Nagesh Kukunoor and Akshay Kumar team up but fail to thrill, writes Sneha May Francis
8x10 Tasveer
Rating **
In a nutshell
It is said that photographs capture a moment in time. This seems obvious, but it is the entire premise for Nagesh Kukunoor’s latest film 8x10 Tasveer. In it, the protagonist Jai (Akshay Kumar) has supernatural powers that allow him to mentally step into a photograph. It is this that helps him to solve the secret behind his dad’s fatal boating accident.
The tale
Jai has supernatural powers that help him travel back in time for a minute after a photograph is taken. An 8x10 photograph (tasveer) of his father Jatin Puri (Benjain Gilani) just before his death has Jai running from pillar to post to find the murderer. And the man can run: his athletic prowess is highlighted every few shots. He chases everyone and everything. His power is such that even the gigantic GMC Yukon is scared of a head-on collision with him!
Jai’s a forest officer who is so zealous in his work (to the point of jumping off cliffs to find clues on crimes against the environment), that he’s clearly not normal. So if that’s what Kukunoor wanted to tell us, he was successful.
Jai’s dad mouths a clue to his son just before he dies, suggesting wrongdoing. But it’s the eccentric cop ‘Happi, with an I’ (Jaaved Jaafri) who convinces him to look further. So begins the journey through the photograph taken by his mum (Sharmila Tagore) a minute before the accident.
The loopholes
^ We are told that all Jai needs to look into the past is an 8x10 photograph taken a minute before an incident occurs. The 8x10 size is stressed, to justify the title perhaps. But Kukunoor slips when introducing Jai’s unique power as he is seen reading the past through a mobile-phone picture. And it’s not an 8x10 mobile phone screen that Jai is peering into!
^ We do know that Jai’s lady love, Sheela Patel, played by the lovely Ayesha Takia, has a job, but what it is we don’t know, nor do we know how these two met.
^ Jai can only see a minute after a photograph is taken when looking into the past. So what would have happened if the photograph was taken 2 minutes before the murder? Pretty convenient, right?
^ The annoying cop Happi is obsessed with cleanliness but when he goes through files in his office, he rummages around without even wiping off the dust!
The lead acts
^ Jai: Aki looks dazed and his face is expressionless. His finest moment is when he mouths: ‘Everybody thinks I’m mad. Do you think I am?’ No comment.
^ Sheela: There’s nothing really in Ayesha Takia’s chubby-faced performance. Perhaps married life has made Takia dull.
Thumbs-up
^ Jaaved Jaafri is brilliant as Happi-with-an-I. But something falls short and we think the poor comic writing is to blame.
^ A good supporting cast – Anant Mahadevan, Sharmila Tagore, Girish Karnad, Benjamin Gilani. These artists’ controlled performances come with age and experience. They don’t falter. It’s only the length of their role and their poorly etched characters that let them down.
Thumbs down
^ For a thriller to work, it needs a tight script, crisp editing, eerie background music and slick special effects. But this film misses the mark on all of these.
^ The bad men are just not bad enough. There’s no sense of real anger or motive.
Track-ed
Aki lends his voice to the song at the end of the film. But after sitting through the movie we couldn’t bear to hear the man sing, so can’t really comment.
The turn-out
On a usually busy Thursday evening, and during the film’s opening night, the theatre was almost completely empty at the Grand Sahara, Sharjah. Telling?
The only reason to watch...
You want to spend around two and a half hours watching Ashkay Kumar running. Or you’ve had a fight with your spouse and were kicked out of the house.
*: Not worth your time
**: Barely watchable
***: Wait for DVD
****: Head to the cinema
*****: Stalk the cast
(Published in e+, Gulf News, Dubai: April 16, 2009 issue)
Monday, 13 April 2009
Curry talk
From the bylanes of Britain to the swanky Marina Walk, Indo-British fusion makes its way to Dubai, writes Sneha May Francis
There’s a curry house on almost every inconspicuous lane in Britain, each stirring up a delicious concoction of Indian and British cuisine. And it’s in these tiny kitchens that the popular Chicken Tikka Masala was created. The dish became the rage across the globe but for the robust Indian tastebuds it was a tad insipid. And this is probably why our gastronomic journey to The Rupee Room wasn’t excitingly flavourful.
Arriving at the bustling Marina Walk we find a neat outdoor eating area. The picture-postcard view of the anchored yachts was inviting, but the weather didn’t permit sitting outdoors that night. So we headed to the tastefully decorated interior and found a nice corner by the large glassed-off kitchen where the chefs entertained us with their acrobatics.
Once seated, our courteous waiter arrived with the menu. We skimmed through the neatly divided list to pick our favourites. Our hungry tummies made us act fast, rather too impulsively perhaps. I know gluttony is a sin, but it’s extremely tough to reason with a growling tummy.
We started our meal with a Tandoori platter, a lavish spread of assorted kebabs – Malai, Botti, Reshmi, Seekh – along with Tandoori Chicken and Rupee Room naan. We were taken aback by the pure monstrosity of the spread. The thought of the rest of the order that had yet to make it to our table had us worried! The collection of neatly arranged meat chunks worked wonders on our tastebuds. The spiced and succulent pieces of meat were cooked to perfection, each retaining its unique flavour. The spread of tantalising pickles complemented them well. Though we would have loved to clear the platter, we had to restrain ourselves from filling our tummies before the other dishes had arrived.
Thankfully we had enough time to sip on fresh orange juice and soothe our tastebuds before our waiter appeared with the steaming hot mains. Our seafood instincts had prompted us to pick the Jhinga Dum Masala, which didn’t deserve the slots we had reserved in our stomach. The large jumbo prawns didn’t quite blend in with the delicious dressing. The prawn meat needed to be marinated for longer in order to retain the spicy tang. The Rogan Josh also missed the mark. The meat tasted insipid, and we longed for a more zesty and tangy tomato base. The Indian bread accompaniments, however, were impressively soft and fluffy.
We talked ourselves into the Prawn Dum Biriyani, only because we’d heard rave reviews about it. But it failed to impress. The prawns weren’t flavoured enough to blend in with the spiced rice. I think the essence of a good biriyani is its spiciness, which was missing here.
It’s customary to finish a meal with a sweet dish. So, despite a rather stuffed stomach, we braved the Rasmallai and Gajjar Ka Halwa, and are glad we did. The sweet dishes truly made our meal burp-worthy! The milky cottage cheese bowl and the steaming hot carrot pudding were the best we’d ever tasted.
We sat a while longer at our table, and were weighed down by our stuffed tummies. In hindsight, we let our tummies rule our minds and perhaps we didn’t need to order so much food. Oh well, next time!
The rupee room
What Indian cuisine
Where Marina Walk, North Podium, 04 390 5755
Why For a nice kebab treat with a view over the spectacular Marina Walk
Cost Bill for two Dh490
(Published in e+, Gulf News, Dubai for April 9th issue)
There’s a curry house on almost every inconspicuous lane in Britain, each stirring up a delicious concoction of Indian and British cuisine. And it’s in these tiny kitchens that the popular Chicken Tikka Masala was created. The dish became the rage across the globe but for the robust Indian tastebuds it was a tad insipid. And this is probably why our gastronomic journey to The Rupee Room wasn’t excitingly flavourful.
Arriving at the bustling Marina Walk we find a neat outdoor eating area. The picture-postcard view of the anchored yachts was inviting, but the weather didn’t permit sitting outdoors that night. So we headed to the tastefully decorated interior and found a nice corner by the large glassed-off kitchen where the chefs entertained us with their acrobatics.
Once seated, our courteous waiter arrived with the menu. We skimmed through the neatly divided list to pick our favourites. Our hungry tummies made us act fast, rather too impulsively perhaps. I know gluttony is a sin, but it’s extremely tough to reason with a growling tummy.
We started our meal with a Tandoori platter, a lavish spread of assorted kebabs – Malai, Botti, Reshmi, Seekh – along with Tandoori Chicken and Rupee Room naan. We were taken aback by the pure monstrosity of the spread. The thought of the rest of the order that had yet to make it to our table had us worried! The collection of neatly arranged meat chunks worked wonders on our tastebuds. The spiced and succulent pieces of meat were cooked to perfection, each retaining its unique flavour. The spread of tantalising pickles complemented them well. Though we would have loved to clear the platter, we had to restrain ourselves from filling our tummies before the other dishes had arrived.
Thankfully we had enough time to sip on fresh orange juice and soothe our tastebuds before our waiter appeared with the steaming hot mains. Our seafood instincts had prompted us to pick the Jhinga Dum Masala, which didn’t deserve the slots we had reserved in our stomach. The large jumbo prawns didn’t quite blend in with the delicious dressing. The prawn meat needed to be marinated for longer in order to retain the spicy tang. The Rogan Josh also missed the mark. The meat tasted insipid, and we longed for a more zesty and tangy tomato base. The Indian bread accompaniments, however, were impressively soft and fluffy.
We talked ourselves into the Prawn Dum Biriyani, only because we’d heard rave reviews about it. But it failed to impress. The prawns weren’t flavoured enough to blend in with the spiced rice. I think the essence of a good biriyani is its spiciness, which was missing here.
It’s customary to finish a meal with a sweet dish. So, despite a rather stuffed stomach, we braved the Rasmallai and Gajjar Ka Halwa, and are glad we did. The sweet dishes truly made our meal burp-worthy! The milky cottage cheese bowl and the steaming hot carrot pudding were the best we’d ever tasted.
We sat a while longer at our table, and were weighed down by our stuffed tummies. In hindsight, we let our tummies rule our minds and perhaps we didn’t need to order so much food. Oh well, next time!
The rupee room
What Indian cuisine
Where Marina Walk, North Podium, 04 390 5755
Why For a nice kebab treat with a view over the spectacular Marina Walk
Cost Bill for two Dh490
(Published in e+, Gulf News, Dubai for April 9th issue)
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Simply Sonam
No airs. No inflated ego. Here’s a strong-willed star kid who prefers to play the game by her own rules, writes Sneha May Francis
It’s not often that you’d get to sit down and have a chit-chat with a Bollywood actress. Often, it’s a purely professional outing with us, the media, shooting out questions, and them, the actors, replying in full earnest. And after the scheduled drill, each leaves with a tight-lipped good-bye, rarely ever a handshake. But that changed after we met the new star on the block, Sonam Kapoor.
She was refreshingly different, warm and made us feel like we’ve known her for years, even stopping mid-sentence to offer us coffee while she sipped at hers. Unlike other stereotypical star kids, she came minus the star-standard tantrums and was at her chirpy best despite giving back-to-back interviews.
We caught up with the bubbly actress when she was in Dubai for the premiere of her second film – Rakeysh Mehra’s Delhi-6. While most young stars like to hog all films that come their way after their debut, Sonam decided to wait a year after Saawariya, proving she is not one to conform. In fact, she’s the kind who prefers to chalk out her own rules and not depend on daddy-dear, veteran actor Anil Kapoor to do her homework for her.
"One film a year is not bad, if you look at the law of averages. I just decided to do one film at a time, not because I’m being picky or anything. I don’t think I have the stamina or the capability to work on two or three films at the same time. I think it’s unfair to the director and me," she adds.
She takes a philosophical turn and questions how anyone could be true to a single character when they have to juggle two-three films at the same time. The Kapoor girl appears strikingly honest and has no qualms about admitting that it’s her lack of experience that has prompted her to take one film at a time. "Kudos to [the other actors who’ve managed it], but I can’t do it."
Her on-screen image is one of a naïve girl-next-door. So when we saw shots of her glamorous Vogue cover and her red-lipped sassy fashion at numerous social events, it got us wondering whether this was a serious attempt to change her demure image. "I’ve always been like this. It’s only in the movies you see me playing a certain character," she explains.
Mid-way through the interview, she decides to reverse the roles and quizzes us instead. She asks us about our decision to move away from India. "I can’t imagine living anywhere else in the world. India is my country and I’m so proud of it," she says.
The conversation leads to her talking about a desire to go back to her books, something she regrets giving up for a career in films. "I feel illiterate at times! So, I’m constantly reading to make up for it." So if you thought she would put college education on the backburner, think again. Sonam is not one to give up, she’s extremely determined to fine-tune her grey cells even if it means following world-renowned writer/philosopher Rabindranath Tagore’s self-study method.
"He said that reading is the best way to educate oneself. I believe education is extremely important and I encourage everyone to finish their studies before taking up acting or any other profession."
Her thoughts then drift to her father , who also gave up his college education for a film career. Unlike other star’s kids, Sonam is comfortable with her filmy background. "I’ve never known a time when my dad was not an actor. For me, acting was a normal profession. In fact, it felt strange if someone’s dad was a banker or a lawyer." There’s a twinkle in her eye when she talks about her dad’s accomplishments in the Hindi film industry. In fact, she finds it tough to pick a favourite and lists out quite a few: "Besides Slumdog Millionaire, I liked Woh Saat Din, Pukar, Mr India, Tehzaab, Beta, Ram Lakhan… It’s tough to pick just one because he’s done so many good films."
Sonam might be in awe of her dad but she’s practical enough not to let her heart rule her mind. This is clearly evident when she picked box-office success for Delhi-6 over Oscar glory for Slumdog Millionaire. Unfortunately history proved otherwise, with Slumdog Millionaire winning eight Oscars and Delhi-6 finding an unlucky slot at the box office. But, she’s not one to be perturbed by the box office drama, considering this film is the one which brought her fame in the popular Masakali track. "Who would’ve thought that dancing with a pigeon placed on my head, would turn into such a rage. It’s all thanks to [choreographer] Vaibhavi Merchant, [composer] A. R. Rahman and [lyricist] Prasoon Joshi." Sonam goes on to explain the essence of the song: "It is a reflection of [my character] Bittu’s true state. In a way, the pigeon Masakali symbolises Bittu’s personal predicaments."
This leads to a recent report saying her co-star Abhishek picked Masakali, the pigeon, over her as his favourite co-star. But, she quickly clarifies, "[Abhishek] meant Bittu and not the pigeon!" And to prove her point, she cuts our conversation mid-way to check with Abhishek, who is seated in a corner nearby. He doesn’t disappoint her and admits, "You are Masakali," putting a mischievous grin on her face.
She may be all childlike and full of fun, but when it comes to her profession, she shows a lot of maturity. Her decision to do Delhi-6 was based on its great script. "It’s a good vision. I was fascinated with Bittu. I feel it’s more challenging to play someone normal rather than someone who is messed up or depressed."
At first glance, her perfect ladylike posture doesn’t give away her naughty streak. But we caught a glimpse of it when she talked about the shot, in which she was required to accidentally spit on Abhishek while gargling. "Yes I did it… once or twice," she grins. Guess this was her way of getting back at Bachchan junior for playing pranks on her.
On her future projects, Sonam says it’s a mini-family affair – with sister Rhea playing producer and dad donning the acting cap – that’s on the calendar.Our chat comes to an end, but there are no stiff farewells, only a nice big smile and a warm invitation to attend her premiere. For someone who’s so grounded and refreshingly warm, we only hope success and fame don’t change her.
(Published in e+, Gulf News (26.03.2009)
It’s not often that you’d get to sit down and have a chit-chat with a Bollywood actress. Often, it’s a purely professional outing with us, the media, shooting out questions, and them, the actors, replying in full earnest. And after the scheduled drill, each leaves with a tight-lipped good-bye, rarely ever a handshake. But that changed after we met the new star on the block, Sonam Kapoor.
She was refreshingly different, warm and made us feel like we’ve known her for years, even stopping mid-sentence to offer us coffee while she sipped at hers. Unlike other stereotypical star kids, she came minus the star-standard tantrums and was at her chirpy best despite giving back-to-back interviews.
We caught up with the bubbly actress when she was in Dubai for the premiere of her second film – Rakeysh Mehra’s Delhi-6. While most young stars like to hog all films that come their way after their debut, Sonam decided to wait a year after Saawariya, proving she is not one to conform. In fact, she’s the kind who prefers to chalk out her own rules and not depend on daddy-dear, veteran actor Anil Kapoor to do her homework for her.
"One film a year is not bad, if you look at the law of averages. I just decided to do one film at a time, not because I’m being picky or anything. I don’t think I have the stamina or the capability to work on two or three films at the same time. I think it’s unfair to the director and me," she adds.
She takes a philosophical turn and questions how anyone could be true to a single character when they have to juggle two-three films at the same time. The Kapoor girl appears strikingly honest and has no qualms about admitting that it’s her lack of experience that has prompted her to take one film at a time. "Kudos to [the other actors who’ve managed it], but I can’t do it."
Her on-screen image is one of a naïve girl-next-door. So when we saw shots of her glamorous Vogue cover and her red-lipped sassy fashion at numerous social events, it got us wondering whether this was a serious attempt to change her demure image. "I’ve always been like this. It’s only in the movies you see me playing a certain character," she explains.
Mid-way through the interview, she decides to reverse the roles and quizzes us instead. She asks us about our decision to move away from India. "I can’t imagine living anywhere else in the world. India is my country and I’m so proud of it," she says.
The conversation leads to her talking about a desire to go back to her books, something she regrets giving up for a career in films. "I feel illiterate at times! So, I’m constantly reading to make up for it." So if you thought she would put college education on the backburner, think again. Sonam is not one to give up, she’s extremely determined to fine-tune her grey cells even if it means following world-renowned writer/philosopher Rabindranath Tagore’s self-study method.
"He said that reading is the best way to educate oneself. I believe education is extremely important and I encourage everyone to finish their studies before taking up acting or any other profession."
Her thoughts then drift to her father , who also gave up his college education for a film career. Unlike other star’s kids, Sonam is comfortable with her filmy background. "I’ve never known a time when my dad was not an actor. For me, acting was a normal profession. In fact, it felt strange if someone’s dad was a banker or a lawyer." There’s a twinkle in her eye when she talks about her dad’s accomplishments in the Hindi film industry. In fact, she finds it tough to pick a favourite and lists out quite a few: "Besides Slumdog Millionaire, I liked Woh Saat Din, Pukar, Mr India, Tehzaab, Beta, Ram Lakhan… It’s tough to pick just one because he’s done so many good films."
Sonam might be in awe of her dad but she’s practical enough not to let her heart rule her mind. This is clearly evident when she picked box-office success for Delhi-6 over Oscar glory for Slumdog Millionaire. Unfortunately history proved otherwise, with Slumdog Millionaire winning eight Oscars and Delhi-6 finding an unlucky slot at the box office. But, she’s not one to be perturbed by the box office drama, considering this film is the one which brought her fame in the popular Masakali track. "Who would’ve thought that dancing with a pigeon placed on my head, would turn into such a rage. It’s all thanks to [choreographer] Vaibhavi Merchant, [composer] A. R. Rahman and [lyricist] Prasoon Joshi." Sonam goes on to explain the essence of the song: "It is a reflection of [my character] Bittu’s true state. In a way, the pigeon Masakali symbolises Bittu’s personal predicaments."
This leads to a recent report saying her co-star Abhishek picked Masakali, the pigeon, over her as his favourite co-star. But, she quickly clarifies, "[Abhishek] meant Bittu and not the pigeon!" And to prove her point, she cuts our conversation mid-way to check with Abhishek, who is seated in a corner nearby. He doesn’t disappoint her and admits, "You are Masakali," putting a mischievous grin on her face.
She may be all childlike and full of fun, but when it comes to her profession, she shows a lot of maturity. Her decision to do Delhi-6 was based on its great script. "It’s a good vision. I was fascinated with Bittu. I feel it’s more challenging to play someone normal rather than someone who is messed up or depressed."
At first glance, her perfect ladylike posture doesn’t give away her naughty streak. But we caught a glimpse of it when she talked about the shot, in which she was required to accidentally spit on Abhishek while gargling. "Yes I did it… once or twice," she grins. Guess this was her way of getting back at Bachchan junior for playing pranks on her.
On her future projects, Sonam says it’s a mini-family affair – with sister Rhea playing producer and dad donning the acting cap – that’s on the calendar.Our chat comes to an end, but there are no stiff farewells, only a nice big smile and a warm invitation to attend her premiere. For someone who’s so grounded and refreshingly warm, we only hope success and fame don’t change her.
(Published in e+, Gulf News (26.03.2009)
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Head bang for a cause
Rock stars from Rock On!!! gear up for a Magik-al evening, says Sneha May Francis
Come March 12, we in Dubai will get to rock with Bollywood’s first reel rock stars. Band Magik – Farhan, Arjun Ramphal, Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny – will team with Rock On!!! music composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy for an evening of pure Indi-rock.
Rock music isn’t alien to Hollywood. Numerous films have been made, and the one that stands out is Jack Black’s head-banging teacher act in The School of Rock. But Bollywood had shut its ears to the loud thumping beats. In fact, we’re so accustomed to watching our heroes lip-sync Hindi melodies and dancing with their ladyloves, that playing a guitar could look a tad out of place. But that image changed when Farhan Akhtar hit the right notes in Rock On!!! The music concoction left Bollywood mesmerised and craving for more. It was neither pure rock nor film music, it was Indi-rock re-mixed, Bollywood style!
And in the most befitting ode to their reel-life characters, band Magik will step out from the reel world into the real one!
The Rock On concert has partnered with Dubai Autism Center to create awareness about Autism as a condition. "It’s for a cause. At the end of the day you can do things for profit, for ego, but at times you get called on to recreate the magic that you’ve created onscreen for a particular cause," says Luke Kenny, who plays the keyboard in Rock On!!!
"We get to recreate the experience of the film and help other people… help them get a better life. That’s what motivates us to come on stage, six months after the release of the film."
After touring India and helping social networks, the boys will reach Dubai. For lead guitarist Arjun Ramphal, it’s a special way to thank his fans for their undying support. "It feels wonderful to see all the love and adulation we have gained with this film. I’ve received a lot of calls (of appreciation) from Dubai, so this concert is going to be extra special," he says.
"We’ve all wanted to be rock stars at some point in our lives... Magik is our band and we’ll do everything for it," he adds.
When asked whether he’d sing a few notes, like his reel character, he remained elusive and prompted us to find out at the concert – an added incentive, we think, apart from Farhan Akhtar’s Sinbad The Sailor. So for all Rock On!!! fans this is a rare opportunity to rock with Magik!
tickets…
Where The Aviation Club, Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud
How Tickets are priced at Dh1,000, Dh500, Dh300, Dh175, Dh150; visit www.boxofficeme.com or call 0501524624, or 0503656480
When March 12, gates open at 6pm; show starts at 9pm
(published in March 12th, 2009 issue in e+, Gulf News)
Come March 12, we in Dubai will get to rock with Bollywood’s first reel rock stars. Band Magik – Farhan, Arjun Ramphal, Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny – will team with Rock On!!! music composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy for an evening of pure Indi-rock.
Rock music isn’t alien to Hollywood. Numerous films have been made, and the one that stands out is Jack Black’s head-banging teacher act in The School of Rock. But Bollywood had shut its ears to the loud thumping beats. In fact, we’re so accustomed to watching our heroes lip-sync Hindi melodies and dancing with their ladyloves, that playing a guitar could look a tad out of place. But that image changed when Farhan Akhtar hit the right notes in Rock On!!! The music concoction left Bollywood mesmerised and craving for more. It was neither pure rock nor film music, it was Indi-rock re-mixed, Bollywood style!
And in the most befitting ode to their reel-life characters, band Magik will step out from the reel world into the real one!
The Rock On concert has partnered with Dubai Autism Center to create awareness about Autism as a condition. "It’s for a cause. At the end of the day you can do things for profit, for ego, but at times you get called on to recreate the magic that you’ve created onscreen for a particular cause," says Luke Kenny, who plays the keyboard in Rock On!!!
"We get to recreate the experience of the film and help other people… help them get a better life. That’s what motivates us to come on stage, six months after the release of the film."
After touring India and helping social networks, the boys will reach Dubai. For lead guitarist Arjun Ramphal, it’s a special way to thank his fans for their undying support. "It feels wonderful to see all the love and adulation we have gained with this film. I’ve received a lot of calls (of appreciation) from Dubai, so this concert is going to be extra special," he says.
"We’ve all wanted to be rock stars at some point in our lives... Magik is our band and we’ll do everything for it," he adds.
When asked whether he’d sing a few notes, like his reel character, he remained elusive and prompted us to find out at the concert – an added incentive, we think, apart from Farhan Akhtar’s Sinbad The Sailor. So for all Rock On!!! fans this is a rare opportunity to rock with Magik!
tickets…
Where The Aviation Club, Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud
How Tickets are priced at Dh1,000, Dh500, Dh300, Dh175, Dh150; visit www.boxofficeme.com or call 0501524624, or 0503656480
When March 12, gates open at 6pm; show starts at 9pm
(published in March 12th, 2009 issue in e+, Gulf News)
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Retail therapy
After a hectic shopping trip, Sneha May Francis suggests you treat your tummy
Exercise and eat well. Experts claim this is the healthy way to live. I, for one, follow the principle very closely. The only difference being that I skip the gym for the shopping malls.
Don’t be baffled: shopping isn’t only about spending money, it’s the new age workout regime. It involves hours of walking around, packing goodies into massive bags and lugging them home. (Dumbbells seem lighter in comparison!) So after such a hectic workout, it’s imperative that one pampers one’s tummy.
There’s a food court in every mall, but they are always far too noisy and the food is almost always insipid. At the Sahara Centre, there’s a quiet corner, precariously located near the jam-packed food court, but seemingly devoid of the loud banter.
Decked with an eclectic mix of blue and wooden furniture, the Il Forno looks very inviting. We pick a table, place our bags to one side and sink into the large blue armchairs. Our waiter arrives, almost immediately, and extends the menu. We quickly select our favourites from a rather plain menu with dishes named in Italian, making it a bit tough to comprehend. It’s Insalata di Mare, a mixed seafood salad, for the starters. The delicately seasoned fresh prawns, squid and mussels, placed on a bed of crispy lettuce, arrives on a large white plate. The intoxicating smell of olive oil and herbs works miracles on our tastebuds. For the main course, we zero in on Fiorentina Al Forno (beef rib eye, pan fried with olive oil) and Quattro Stagioni (fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella, artichoke, beef salami, mushrooms and black olive).
The chunky beef slice, cooked to medium rare and smothered in creamy white sauce, is accompanied by mashed potatoes. Each bite is a revelation. The thin crusted pizza, large enough to feed an army, is a kaleidoscope of colours. It’s perfectly seasoned.
Once the food arrives, we limit our conversations to concentrate on our meal. We wash down the food with refreshing fruit drinks.
After stuffing our faces, we shamelessly ask for the dessert menu. No trip to an Italian joint would be complete without a round of tiramisu. The large slice of layered cream treat is only OK. Being a die-hard fan, I can vouch that I’ve tasted better. We also pick the sinful melted hazelnut chocolate, which turns out to be plain old chocolate mousse.
On the whole, we’d overlook the sweet disasters and give this joint a thumbs-up. So now there’s another incentive to go shopping!
Il Forno
What Italian cuisine
Where Sahara Centre, Sharjah
Why For Italian cuisine
Cost Bill for two Dh175
Published in e+, Gulf News, Dubai
Exercise and eat well. Experts claim this is the healthy way to live. I, for one, follow the principle very closely. The only difference being that I skip the gym for the shopping malls.
Don’t be baffled: shopping isn’t only about spending money, it’s the new age workout regime. It involves hours of walking around, packing goodies into massive bags and lugging them home. (Dumbbells seem lighter in comparison!) So after such a hectic workout, it’s imperative that one pampers one’s tummy.
There’s a food court in every mall, but they are always far too noisy and the food is almost always insipid. At the Sahara Centre, there’s a quiet corner, precariously located near the jam-packed food court, but seemingly devoid of the loud banter.
Decked with an eclectic mix of blue and wooden furniture, the Il Forno looks very inviting. We pick a table, place our bags to one side and sink into the large blue armchairs. Our waiter arrives, almost immediately, and extends the menu. We quickly select our favourites from a rather plain menu with dishes named in Italian, making it a bit tough to comprehend. It’s Insalata di Mare, a mixed seafood salad, for the starters. The delicately seasoned fresh prawns, squid and mussels, placed on a bed of crispy lettuce, arrives on a large white plate. The intoxicating smell of olive oil and herbs works miracles on our tastebuds. For the main course, we zero in on Fiorentina Al Forno (beef rib eye, pan fried with olive oil) and Quattro Stagioni (fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella, artichoke, beef salami, mushrooms and black olive).
The chunky beef slice, cooked to medium rare and smothered in creamy white sauce, is accompanied by mashed potatoes. Each bite is a revelation. The thin crusted pizza, large enough to feed an army, is a kaleidoscope of colours. It’s perfectly seasoned.
Once the food arrives, we limit our conversations to concentrate on our meal. We wash down the food with refreshing fruit drinks.
After stuffing our faces, we shamelessly ask for the dessert menu. No trip to an Italian joint would be complete without a round of tiramisu. The large slice of layered cream treat is only OK. Being a die-hard fan, I can vouch that I’ve tasted better. We also pick the sinful melted hazelnut chocolate, which turns out to be plain old chocolate mousse.
On the whole, we’d overlook the sweet disasters and give this joint a thumbs-up. So now there’s another incentive to go shopping!
Il Forno
What Italian cuisine
Where Sahara Centre, Sharjah
Why For Italian cuisine
Cost Bill for two Dh175
Published in e+, Gulf News, Dubai
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Make way for Bachchan junior
Charismatic Abhishek Bachchan leads team Delhi-6, writes Sneha May Francis
He came. He charmed. He conquered, well almost!
Bollywood badshaah Amitabh Bachchan’s baccha (son) Abhishek definitely knows a thing or two about wooing the crowd. Sporting a gelled new hairstyle and sleek formal wear, the man completely enthralled the crowd, overshadowing his tall leading lady Sonam Kapoor. Dressed in a gorgeous orange gown with chunky Kundan necklace, and hair pinned up in a curly bun, Sonam skipped the ‘charm’ quotient to take a step behind the sophisticated Bachchan boy.
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, dressed in a crisp suit, with his long locks tied away in a pony-tail, took the spot behind the limelight, to let the audience enjoy the celebrity circus. For one, a certain pearly-white feathered Massakkali, the face of all Delhi-6 posters, was truly missed!
Mehra’s Delhi-6 has been the talk of the town, especially since this is his first release after his ‘masterpiece’ Rang De Basanti. The Grand Cineplex was choc-a-bloc with eager fans, who braved the grilling weekday traffic, only to catch a glimpse of their favourites. The hour-long wait came to an end when hysterical screams were heard, signalling the arrival of Bachchan junior. The leading couple walked in true rehearsed starry style, waving out, smiling and generally obliging the crowd to spurts of autograph requests. They walked the red carpet, guarded by beefy bodyguards, and stopped in front of a large black and white canvas with logos of Delhi-6 and Dubai International Film Festival.
The three stood against the massive poster backdrop to satisfy the trigger-happy crowd. The actors were flooded with flash lights, with photographers haggling for a good slot. After countless camera clicks, team Delhi-6 was ushered to the back of the theatre. The chubby bouncers were able to keep the frenzied fans from nudging and inching their way closer to the actors, almost avoiding a stampede! The mesmerised crowd followed the stars, almost missing the entrance of the theatre. It was almost like watching ‘Pied Piper’ Abhishek luring a massive crowd! The madness was over when the stars were safely moved to the dressing room (near the main screen). The retraced their steps to the main entrance, now calm and composed.
Once inside, the audience took their seats without any fuss. The customary introduction took place, after a few hurried talk about the film and its association with the DIFF. Mehra presented his film with a humble few words. “It took me seven years to make Delhi-6,” he claimed, sounding a tad hurtful. “I had approached Abhishek then but it didn’t work out. Rang De Basanti had to happen before and now it’s finally the turn for Delhi-6.” He then introduced the shy Sonam who offered a quick “hope you connect with the film”. But the star of the night was definitely Abhishek. He made a dramatic filmi entry, with Mehra shouting out for him and encouraging the women to join in. Aby baby didn’t disappoint and was at his charming best. He confidently marched in, cracked a few jokes, and threw a few tit-bits about co-star Sonam, even pointing out to her aunt and uncle in the crowd. He humoured the crowd by jumping on the stage only because a lady couldn’t see him clearly. Standing on top of the others, quite literally, he asked “Is it better now?” The crowd was awestruck! He rambled on about Sonam’s talent, urging us to give her a go, and how Delhi-6 is Mehra’s “simple, yet noble story”.
Earlier that evening, he had told me that he talks a lot when he’s nervous. Guessing by his act, I think the man was a tad nervous! A few laughs later, Abhishek jumped back and was ushered to the VVIP seats.
The movie opened to hoots and cheer from the crowd, which almost diminished as the story unfolded. I guess, it’s almost always impossible to better a masterpiece and that’s exactly happened to Mehra. His film received a lukewarm response, some people questioning why it didn’t work. For one, it didn’t have the soul of Rang De. Mehra said the film was about “love” but there was none in his film.
Abhishek may have been the star of the night, but the film was not his. Delhi-6 belongs to its strong supporting cast. Legendary actors like Rishi Kapoor (the charismatic ‘Ali’), Waheeda Rehman (the warm ‘dadi’), Divya Dutta (the tangy ‘Jalebi’), Prem Chopra (the cruel old man), Atul Kulkarni (the striking Gobbar), Om Puri (the strict Madangopal), Pavan Malhotra (as the electrifying Jai Gopal), Vijay Raaz (the menacing cop) and Cyrus Sahukar (the sleazy photographer), among others. Deepak Dobriyal as Mamdu was mindblowing! After the menacing evil guy in Omkara, he continues to fascinate.
It’s Mehra’s semi autobiographical, but Delhi-6 is not Rang De...!
He came. He charmed. He conquered, well almost!
Bollywood badshaah Amitabh Bachchan’s baccha (son) Abhishek definitely knows a thing or two about wooing the crowd. Sporting a gelled new hairstyle and sleek formal wear, the man completely enthralled the crowd, overshadowing his tall leading lady Sonam Kapoor. Dressed in a gorgeous orange gown with chunky Kundan necklace, and hair pinned up in a curly bun, Sonam skipped the ‘charm’ quotient to take a step behind the sophisticated Bachchan boy.
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, dressed in a crisp suit, with his long locks tied away in a pony-tail, took the spot behind the limelight, to let the audience enjoy the celebrity circus. For one, a certain pearly-white feathered Massakkali, the face of all Delhi-6 posters, was truly missed!
Mehra’s Delhi-6 has been the talk of the town, especially since this is his first release after his ‘masterpiece’ Rang De Basanti. The Grand Cineplex was choc-a-bloc with eager fans, who braved the grilling weekday traffic, only to catch a glimpse of their favourites. The hour-long wait came to an end when hysterical screams were heard, signalling the arrival of Bachchan junior. The leading couple walked in true rehearsed starry style, waving out, smiling and generally obliging the crowd to spurts of autograph requests. They walked the red carpet, guarded by beefy bodyguards, and stopped in front of a large black and white canvas with logos of Delhi-6 and Dubai International Film Festival.
The three stood against the massive poster backdrop to satisfy the trigger-happy crowd. The actors were flooded with flash lights, with photographers haggling for a good slot. After countless camera clicks, team Delhi-6 was ushered to the back of the theatre. The chubby bouncers were able to keep the frenzied fans from nudging and inching their way closer to the actors, almost avoiding a stampede! The mesmerised crowd followed the stars, almost missing the entrance of the theatre. It was almost like watching ‘Pied Piper’ Abhishek luring a massive crowd! The madness was over when the stars were safely moved to the dressing room (near the main screen). The retraced their steps to the main entrance, now calm and composed.
Once inside, the audience took their seats without any fuss. The customary introduction took place, after a few hurried talk about the film and its association with the DIFF. Mehra presented his film with a humble few words. “It took me seven years to make Delhi-6,” he claimed, sounding a tad hurtful. “I had approached Abhishek then but it didn’t work out. Rang De Basanti had to happen before and now it’s finally the turn for Delhi-6.” He then introduced the shy Sonam who offered a quick “hope you connect with the film”. But the star of the night was definitely Abhishek. He made a dramatic filmi entry, with Mehra shouting out for him and encouraging the women to join in. Aby baby didn’t disappoint and was at his charming best. He confidently marched in, cracked a few jokes, and threw a few tit-bits about co-star Sonam, even pointing out to her aunt and uncle in the crowd. He humoured the crowd by jumping on the stage only because a lady couldn’t see him clearly. Standing on top of the others, quite literally, he asked “Is it better now?” The crowd was awestruck! He rambled on about Sonam’s talent, urging us to give her a go, and how Delhi-6 is Mehra’s “simple, yet noble story”.
Earlier that evening, he had told me that he talks a lot when he’s nervous. Guessing by his act, I think the man was a tad nervous! A few laughs later, Abhishek jumped back and was ushered to the VVIP seats.
The movie opened to hoots and cheer from the crowd, which almost diminished as the story unfolded. I guess, it’s almost always impossible to better a masterpiece and that’s exactly happened to Mehra. His film received a lukewarm response, some people questioning why it didn’t work. For one, it didn’t have the soul of Rang De. Mehra said the film was about “love” but there was none in his film.
Abhishek may have been the star of the night, but the film was not his. Delhi-6 belongs to its strong supporting cast. Legendary actors like Rishi Kapoor (the charismatic ‘Ali’), Waheeda Rehman (the warm ‘dadi’), Divya Dutta (the tangy ‘Jalebi’), Prem Chopra (the cruel old man), Atul Kulkarni (the striking Gobbar), Om Puri (the strict Madangopal), Pavan Malhotra (as the electrifying Jai Gopal), Vijay Raaz (the menacing cop) and Cyrus Sahukar (the sleazy photographer), among others. Deepak Dobriyal as Mamdu was mindblowing! After the menacing evil guy in Omkara, he continues to fascinate.
It’s Mehra’s semi autobiographical, but Delhi-6 is not Rang De...!
Monday, 9 February 2009
Cupid’s Bollywood work
These actors romance in reel-life, but how far does love transcend into their real life... Sneha May Francis finds out
Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan
They got together amid huge controversy. She left her then beau Shahid Kapoor, and he left is many girl friends behind, to join hands on the sets of Taashan. Ever since, they have stopped at nothing to proclaim their love. From TV shows to films to ads, they have done the whole circus of ‘love publicity’. Contrary to their lukewarm onscreen image (in Taashan) they do have a lot in common – an illustrious filmi backgrounds (one a Kapoor-kid and the other son to the beautiful Sharmila Tagore), phoenix-like career growth and a tight grip on their star tantrums.
Ajay Devgan and Kajol
She makes it to Bollywood’s most talented actresses. Her eyes essayed many a crucial character with aplomb, while his dark broody unconventional look worked a way into the heart of the audiences. Their innocent love story blossomed over a few films, Ishq and Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha. After 10-years of marriage and lovely daughter Nysa, these two are focused on working on their creative growth. Their first film post marriage, Raju Chacha, flopped miserably, but their most recent - U, Me Aur Hum – had a better luck at the box office.
Bipasha Basu and John Abraham
They’ve walked the same line! Both started out as successful models before setting foot in the film industry. Their first film together - Jism - sizzled at the box office and witnessed their love story kick off. Despite rumours of infidelity they have stuck to each other for years together. After Jism, they’ve failed to recreate their love onscreen, making their onscreen romance almost insipid.
Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone
The blue-eyed Kapoor boy’s debut Saawariya may not have done well at the box office but it got him instant fame. His ladylove Deepika Padukone too struck gold with her debut Om Shanti Om. And together they basked in their success, proclaiming their love to the world. It’s rumoured they hit it off on the sets of Bachna Aai Haseeno. Though their movies (together) got a subdued response, their real life love story is going strong!
Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan
They are Bollywood’s Brangelina! Their wedding received more media coverage than any other political story. Their relationship has been scrutanised and dissected by many a pandit (astrologer), media personalities, co-workers, and the public at large. But looks like their numerous visits to religious destinations have paid off and these two look happy. They fell in love on the sets of Umrao Jaan, which bombed. Their second film Guru did extremely well, maybe because of its strategic release close to their actual wedding. But Sarkar Raj didn’t turn out as lucky. But with a few promising projects lined up, they have their fingers crossed!
Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan
The golden couple of Bollywood. They married in 1973, when she was at the peak of her career and he was fairly new to Bollywood. They both worked in some memorable films like Abhimaan, Sholay, Chupke Chupke and Silsila. After marriage, Amitabh’s career sky-rocketed, while Jaya took up domestic duties. Jaya returned to the silver screen after many years with Fiza, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum and Kal Ho Naa Ho. While Big B continues to charm the audiences, she has taken the socio-political path. Together, they are still one of the most rock-solid couples in the film industry.
Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna
Bollywood’s khiladi Akshay Kumar fell in love with Twinkle Khanna while shooting for International Khiladi and Zulmi. Though his acting journey was choc-o-bloc with numerous romantic links (namely with Raveena Tandon, Pooja Batra, Shilpa Shetty and the more recent Priyanka Chopra), he’s had the knack of shaking off all the bad publicity with super hit films. Twinkle has stood by her man through it all and gave up her, not-so-flourishing acting life, for family and a career in interior decoration.
Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu
Although Kumar was known for his fiery affair with the versatile Madhubala, he married the gorgeous Saira Banu in 1966. It was almost as if he wanted to irk Madhubala. Gossip columnists predicted Kumar, then aged 44, and Banu, then aged 22, wouldn’t last, but the union has stood the test of time. It’s said that it was Banu’s mother who persuaded Kumar to advise Banu against going out with Raj Kumar, but in the bargain the actor fell in love with the innocent beauty. Despite a strong marriage, their love didn’t transcend on the silver screen, with many of their films Gopi, Sagina and Bairaag faring badly.
Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh
Their vibrant energy and killer dance moves got them the most dreamy pair recognition. Their on-screen romances, prior to their wedding, namely Khel Khel Mein, Kabhi Kabhie and Rafoo Chakkar were successful. Post marriage Neetu gave up the limelight, leaving him to make his mark. With age he’s done far too few films. But after their son’s entry, the proud parents are now back to support him.
Dharmendra and Hema Malini
The erstwhile beauty, Hema Malini, was smitten by the macho Dharmendra at the premiere of a K Abbas film. Their relationship was hush-hush and it was, infact, this angle that resulted in films like Seeta Aur Geeta, Jugnu, Sholay, Azad and Raja Rani doing well at the box office. But after Hema wed Dharmendra (who was already married) their on-screen magic started dwindling. Though they didn’t get any good projects together, their individual careers did well.
Published in e+, Gulf News, Dubai (Feb. 5, 2009 issue)
Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan
They got together amid huge controversy. She left her then beau Shahid Kapoor, and he left is many girl friends behind, to join hands on the sets of Taashan. Ever since, they have stopped at nothing to proclaim their love. From TV shows to films to ads, they have done the whole circus of ‘love publicity’. Contrary to their lukewarm onscreen image (in Taashan) they do have a lot in common – an illustrious filmi backgrounds (one a Kapoor-kid and the other son to the beautiful Sharmila Tagore), phoenix-like career growth and a tight grip on their star tantrums.
Ajay Devgan and Kajol
She makes it to Bollywood’s most talented actresses. Her eyes essayed many a crucial character with aplomb, while his dark broody unconventional look worked a way into the heart of the audiences. Their innocent love story blossomed over a few films, Ishq and Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha. After 10-years of marriage and lovely daughter Nysa, these two are focused on working on their creative growth. Their first film post marriage, Raju Chacha, flopped miserably, but their most recent - U, Me Aur Hum – had a better luck at the box office.
Bipasha Basu and John Abraham
They’ve walked the same line! Both started out as successful models before setting foot in the film industry. Their first film together - Jism - sizzled at the box office and witnessed their love story kick off. Despite rumours of infidelity they have stuck to each other for years together. After Jism, they’ve failed to recreate their love onscreen, making their onscreen romance almost insipid.
Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone
The blue-eyed Kapoor boy’s debut Saawariya may not have done well at the box office but it got him instant fame. His ladylove Deepika Padukone too struck gold with her debut Om Shanti Om. And together they basked in their success, proclaiming their love to the world. It’s rumoured they hit it off on the sets of Bachna Aai Haseeno. Though their movies (together) got a subdued response, their real life love story is going strong!
Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan
They are Bollywood’s Brangelina! Their wedding received more media coverage than any other political story. Their relationship has been scrutanised and dissected by many a pandit (astrologer), media personalities, co-workers, and the public at large. But looks like their numerous visits to religious destinations have paid off and these two look happy. They fell in love on the sets of Umrao Jaan, which bombed. Their second film Guru did extremely well, maybe because of its strategic release close to their actual wedding. But Sarkar Raj didn’t turn out as lucky. But with a few promising projects lined up, they have their fingers crossed!
Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan
The golden couple of Bollywood. They married in 1973, when she was at the peak of her career and he was fairly new to Bollywood. They both worked in some memorable films like Abhimaan, Sholay, Chupke Chupke and Silsila. After marriage, Amitabh’s career sky-rocketed, while Jaya took up domestic duties. Jaya returned to the silver screen after many years with Fiza, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum and Kal Ho Naa Ho. While Big B continues to charm the audiences, she has taken the socio-political path. Together, they are still one of the most rock-solid couples in the film industry.
Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna
Bollywood’s khiladi Akshay Kumar fell in love with Twinkle Khanna while shooting for International Khiladi and Zulmi. Though his acting journey was choc-o-bloc with numerous romantic links (namely with Raveena Tandon, Pooja Batra, Shilpa Shetty and the more recent Priyanka Chopra), he’s had the knack of shaking off all the bad publicity with super hit films. Twinkle has stood by her man through it all and gave up her, not-so-flourishing acting life, for family and a career in interior decoration.
Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu
Although Kumar was known for his fiery affair with the versatile Madhubala, he married the gorgeous Saira Banu in 1966. It was almost as if he wanted to irk Madhubala. Gossip columnists predicted Kumar, then aged 44, and Banu, then aged 22, wouldn’t last, but the union has stood the test of time. It’s said that it was Banu’s mother who persuaded Kumar to advise Banu against going out with Raj Kumar, but in the bargain the actor fell in love with the innocent beauty. Despite a strong marriage, their love didn’t transcend on the silver screen, with many of their films Gopi, Sagina and Bairaag faring badly.
Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh
Their vibrant energy and killer dance moves got them the most dreamy pair recognition. Their on-screen romances, prior to their wedding, namely Khel Khel Mein, Kabhi Kabhie and Rafoo Chakkar were successful. Post marriage Neetu gave up the limelight, leaving him to make his mark. With age he’s done far too few films. But after their son’s entry, the proud parents are now back to support him.
Dharmendra and Hema Malini
The erstwhile beauty, Hema Malini, was smitten by the macho Dharmendra at the premiere of a K Abbas film. Their relationship was hush-hush and it was, infact, this angle that resulted in films like Seeta Aur Geeta, Jugnu, Sholay, Azad and Raja Rani doing well at the box office. But after Hema wed Dharmendra (who was already married) their on-screen magic started dwindling. Though they didn’t get any good projects together, their individual careers did well.
Published in e+, Gulf News, Dubai (Feb. 5, 2009 issue)
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