy recentlyrdquo One hand went up ndash Homi Adajania (Cocktail) A disappointed Spielberg was forced to encourage the crowd with a ldquoAww come on These are broad genres Ok who has made a musical recentlyrdquo Still no response Finally an apologetic Mr Bachchan had to interfere with a tongue-in-cheek clarification that everyone in Bollywood makes musicals Spielberg by this time seems to have realised that it was no use talking to filmmakers who had no clue about the genre of their last made movie Very often questions asked by lsquoimportant peoplersquo in public are not questions but statements as was evident when Javed Akhtar questioned whether Spielberg was moving from his earlier child-like films to more serious cinema Spielberg promptly threw the recent Tintin in his face Backpack totting Anurag Kashyap reminded Spielberg of Peter Biskindrsquos book Easy Rider Raging Bulls that revolved around the brat-pack moviemaking idols of Kashyap ndash Coppola and Scorsese and Spielberg of course ldquoThe book stated

| INSIDER 30

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

that you were the kid of the gang How do you recall that timerdquo An outspoken Spielberg retorted ndash ldquoI really donrsquot like that bookrdquo - and went on to state how filmmakers should support each other and how he loved the directors mentioned in the book hoping someday a great book about those years would be written Then there were questions that belied the self-image of the questioning filmmaker Karan Joharrsquos proteacutegeacute Shakun Batra wanted to know whether Spielberg felt

the pressure to ape another filmmaker when he started out And Kunal Kohli wanted to know why Spielberg has not yet made a love story Spielberg replied that his life was one

The only intelligent questions came from Mr Bachchan and unexpectedly from Mrs Bachchan who as an actor wanted to know if Spielberg would not make a film because he could not find the right actor Finally Mr Ambani took the stage and in a veiled humble-brag asked Spielberg to share more about the making of

Lincoln ndash a film that was part-financed by Mr Ambani The session over it was time for the coveted photo-op and just like fans queue up on film sets for a picture with their favourite star Bollywoodrsquos high-and-mighty lined up for a preening group photo So much for a masterclass in filmmaking While for the filmmakers invited to the event it may have seemed like they have arrived with the level of engagement seen on ground we just wish that they had arrived more prepared for a talk than for a photograph

| INSIDER 31

Steven Spielberg with the filmmakers at the masterclass

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH CINEMA

Ranveer Singh talks about how Sonakshi Sinha taught him to be comfortable in his skin and what having a good physique means to him

Vanita DrsquoSouza

IS BACKL TERAOO

| CINEMA 32

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

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New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

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Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

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Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

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Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
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• 85-stocklist

| CINEMA 33

Ranveer Singh is about to set the screen on fire

with his latest films and his great physique which is evident from the first rushes of Ram Leela Ranveer says it is the result of a three month DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) programme ldquoItrsquos what Hrithik did for his film Agneepath Sanjay Leela Bhansali was very clear that he wanted me to look extremely hot He said lsquowhen you come on screen the girls

should either tear your clothes off or their ownrdquo

The actor who admits not working out for his character in Lootera because ldquothe film

is set in 1980 before the gym culturerdquo confesses that if you want people to look at you rdquoyou should have a physique worth looking atrdquo Perhaps thatrsquos why he takes his shirt off in many of his films Ranveer smiles ldquoWhen we were shooting for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl I asked Maneesh Sir what the exact date for the shirtless shot would be so that I could prepare for it in advance He turned around and told me lsquoTherersquos a one month shooting schedule in Goa when I could ask you to

remove your shirt at any pointrsquo So I prepared

hard and Irsquom happy that itrsquos

there on celluloid for posterityrdquo As far as his shirtless sequence in Ram Leela

goes Ranveer says ldquoWe were

doing a song when Bhansali Sir

saw my body and said lsquoLetrsquos do this shirtlessrsquo rdquo The

actor admits that his physique in Gunday was due to the director wanting him to have a certain kind of body for the action sequences ldquoHowever no one can compete with

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| CINEMA 34

Salman Khan who is my inspiration rdquo says Ranveer

Keeping fit therefore is something that this star is determined to work at ldquoI go to the gym twice a day and I have a lot of protein shakes But sometimes itrsquos hard to diet ndash so you have to be determined not to cheatrdquo says Ranveer who feels Hrithik Roshan has an outstanding body

With all the exciting roles that are coming his way Ranveer is working hard to try and make the same impact as he did in Band Baaja Baaraat where he spoke Harayanvi For Ram Leela he had to learn Gujarati ldquoI went to Gujarat and picked up Gujarati in four or five daysrsquorsquo he says

The actor whorsquos romanced several glamorous actresses including Anushka Deepika Parineeti and Sonakshi says that hersquos enjoyed working with all of them as ldquoeverybody has a different chemistry and temperamentrdquo Sonakshi Sinha he says taught him how to be comfortable in his skin And about Anushka Sharma the girl he was linked

to the longest Ranveer confesses that their relationship matured after Band Baaja Baaraat ldquoOur relationship was better in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl During

are very different She is very spontaneous and I like to rehearse So by the time we worked in Ladies Vs

Band Baaja Baaraat we were exploring each other as artistes At times there used to be a conflict because our approaches to acting

Ricky Bahl we were very comfortable with each other and we worked in perfect harmonyrdquo

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH CINEMA

HI MMA T WALISouth siren Tamannaah Bhatia outlines her ground rules for working in Bollywood

Lipika Varma

| CINEMA 35

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

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T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

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85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
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• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
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• 85-stocklist

| CINEMA 36

Tamannaah Bhatia who is cast opposite Ajay Devgan in Himmatwala says she was a kid when she debuted in the

Bollywood film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra in 2005 ldquoButrdquo as she admits ldquoI received such good offers from Tollywood that I opted to work there However the offer from Vashu Bhagnani was too good to refuse so I came back to Bollywood after a hiatus of eight yearsrdquo

Asked about comparisons with the original Himmatwala that had Sridevi in the lead Tamannaah replies ldquoSajid [Khan] who has written the film has been its guiding force But having said that the characters are different in this remake which has been my

best break Ajay is a street fighter for one and as far as equating me with Sri mdash I could never come close to her calibrerdquo

Talking about the fact that shersquos acted in a lot of remakes mdash the Tamil remake Kandean Kadhalai from Imitiaz Alirsquos Jab We Met the Tamil remake Siruthai from SS Rajamoulirsquos Vikramakudu and now the Hindi remake of the film Himmatwala mdash Tamannaah says ldquoIt was not planned I donrsquot want to be tagged a remake queen

As an actor you want to try and do all kinds of movies and get into all kinds of roles Since a role has been done by someone earlier there is a lot of emphasis

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

on trying to do it differently and that is what I try and instinctively followrdquo

Tamannaah says she avoids doing steamy scenes ldquoI have worked with stars like Surya Vijay NTR Junior and Ram Charan I have my boundaries and I am not bothered about the consequences I will not wear a bikini and I will not do kissing scenes I will continue to do what Irsquom comfortable withrdquo

Working in any language does not pose a problem for Tamannaah ldquoI am a greedy actorrsquorsquo she confesses adding ldquoIrsquove always wanted to act But I believe acting is a universal profession We should all be open to doing films from Tollywood Hollywood or Bollywood For us itrsquos the kind of films we do that matterrdquo

When questioned about her concept of love the actress saysrdquo It has to be perfect crazy and passionate I have been through puppy love in school mdash it was my friendrsquos brotherrdquo And as for the future Tamannaah says that her next film is with Akshay Kumar and is being produced by Tips ldquoBut I havenrsquot made an official announcement as yet because I have a lot of scripts to read and a lot of offers So Irsquom taking my time before making any statementrdquo she says

| CINEMA 37

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

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Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

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Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH PEOPLE

Asmita Aggarwal

TO THE MANOR BORNldquoI am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo admits Karisma Kapoor as she talks about multi-tasking motherhood and family ties

| PEOPLE 38

Imag

e S

anja

y G

upta

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| PEOPLE 39

Dressed in an all black Burberry bodycon dress ndash her favourite label

Lolo looks almost gaunt Her once sparkling eyes seem to have lost their shine and she tries to remain stoic amidst raging rumours of a break-up in the offing with husband Sanjay Kapur Sanjay says the grapevine is dating hotelier Vikram Chatwalrsquos ex-wife and socialite Priya ndash better-known in Delhirsquos social circles as the `woman with skyscraper heelsrsquo

Karisma steers the conversation towards how she is concentrating on being a lsquogood momrsquo ldquoBeing a mother is the most important role in my life right now I love watching Kiaan Raj and Samaira growrdquo she smiles Interestingly Lolo admits she lost 25 kg after each baby just by regular exercise and a healthy diet ldquoI enjoy a hearty meal and I have a sweet tooth too but I know when to stop how to detox and when to say lsquoenoughrsquo And let me tell you a secret therersquos nothing better than walking ndash it tones you up and strengthens your musclesrdquo she saysWith sister Bebo

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

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Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| PEOPLE 40

Being the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor Karisma admits that people would often wait for her to fall flat on her face as they assumed shersquod had an easy ride into filmdom ldquoSo I had to work doubly hard Then came marriage and now kids I must admit that each phase has been beautiful I am where I am due to sheer hard work commitment and dedication I havenrsquot forgotten my Sarkailo khatiyaa days with Govindardquo she laughs

In her journey to the top Lolo says the two people she could depend on were her mom Babita and her sister Bebo ldquoI learnt the fine art of balancing home and career from my mother and I must admit Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie have been an inspiration Irsquove coined an acronym for the word lsquoMOMrsquo ndash master of multi-taskingrdquo she grins

Lolo is a doting sister ldquoThere were just the three of us

growing up ndash mom me and Bebo so we became inseparable We saw many troubled days but that only brought us closer We share an invisible intangible bondrdquo And as far as her brother-in-law is concerned she says ldquoSaif has a lot of tehzeeb (culture) ndash he knows how to treat a woman Bebo and he

make a great couple I wish them many years of happinessrdquo

Alternating between Delhi and Mumbai Karisma wishes she was closer to mother Babita ldquoShe taught us never to cow down or be afraid of

situations if things were not going the way wersquod planned Without her support I would never have acted in films experimented with new-age cinema or taken bold and sometimes incredible risks I hope to imbibe the same belief in my kidsrdquo she adds

Waiting to resuscitate her career after the Vikram Bhatt flop Dangerous Ishq Karisma is hoping for meaty roles but is in no hurry to take any offer that comes her way ldquoIrsquove seen the highs and lows in Bollywood you have no friends there I am no longer in any race I did offbeat films like Zubeida and Fiza when art house cinema was not touched

by commercial actors So I will follow my gut and say yes to roles that donrsquot interfere with my time with my kids or take me on long shoots away from home I am not chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow anymorerdquo she concludes

With son Kiaan Raj and daughter Samaira

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Abhishek Kapoor talks about the success of Kai Po Che and how acting is still unfinished business

Tushar A Amin

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 41

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| CINEMA 42

There must have been tremendous pressure on you to succeed As things played out you happened to be a late bloomer What would you say to your detractorsYou have to really believe in yourself and your dreams Early failure can end all the positivity ndash itrsquos a dark space where you can experience hell My family has risen beyond the call of duty to keep the ground from sinking beneath my feet Add to this friends and peers at work whorsquove stood by me and never been judgmental

Do you feel that new filmmakers should expose their

audiences to their own darker sides through the films they create

A filmmaker owes responsibility only to his idea The idea forms the soul from which a narrative is fleshed out One has to express this idea the way one knows best I may choose to draw from real-life incidents or situations which form a contextual backdrop but thatrsquos where my part ends Thinking

viewers can take this in directions that I have no control over And

thatrsquos fine ndash after all you may not like what

yoursquore doing at times but you must

remain faithful to the cause yoursquove signed up for

Is it a conscious decision to work with non-starsThere is no deliberate play at work here A film should get the actors it deserves Therersquos the narrowest window of opportunity when all the essential elements that are involved in crafting a film come together The best choices then emerge and individual paths slide seamlessly into the filmrsquos own Thatrsquos my style of functioning I am aware itrsquos completely contrary to the popular method of securing star dates first ndash then developing an idea tailor-made for that star then choosing technicians etc Nowhere else in the world is this system followed except in India We would not be having this chat if I had toed a career path that followed the popular bandwagon

Now that yoursquove firmly established yourself as a successful director is the acting bug still alive in you The quality of roles and

opportunities for actors today is

leagues ahead of what it

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

was when I started out as an actor My personal journey from actor to writer-filmmaker has exposed me to experiences across the spectrum Irsquove seen the highs and the lows and to translate that learning onto real characters on screen would be incredible So yes Irsquom not done with acting ndash itrsquos still unfinished business

You had said in an interview that you would give marriage a thought after the release of Kai Po Che Has Pragya taken you up on that statementPragya is an old soul and to me thatrsquos the most endearing quality about her She has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years which stems from an inherent calm and innocence of spirit Shersquos been an integral part of my life all through the Kai Po Che experience Wersquore both taking steps to explore each otherrsquos worlds and so far itrsquos been a breeze

Do you travel and take time outI am a veritable wanderer I journey deep within myself during the making of a film and

observe the world around me when Irsquom not Once my professional commitments are over I take off on an extended vacation across Europe In the interim Irsquom going to Goa for some lsquomersquo time

Should we expect another `friendshiprsquo movie from you to

complete a trilogy of sorts I would be surprised if that happens ndash itrsquos a great idea though Seriously speaking I am looking to explore a genre I havenrsquot pursued before Comedy romance biopic ndash you name it and itrsquos there lurking in the recesses of my mind and hopefully onto the pages of a script in progress When this happens some buzz is bound to spread Till then

the drawing board is where itrsquos all at

| CINEMA 43

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH CINEMA

| CINEMA 44

Aditi Rao Hydari talks about her blue-blooded lineage her introduction to Hindi films and her passion for dance

Tushar A Amin

PrincessDiaries

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

In an industry where playing the central character is the only way to get noticed Aditi Rao Hydari has managed the

impossible From acting in supporting roles in Delhi 6 and Rockstar to taking centre-stage in London Paris New York and Murder 3 this petite beauty has impressed audiences with her performances Herersquos looking at what makes this exotic lady tick

You have a dual surname - Rao and Hydari - any reason(Laughs) The Rao is from my motherrsquos side while Hydari is my fatherrsquos surname My great-grandfather was the Nizamrsquos prime minister and my maternal grandfather was the Raja of Wannaparthy in Andhra Pradesh My great grandmother started a school for women and my great grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Osmania University and Doon School As you can imagine a lot of emphasis was laid on education But both my parents encouraged me to shape my own journey My family and its values have been my strength and I am really proud of my blue-blooded lineage

Was there a resistance to you working in filmsAbsolutely not My family is very progressive and liberal Arts and culture are considered sacred Naturally acting and films were never looked down upon

Did you grow up watching films and wanting to be in the industryI did not watch Hindi films growing up I only started watching movies around the time

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge released I remember

the first Hindi film I saw was Amar Akbar

Diaries

| CINEMA 45

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

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Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
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• 85-stocklist

Anthony and I was completely transfixed My neighbours listened to old Hindi songs so I used to sing them around my mother who wanted me to train professionally as a singer But I had set my heart on dancing So there was that little heroine keeda (insect) in me right from my childhood

When did films happenI got my first movie break because I could dance I started training under Leela Samson from the age of five Subsequently it was when I was performing that the director of my first film spotted me They were looking for someone who resembled Shobhana When the film was first offered to me I actually said no ndash dancing is one thing but I was not sure whether I would be able to act It was my mom who persuaded me to give it a shot And I am so glad she did I love being in front of the camera and Irsquove felt comfortable about this from day one

With films like Murder 3 and Akshay Kumarrsquos next masala entertainer Naam Hai Bosshellip is there a pressure to be part of such films as wellI am doing them because I want to do them not because of any pressure I have always enjoyed commercial cinema All my films were commercial Even the most independent of the films I have done Yeh Saali Zindagi was a commercial success I donrsquot make those distinctions I am only interested in being part of good stories I love naach gaana and looking prettyhellip it is part of being an actor Has dance taken a backseat nowI am a dancer and I always will be Dancing needs complete commitment ndash It is something

you have to do with all your heart and honesty Though I devote all my time to acting now I believe dance has played an important part in my acting I did not train as an actor So what I had learned as a dancer especially emoting with my eyes and things like that helped me a lot

How is life for you beyond filmsI have my dancing music and yoga Irsquod love to travel but I donrsquot have time I love shopping for clothes I am not too tight-fisted nor am I a spendthrift I am a complete foodie I donrsquot get to spend as much time with my friends So I go out and meet them whenever I can My mum lives in Delhi I grew up with her as my parents are divorced Every time I have a couple of days free I rush to Delhi to be with her

When it comes to films what legacy would you like to leaveAt the risk of sounding vain I will share this with you as it was one of the best compliments I have received Bhatt (Mahesh) sahib told me that I was the 21st century Nutan I want to live up to that compliment and do it my way You could have somebodyrsquos soul but you have to be yourself

| CINEMA 46

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Is Saifrsquos TattoolsquoDyersquoing

NOTCH INSIDER

| INSIDER 47

His declaration of love by inking Kareenarsquos name permanently set off a nation-wide trend and Saif was declared

Majnu No 1 by the masses Sanjay Dutt Pratiek Babbar and several others followed suit but it was the Chote Nawabrsquos amateurish but undeniably large tattoo that set him apart And even when he was in character the actor didnrsquot allow any tampering or masking of his lady loversquos name

However post marriage when people claim the ardor of courtship starts to fade we noticed something else fadingSaifursquos tattoo Check out these pics of the actor with co-starSonakshi Sinha taken at the Mumbai Airport We couldnrsquot spot the giant name stamp One has heard rumours that the tatt was a result of dye and not the needle but who are we to judge The mysterious disappearance is definitely a case for Agent Vinod donrsquot you think

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Tired of playing the lsquoearnest womanrsquo Konkona Sen Sharma is awaiting the release of Ek Thi Daayan a

film in one of her favourite genres

GreyMatter

NOTCH PEOPLE

Arpita Chatterjee

| PEOPLE 48

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Known as the lsquothinking manrsquosrsquo heroine Konkona Sen Sharma

says shersquod like to do something different ldquoI would love to do a biopic That would be excitingrdquo The darling of the critics Konkona is now tired of playing ndash as she puts it ndash the lsquoearnest womanrsquo ldquoI want to play a character that is twisted or has shades of grey One that has layers of good and evilrdquo

So what about her mid-April release Ek Thi Daayan a horror thriller

with mainstream actor Emraan Hashmi ldquoI just had a couple of scenes with him but he struck me as an extremely chivalrous personrsquorsquo she says adding

ldquoI love watching horror films I think itrsquos really exciting that Ek Thi Daayan brings forward a popular Indian supernatural cult figure the daayan (witch) The other great thing about doing a mainstream film like this is that they have a budget for marketing In fact to promote Ek Thi Daayan the

producers are even doing a TV show called Ek Thi Nayika where all of us make cameo appearances as daayans in itrdquo

The actress who seems to be the perfect candidate for crossover films or international projects says ruefully ldquoI was offered both The Namesake and Life of Pi But when I was offered Namesake I was already shooting 15 Park Avenue And when I was offered Life of Pi Haroon had just been bornrdquo Both roles later went to Tabu

| PEOPLE 49

Kalki Emraan Huma and Konkona at a promotional event

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Motherhood and being an actor donrsquot often go hand-in-hand though Konkona seems to have managed both with aplomb ldquoI think most working mothers have it far harder I did five films after Haroon turned one Three were Bengali out of which one was my motherrsquos film Working in my motherrsquos films is always easier because I have the home set-up to support me Then I did Shesher Kobita and finally Goutam Ghoshrsquos Shunyo Awnko I signed films which did not have very demanding schedules Ranvir my husband has always been supportive of my career and when I had to shoot in the interiors of Purulia for Shunyo Awnko where there was very little infrastructure I left Haroon with himrdquo

The actress whorsquos played a diverse number of roles says that she always wanted to do a period film ldquoI got an opportunity to do this in Iti Mrinalini which is based in 1970rdquo she smiles

A huge movie buff

Konkonarsquos favourite co-star is Irrfan Khan ldquowho I shared screen time with in Dil Kabaddi and Life in a Metro Hersquos such a giving actor in terms of performancerdquo And her favourite directors are Steven Soderbergh Wes Anderson Raju Hirani and Dibakar Banerjee

| PEOPLE 50

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH FOOD

| FOOD 51

Bijoy Bharathan

EAT PRAYLOVE

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna talks about his love for vegetarian fare cooking for Obama and living up to his lsquohottest chefrsquo title

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| food 52

The people who know Chef Vikas Khanna are an eclectic lot ndash the list would include anyone from Amitabh

Bachchan to US President Barack Obama The Michelin starred chef and co-host of MasterChef India who has been anointed with titles like lsquoThe Hottest Chef in the Worldrsquo is however modest in his retort ndash he calls himself a simple bawarchi (cook) from Amritsar whom destiny took to New York so that he could cook for the world

Cooking for the first coupleWhen I cooked for President Obamarsquos fundraiser I planned a meal that revolved around Himalayan cuisine The first dish was the simple Bhutanese Ema Dashi ndash a mixture of chillies and cheese

Grannyrsquos green cornerIrsquove always had a soft corner for veggies My grandmother and mother had never tasted meat in their lives but their love for the family was greater than their own beliefs ndash and so they cooked the best meat dishes My grandmother would always tell me that vegetables were very important for the spiritual growth of the mind and that food was all about peace

Dal kamaalThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call humble

Smokinrsquo hot chefI am certainly not the `hottestrsquo chef Sure I cook the hottest cuisine ndash Indian I am

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| food 53

ldquoThe irreplaceable dal for me is a cultural reference point of comfort identity and love When you are raised in a middle class

family itrsquos hard to ignore these little foods that we call

humblerdquo

disciplined about my diet and my exercise regime I never eat late I donrsquot touch alcohol or cigarettes and I work out regularly

Taste versus healthI donrsquot think staying healthy comes at the cost of foregoing delicious food We substitute a lot dishes with half and half or use yogurt instead of heavy cream You could use better quality oil instead of butterdesi ghee

Fusion frenzyI have immense respect for chefs who create fusion and intermingling cuisines Personally I love it Indiarsquos Michelin dream I think itrsquos just a matter of time before Indiarsquos Michelin dream becomes a reality

Forgive my sinsI sometimes binge on Chocolate Mousse with Mixed Berries (a recipe from Khanna Sutra) I run two extra miles when I eat it ndash but itrsquos worth it

Far from the madding crowdI love working out swimming reading shooting pictures listening to music sculpting writing travelling and of course eating

The way to onersquos heartMy documentary series Holy Kitchens is based on the link between food and spirituality Food is the essence of togetherness and love and sharing is the most important quality that we learn during any culinary exercise

| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
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• 11-15-cover
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• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
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• 68-69-hair
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| food 54

Avocado Soup with Spicy Salsa Method

Quarter and seed the tomato Dice and transfer it to a bowl Stir in half of the chopped onions cilantro Serrano chilli salt and half the lime juice Cover the bowl and put it into the refrigerator

In a large non-reactive mixing bowl toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice until evenly coated

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat and add the remaining onions and garlic and sauteacute Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent

Add salt avocados and stock Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes

Remove from heat and pureacutee in a blender adding more stock if the mixture is too thick

Refrigerate and serve chilled topped with tomato salsa

Ingredients1 vine-ripened red tomato 1 large red onion finely chopped2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro1 fresh Serrano or jalapentildeo chilli seeded and chopped Juice of 2 limes4 ripe Haas avocados peeled pitted and cut into chunks2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart vegetable stock more if requiredSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| food 55

Cedar-Wrapped Fresh Tilapia with Nutmeg

MethodSoak the cedar papers in water for at least 15 minutes

Drizzle the olive oil over the tilapia fillets and season with salt and lemon juice Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes

In a medium mixing bowl combine the rest of the ingredients and season with salt

Place the cedar papers on a flat surface and place the marinated fillets over each paper Evenly distribute all ingredients down the middle Fold the paper and close securing with a metal paper clip or heat-resistant band

Preheat the oven to 350ordm F

Place the filled paper on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fillets are cooked

Ingredients4 cedar grilling paper4 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 lemon1 tomato chopped 1 clove garlic minced frac12 green pepper coarsely chopped2 shallots coarsely chopped1 teaspoon chilli flakes8 slices lime1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmegSalt to taste

(Serves 4)

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| food 56

Mint-Chilli Hot Chocolate Milk

MethodCombine milk mint sprigs and cinnamon in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to high heat Remove from heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes covered

Strain to remove cinnamon and mint sprigs

Return milk to saucepan and place over medium heat Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy

Serve immediately sprinkled with chilli flakes

Ingredients4 cups milk 3 sprigs fresh mint 1 (1-inch) piece cinnamon stick10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate cut into small pieces1 teaspoon chilli flakes

(Serves 4)

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

ldquoIf you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday destination is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerlandrsquorsquo says Kareena Kapoor as she talks abouther favourite vacation spots

Manash Kamad

ROMANCING

The Alps

NOTCH TRAVEL

| TRAVEL 57

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| TRAVEL 58

Tranquillity for Kareena Kapoor is associated with the AlpsldquoItrsquos the snow It keeps my mind off everything else and brings me a lot of

peacerdquo she exclaims And the pretty Begum of Pataudi did not take long to romance these snow clad mountains during her many trips to Europe mdash Switzerland in particular mdash with beau and now husband Saif Ali Khan

Kareena explains that she chooses to relax under the shadow of these mighty mountains at least once if not twice a year ldquoI go to Switzerland after my shoots and before the promos of my forthcoming filmsrdquo explains Kareena But the stints in Switzerland have been showing on her figure ldquoI do put on weight simply because I eat a lot of cheese chocolate and fondue To top it all I also become a midnight snackerrdquo she admits

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| TRAVEL 59

So apart from the mountains where else does she like to holiday ldquoI enjoy being on the beach Irsquod love to go to Greece Barcelona or even Phuket But if you hold a gun to my head and ask me which my top holiday location is then itrsquos easily Gstaad in Switzerland Itrsquos pure bliss and I love returning hererdquo she admits

We hear that the Nawab of Pataudi enjoys living at the Gstaad Palace and that the couple stayed here on their honeymoon as well The hotel has lovely mountain views and there are a multitude of activities close by mdash golf heli-skiing and even hot air ballooning There is live entertainment at two bars and one also has the option of going dancing at the famous Green Go nightclub

Kareena hints at wanting to own a home here ndash ldquoit would be a great idea to have onersquos own place where we could go and live for a few days every yearrdquo she says And if her wish were to come true Saifeena may well be the first Bollywood celebrity couple to own a place in Switzerland

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH DESIGN

| DESIGN 61

Asmita Aggarwal

SILVER LININGVeteran fashionista Adarsh Gill takes us on a walkthrough of her beautiful home that blends a western sense with an eastern sensibility

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| DESIGN 62

As a young divorced woman in the US way back in the 70s

Adarsh Gill was not sure if she could make India her home again ndash she had already established her credentials with her Western wear label Saz and was as she says creating embroideries for Oscar de La Renta ldquoat his requestrsquorsquo Her first showing at the Raffles Club New York in 1972 got half-page coverage in The New York Times ldquoA lot of people take credit for launching the pre-stitched sari but I did it way back in the 70s I even gave Francois Lesage my

competitor in embroideries a hard timerdquo she laughsSo to give up her hectic life in New York where she worked from a studio in Madison Square Park in the vicinity of greats like Calvin

Klein Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan for a quiet life back home was a decision made after much thought Today Adarsh lives in the VIP area of the capital ndash 3

Rajesh Pilot Marg in a half-acre property set on well-manicured lawns As you enter the luxurious living room done in the art deco style of the 30s Adarsh explains ldquoThere are bits of

French and colonial influences here too but I make sure everything blends perfectly togetherrdquo

The Wedgewood blue living room says Adarsh ldquois a colour

that lifts my moodrdquo Antique chandeliers that Adarsh sourced from her various trips abroad a delightful fireplace and lots of mirrors add to the

ldquoAll the silver furniture has been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth itrdquo

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| DESIGN 63

roomrsquos elegant appearance Adarshrsquos impressive collection of silver artefacts that she painstakingly designed herself and had made in Jaipur give the rooms in the house a touch of class ldquoAll the avant-garde carved silver furniture has also been designed by me It took forever to make but it was worth the waitrdquo she says

Adarsh admits that she changes the look in the house frequently depending on her mood ndash one day you may see florals which change to plain brocades after a few months ldquoI donrsquot like the busy French look but now you do get brocades in non-shiny pastels with minimalistic designs that are easy on the eye and look good on upholsteryrdquo she says

Adarsh loves art and the pieces she invested in 20 years ago are priceless today ndash like the three small Francis Newton Souzarsquos ldquoI never knew the value of a Souza would increase 10 times over I also have a beautiful Satish Gujral done when he was a young struggling artist I particularly like Kolkata artist Vasundhra Tiwari and of course Chaganlal who paints on masonite I also have some

work by Ghulam Rasool Santosh ndash his Cubanistic landscapes and tantra-inspired philosophy ndash and a few antique thangkas (Tibetan art) which add a certain serenity to my houserdquo she explains

Adarshrsquos bedroom is done up in purple and is home to a four-poster antique bed that she sourced from Kolkata It also houses a library that has an incredible collection of books on fashion some 30-years-old Adarsh points

out that she is ldquoquite a collectorrsquorsquo and that her collection includes old French enamel pieces and Ming dynasty vases from ChinaBut as she explains rdquoThe key to good living is how you can innovatively merge diverse cultures without anything looking jarring So it is art I believe to combine polka dot curtains with stripes for example but you must know how to do it artisticallyrdquo And Adarshrsquos elegant home certainly proves her artistry

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Actor Evelyn Sharma shares her coconut-based beauty secrets that keep her looking stunning

nutsover

Coconut

NOTCH beauty

| beauty 64

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Coconut| beauty 65

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Maintain a daily skincare ritual To keep your skin looking healthy a good cleansing toning and moisturising routine twice a day is essential Start the cleansing process using a natural cleanser Follow this with toning so that your skin is kept hydrated The last and possibly most important thing is to moisturise your skin Coconut-based moisturisers are best ndash coconut contains properties that are similar to body oils ndash as they leave your skin nourished all day

Nourish your hair

Ensure that you nourish your hair with a coconut-based oil This will give it that naturally healthy soft and bouncy look I generally like to keep my hair pulled back in

Watch what you eat

Add lots of fruits green vegetables and food rich in fibre to your diet Apart from maintaining your weight this will also help in achieving a healthy skin I drink a lot of water as it keeps my skin hydrated and flushes the toxins out of the body Coconut provides quick energy and hydration

12

3| beauty 66

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Workout regularly

Exercise yoga and aerobics are great ways to de-stress and relax your muscles Exercise promotes circulation keeps you healthy and

vibrant and eases stress that can directly affect your skin

Take naturersquos help

Use natural ingredients for your skin like fruit-based moisturisers ndash these provide excellent nourishment Coconut-based products are fantastic as they really penetrate the skin making it soft and supple

4

5

Rest awhile

Last but not least take time out to relax Meditate Take 10 minutes to spend time with yourself away from the hustle and bustle of life This will help to keep you feeling calm Sleep is a free cosmetic medicine and very essential for a healthy skin Without a good nightrsquos sleep we begin to look tired and our skin is the first to show it 6

| beauty 67

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

Well known beauty expert Shahnaz Husain gives you tips on how to control frizzy hair this summer

OperatorSmooth

Tips for Frizzy Hair

NOTCH BEAUTY

| BEAUTY 68

Put two drops of any light vegetable oil like sunflower oil onto your palms and rub them lightly together so that the oil spreads across both palms Smooth your palms over your hair Or take the ends of your hair into your palms and scrunch it Leave the oil on

1

5

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| BEAUTY 69

Mix some water into a little creamy hair conditioner and spray this mixture onto your hair Comb your hair so that the solution spreads evenly

2

Have a deep conditioning treatment once a week before you shampoo Mix together one egg one tablespoon of castor oil the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of pure glycerine or honey Apply this mixture onto your hair Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the solution on for an hour Alternatively mix one egg to one tablespoon of mayonnaise and one teaspoon of olive oil Apply this paste onto your hair Leave on for half-an-hour before washing off

3

After you shampoo wrap a towel around your head and let it soak up the water Avoid rubbing

4

If you use a hair dryer use a big round brush Divide your hair into sections Pin these up and dry one section at a time Blow in a downward direction Using the dryer directly over your hair can cause more frizz

5

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH WELLNESS

| WELLNESS 70

Sonal Chauhan tells us how a fruit diet helped her transform into a curvaceous bombshell in her latest film

The fruit of FITNESS

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| WELLNESS 71

Sonal Chauhan could be termed as the archetypal girl-next door At least thatrsquos

what she looked like when she made her debut in the Emraan Hashmi starrer Jannat But her latest release has taken everyone by surprise as she flaunted a hot bikini bod in 3G Her transition from plain Jane to bombshell took quite the effort as Sonal goes on to tell us ldquoI was told by my dietician to go on a strict diet of fruits Being the foodie that I am it was all the more daunting to stick to a dietrdquo

Sonalrsquos dietician threw most of her favourite foods right out of the window ldquoI had to give up on

Selecting your fruits

Depending on your nutritional requirements you can choose fruits that

offer varying types of nourishment

Pineapple Is a great source of vitamins and calcium and is also good for detoxingApples Loaded with vitamins and helps reduce the risk of cancer (colon prostate and lung)Mangoes Contains potassium and is an anti-oxidantBananas Contain vitamins and potassium and is a great source of instant energy

Papaya High in fibre and minerals itrsquos also an anti-oxidant

Oranges Are full of Vitamin C help in digestion and detoxing

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| bEauty 72

white rice fried chicken desserts and chocolates I went on a pineapple diet where I was allowed to eat just that one fruit every day subject to many restrictionsrdquo she says Apart from the diet Sonal also took to a disciplined exercise regimen ldquoI did yoga and spent two hours working out in the gym every eveningrdquo

Her struggles seemed to have paid off as she looks ravishing in the film Believe it or not she tried over 50 swimsuits before she settled for a Shivan amp Narresh bikini

Daily intake (Alternate fruits every day)

Breakfast Two ripe bananas 1 mango 1 serving of grapes

Mid-day snack Half apple bunch of grapes 1 orange2 small guavas

Lunch Half apple1 orange 1 mango 1 banana

Mid evening snack 1 orange 1 guava 1 banana 1 serving of grapes

Dinner 1 slice of water melon papaya carrots pineapple

Disclaimer Fruit diets are meant to be carried out only for a limited amount of time to aid detoxing and cleansing Please check with a registered medical practitioner before embarking on any diet or weight-loss programme

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

NOTCH PEOPLE

``I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he wonders why a lot of Indian men still want their wives to play the traditional role at home

Yagna Balaji

| PEOPLE 73

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| PEOPLE 74

SCROLL

Have you seen my little girl Lijin show her the pictures of mygirlfriendrdquo As the pictures of a

feisty 14-year-old are taken out by Lord Jeffrey Archerrsquos buddy and Man Friday Lijin Thomas of Landmark ndash the authorrsquos constant companion on all his India tours ndash you can see the novelist almost bristle with pride The little girl is an author of a book published when she was just 12 ldquoI love girls Irsquove always wanted daughters and after that granddaughters but instead I have sons and now a grandsonrdquo Lord Archer grumbles

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself This best-selling author is a feminist

ldquoIndians are a very complicated race but Irsquom absolutely fascinated by the women I met an intelligent and attractive young girl who came to interview me We got talking and she

told me she couldnrsquot find a boyfriend because whenever she met a man his parents disapproved They wanted someone who could cook clean and have babies Frankly I couldnrsquot understand why anyone would not be proud to be with herrdquo

ldquoIf yoursquore a capable woman why should you have to do the cooking questions a visibly distressed Lord Archer ldquoMy wife Mary doesnrsquot even

On a tour of India to promote the third instalment ndash Best Kept Secret ndash of his epic series The Clifton Chronicles Jeffrey Archer reveals a less-known side of himself

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

know where the kitchen is I am emancipated enough to understand this and Irsquom not concerned about how the next meal is being prepared Itrsquos a very stupid man who will not allow a woman to reach her destiny and do her thing because of some antiquated custom thatrsquos been passed downrdquothunders the writer

Lord Archer seems to soften as he rationalise the situation but canrsquot help draw parallels with his own marriage to the beautiful Dame Mary Archer a scientist specialising in solar power conversion ldquoI realise itrsquos easier for a man to have a more balanced equation between his career and personal life But Mary was uncompromising about wanting to pursue her career You wonrsquot believe this but we planned to have children in the holidays and Mary was back at work just two weeks laterrdquo

A consummate storyteller Jeffrey Archer reveals in Bollywood style thathis commitment to supporting his wife came from a promise he made toher father on his deathbed ldquoHer father smoked too much and was dyingof cancer He asked me to promise him only one thing lsquoNo matter howbig you become you will never stop Mary from doing what she wantstorsquo and Irsquove kept that promise all my liferdquo

And his advice to women looking for life partners ldquoI have real empathy for Indian women and the problems they are going through They canrsquot pretend they are not good at what they do and why should they Women are waking up to their potential so these women will have to marry men who understand that and can live with it I treat women as equals if not superiorsrdquo says his Lordship who pauses before he whispers ldquoAnd my secret I make them laughrdquo

| PEOPLE 75

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

WORD UPWondering what to read Herersquos a selection of some of the

e-books making waves in the subcontinent

Publisher Penguin Books India

In a classic case of mistaken identity wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani were kidnapped one night from their home at the edge of the Bandipur National Park by Veerappan Indiarsquos most dreaded bandit He thought they were important government officials and his plan was to hold them hostage in return for clemency and a substantial ransom The hostagesrsquo life on the run gave them an insight into Veerappanrsquos strange mix of cruelty and humanity Gradually the kidnapped and the kidnappers became closely involved in each otherrsquos concerns Witty and poignant the story details their extraordinary adventure with the notorious poacher and his companions

| LIT 76

NOTCH LIT

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| LIT 77

Publisher Westland Limited

Yasmin Rafi grew up as an ardent fan of Mohammed Rafi ndash little knowing that she would one day marry his son Khalid This transition from fan to family led to this heart warming memoir of Rafi He was an icon to the world but for his family he was a simple caring and loving man who delighted as much in good food flying kites with his children and driving his parrot-green Fiat through the streets of Mumbai as he did in the numerous awards that came his way Five years ago Yasmin was inspired to pen this book on her legendary fatherndashin-law as a gift to her family and millions of his fans

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| LIT 78

Publisher Harper Collins India

Saraswati is librarian and collector of curious facts who dies among her beloved books on a Thursday evening But her spirit is free to hover around and watch over all she holds dear ndash until her body is discovered three days later Through this narrative journalist-turned-writer Pinki Virani examines the crisis which underlies the faccedilade of progressive modernity that is present-day India through a set of characters you may have met If not directly then through the six degrees of separation that binds together this story of a life-changing weekend

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| LIT 79

Publisher Random House India

Journalist and author Sudha Menon brings forth a rare collection of personal letters from Indiarsquos most prominent personalities including Narayana Murthy Chanda Kochhar Kishore Biyani and Prakash Padukone among others sharing with us some of their most intimate experiences and profound insights on life with their daughters Through their fearless approach to life love and overcoming obstacles these icons from the world of business arts films food and sports share with us their experience and wisdom as they pass them on to their daughters

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| VARIETY 80

NOTCH TAROT

DatewithestinyAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

(November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)

Virgo(August 23 - September 22)

(December 22 - January 19)

Capricorn

Gemini(May 21 - June 20)

Libra(September 23 - October 22)

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius

Cancer(June 21 - July 22)

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21)

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

BACK

Tarot reader Sheetal Dewan is a gifted psychic whose intuitive predictions have guided several celebs and industrialists

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| VARIETY 81

AriesAries

(March 21 - April 19)

Gemini

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20)

Taurus

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Leo Tolstoy once said ldquoEveryone thinks of changing the world but

no one thinks of changing himselfrdquo Dear Aries this month you will have to be the change that you wish to see in the environment Itrsquos all about executing those little ideas that yoursquove held to yourself for so long ndash once you do abundance will flow effortlessly Arians who have wanted to change their jobs will find new avenues to explore ndash the 15th to the 23rd indicates this Since Mars is governing you at the moment your ambitious nature will allow you to look at opportunities in a determined fashion Your success this month depends on your communication skills and your powers of observation Children who are looking at further studies should explore options abroad

Confucius said that our greatest glory lies not in falling but in rising every

time we fall Itrsquos time you understand this as you dear Taurus are meant for greater things You tend to limit yourself because you are afraid So what if things donrsquot happen the way you planned The world will not judge you From the 2nd to the 13th you will be entering a period of change So make the most of it Look at new challenges and allow new business ideas to flow Venus is working her wonders on your chart due to which Taurians in business will be successful in starting new ventures in the fields of exports management hospitality and transport Professionals looking for new jobs should hold their horses ndash it will take the better half of the month to find something lucrative

It was once said that every experience in life that happens happens for the best ndash as it were destined to happen Well Gemini you are dualistic by nature there are times when you believe in destiny and

times when you disbelieve it completely This month you are required to first believe in yourself You are entering a phase which allows you undertake and execute opportunities successfully In business three things that are of utmost importance for you are knowledge power and timing There is travel in your chart which will open up a new avenue during the latter part of the month Do consider it seriously Professionals in the field of finance should spruce up their marketing skills Those in sales jobs should strengthen their communication abilities and those in creative fields must think out of the box this month

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| VARIETY 82

Cancer

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Virgo

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

Leo

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

Patience has always been a virtue you aspire for Moon Child Remember being

patient allows you to pay attention to the details you may have ignored This month is all about paying attention to those finer points From the 5th to the 27th you will enter a period that will require you to pay attention to minor details ndash this will help you attain appreciation and fame Endeavours that you thought had come to naught will now bear fruit and new avenues will open up Water is a great source of power rejuvenation and inspiration for you Artists musicians and editors will do brilliantly during this time If you are in business you may want to play some mind games in order to stay in the league Professions like mining public relations hospitality the occult sciences and psychology will be beneficial for you

Well Leo your imaginative nature practicality courage and excellent

leadership qualities allow you to take control of all the chaos that surrounds you This is not the easiest month as it denotes endings in relationships surrounding your professional life and new beginnings in your personal space Anna Eleanor Roosevelt once said ldquoDo one thing every day that scares yourdquo Leo you may just end up doing more than one of these things this month Please be cautious of misinterpretations amongst colleagues at work till the 10th Unnecessary speculation in stocks may create a dent in your bank account Those in a business space may find that their marketing skills are tested However this period proves fruitful for Leos who are interested in higher education finance research medicine and advertising If you are preparing for a competitive exam you will fare well

When we love we always strive to become better than we are When we strive to become better than we are everything around us becomes better toordquo Paulo Coelho wrote these

lines in The Alchemist and this is the story of your life dear Virgo You work best when you feel loved treasured and supported This month brings an ending to all those negative beliefs relationships identities and financial drainers that have served no purpose in your life A new dawn is arriving and itrsquos time you basked in its glory Professionals will increase their net worth There are new opportunities awaiting you in another field of work so feel free to explore this area Virgos who have wanted to shift to a new workspace will be able to do so In business stability is assured as you are entering a period of recovery Impromptu travel will bring far more work your way

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| VARIETY 83

Scorpio

Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius

SagittariusD

ear Scorpio you have an extremely strong personality and you are

full of courage pride ambition envy great passion and the ability to dream Your dreams are important to you as they are made up of images memories and lost hopes being fulfilled This month itrsquos imperative that you allow yourself to rebuild a lost dream which should see fruition from the 17th to the 29th Donrsquot worry about the result ndash just act ndash the reaction of your actions will not only be financially and socially acceptable but also successful Scorpios in a professional space will make new contacts that in turn will open up new avenues of work for them Your job will entail travelling this month Finally donrsquot say no to any work that comes your way

Sagittarius within you resides a philosopher and a revolutionary due

to which you sometimes want to adapt to the world in its `boring shadesrsquo and at other times you want to change it to the way you imagine it should be However to a spectator it appears like you are struggling to do both This month will allow you to move forward in your career which will in turn allow you to aim higher and bring in the changes you so desire All you have to do is to take-off ndash please donrsquot sit on the runway and start dissecting the mechanics of the plan and the destination That simply wonrsquot do The time that you are meant to be air-borne is now Change your attitude in order to gain altitude

Libra

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)There are times when you are so confused that you are unable to make the decisions you want to You are scared of hurting people with your bluntness so you keep adding to the

confusion by asking various associates for advice Do yourself a favour and stop this upheaval and constant judgement Donrsquot ask Act Action will delineate and define you and your future From the 6th there will be a lot of decisions that you will have to make professionally with your partners and clients You should tread carefully in partnerships as miscalculations may create differences leading to endings Keep your paperwork up to date and donrsquot let anyone take you for a ride when it comes to your money The best professions for you are in banking chartered accountancy the entertainment business media and public relations

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

| VARIETY 84

(January 20 - February 18)Aquarius

Aquarius

(February 19 - March 20)Pisces

PiscesD

ear Aquarius you seem to have a personality that yearns to be in

control of everything that is happening in your personal and professional space You make plans and when they donrsquot happen the way you want them to you tire yourself out by constantly thinking of reasons as to why they didnrsquot work out This month certain spontaneous actions will take place in your personal space that will be profitable professionally You may not be able to control what occurs as it will crop up quite unexpectedly Just trust in the fact that there is a higher order working for you I understand that you want the answers to every equation on the planet but sometimes it pays to have a little faith

You are the last of the zodiac signs but you are also the most intelligent of them all

The fish that swim in opposite directions as depicted in your sign allow you not only to be imaginative kind and intuitive but also whimsical stubborn and erratic Itrsquos time you balanced all these attributes This is a transformational month for you ndash from the 13th to the 24th you enter a phase where you will shed your `old skinrsquo and shine in a new one So let go of old thoughts beliefs and baggage Professionals in the field of marketing merchandising and media should change their game plans if they want to survive in this competitive market Those in the service and agricultural industry will make certain large investments this month which should be beneficial A word of advice abstain from any form of gambling or speculation There is imminent loss predicted in these areas

(December 22 - January 19)Capricorn

Capricorn

Itrsquos strange that in this economic upheaval where the financial world is constantly collapsing and being reborn you my dear are even more intent on starting a new venture Your practical side

says otherwise but your intuition may win the day From the 15th to the 28th comes a period of power and financial opportunity that will allow you to start new ventures and stabilise existing businesses Professionals in the field of media the food business and export need to be tactful as payments could get delayed The possibility of shifting cities is also on the cards due to a new work opportunity Capricornians in the property market will manage to close pending deals and those working in consultancy and the stock market will increase their net worth

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist

STOC

KLIS

T Avinash Gowarikerwwwavinashgcom

HarperCollins Publishers IndiaA 53 Sector 57

Noida Uttar PradeshT +91 120 4044800

Jeffrey Archerwwwjeffreyarchercouk

Karol Bagh Saree Housewwwkbshonlinecom

Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd11 Community Centre Panchsheel Park

New Delhi- 110017T +91 11 26494401020507

Random House Publishers India Pvt LtdWindsor IT Park 7th Floor

Towerndash B Andash 1 Sectorndash 125Noidandash 201301 Uttar Pradesh

T +91 120 4607500F +91 120 4607518

E contactrandomhousecoin

Ritu Beri22A Ashoka Avenue

Sainik Farms INA colony Delhi- 110068T +91-11-29551751E wwwritubericom

Shehla KhanShop No 3A Suleman Chambers Ground Floor

Battery Street Colaba Mumbai ndash 400005 T +91-22-22876600

Shahnaz Husainwwwshahnazin

Vikas Khannawwwvkhannacom

Westland BooksVenkat Towers

Old No 307 (New No165) PH Road Maduravoyal

Chennai-600095

85

• credits-april
• Edit-April
• Content-april
• 1-3-Shela Khan
• 04-7-ashton
• 08-10-Sonia Gandhi
• 11-15-cover
• 16-17-insider-2
• 18-20-Abhishek Bachchan
• 21-23-Anupam kher
• 24-27-Ritu-beri
• 28-31-insider-3
• 32-34-Ranveer singh
• 35-37-Tamannaa
• 38-40-Karishma Kapoor
• 41-43-Abhishek kapoor
• 44-46-Aditi Rao
• 47-insider-1
• 48-50-Konkana
• 51-56-vikash
• 57-60-kareena
• 61-63-adarsh
• 64-67-Evelyn
• 68-69-hair
• 70-72-sonal
• 73-75-Jefrey
• 76-79-ebook-april
• 80-84-tarot-april
• 85-stocklist