Saturday 4 June 2016

Not ashamed to pose in bikini: Ritika Gulati

Model Ritika Gulati, who is making her acting debut with upcoming rom-com film “Love Ke Funday", says she has never hesitated or felt ashamed of posing in a bikini as she has a “good figure”.

not-ashamed-to-pose-in-bikini-ritika-gulati
“I have never hesitated to pose in a bikini as I am not at all ashamed to flaunt myself in a bikini especially since I have a good figure. In any case, it is part and parcel of my work as an actress and everyone knows that in real life, I am not what I portray in my reel life,” Ritika said in a statement.

“Though initially some of my relatives were quite jittery when I appeared in a bikini, they relented later on and felt that it was okay. It happens with newcomers in the industry all the time but no one points out a finger at big actresses when they appear in bikinis,” she added.
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Fashion now much more democratic, say AM:PM designers

Ankur and Priyanka Modi's journey in the fashion world along with their brand AM:PM has a history of 12 years. Over the years, they have noticed that fashion nowadays is sought, bought and worn more to express oneself as compared to the days when Indian women were dictated by an "implicit convention".

fashion-now-much-more-democratic-say-am-pm-designers
“Until a few years back, Indian women were dictated by an implicit convention. They were dressing according to society’s expectation of them.

“Women today, on the other hand, are out there working, travelling and consuming the newest trends off international runways on their phones. Thanks to the world becoming flatter, fashion is now so much more democratic," Ankur, son of ace designer Anju Modi, told in an email interview.

The biggest change, he said, is the mind-shift.

"The modern Indian woman is dressing her personality. Thus, the fashion industry has become more dynamic, and we as designers have to constantly evolve to keep up with the same,” Ankur added.

His wife Priyanka, who is one-half of their widely popular AM:PM brand -- which specialises in luxury pret -- also feels that Indian textile is getting the right attention. However, she feels there is a lot more that needs to be done.

“Designers are always looking to innovate and evolve. Doing that with indigenous textiles or crafts is always a great idea. This drive of modernising Indian handicrafts will surely benefit weavers and craftsmen around the country, though impact on designers who are doing this to attract international attention, according to us, will be minimal.

Lip-syncing a rarity in films now: Amit Trivedi

Rajesh Khanna-Kishore Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan-Sudesh Bhonsle and Shah Rukh Khan-Abhijeet Bhattacharya are some of the famous actor-singer 'jodis', who gave Bollywood some of its hit songs. But this is a rarity nowadays, says musician Amit Trivedi, who feels it's because of a lack of songs which need lip-syncing.

He, however, says this is also giving musicians a chance to experiment with new voices.

lip-syncing-rarity-in-films-now-amit-trivedi
"People are more aware about the singer behind the actor these days. Earlier, they used to feel that the actor is singing his own song. Now people know that an actor is just doing lip-sync and actually there is a singer who is doing playback for him," Trivedi, who has composed music for films like "Dev.D", "Wake Up Sid", "Udaan" and "Queen".

"Also, I feel these days lip-syncing happens very rarely in films. On a very rare occasion do you see actors lip-syncing songs. So when there are no lip-sync songs, the picturisation is in a montage style, and songs then become a part of the film's narrative.

Women confident even sans make-up on first date: Survey

So, you thought women always ensure they doll up for their first date? A new survey indicates that most women are confident even if they step out without make-up for the special meeting.

women-confident-even-sans-make-up-on-first-date
The nationwide survey, done with 500 women, was conducted by dating app TrulyMadly in collaboration with MSM Box (a beauty subscription box brand). It was done to find out from the users, various first date beauty secrets.

As many as 51 per cent of the women respondents, who were from varied age groups, said they are confident to go make up free on their first date.

What makes Shraddha Kapoor glow?

Actress Shradha Kapoor says that that her long working hours have taken a toll on her skin and to bring back her lost glow, she started using a face diet of strawberries and peach on a daily basis.

what-makes-shraddha-kapoor-glow
"As an actress, my long filming hours and exposure to harsh elements can take a toll on my skin. I have noticed that my skin looks dull and dehydrated. And this is why I have taken up this amazing diet of strawberries and peaches to bring back my natural blush and glow," Shradha told.

"Using a daily cleanser that is rich in strawberry extract gives an instant glow to my face while the peach enhanced facewash gives my skin an immediate moisture boost. It’s the perfect cure for the hot summer,” she added.

TV actresses share monsoon fitness tips

tv-actresses-share-monsoon-fitness-tipsTV stars like Tejaswi Prakash Wayangankar and Roop Durgapal are in for some monsoon fun, but also have fitness on mind. Dancing and yoga are some of the ways they are trying to stay fit during monsoon.

Tejaswi: Monsoon can be enjoyed with music and dance. If you love to dance, dance like nobody is watching. This helps you keep yourself flexible and fit. This a fun tip to enjoy your indoor monsoon workout. You can also pick up some workout DVDs or surf the net for exercises that you can do at home.
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Big B in 'so much admiration' of new talent

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says he enjoys working with the new breed of actors and directors, and that he is amazed at how they can be "so perfect" in their first outing.

big-b-in-so-much-admiration-of-new-talent
The 73-year-old said: "I am in so much admiration of this talent. I am amazed how they can be so perfect in their very first outing. I can't find any mistakes. I am still learning. I make so many mistakes, but these people are so good. I really love being with them and see them work and how they approach their work. They are every relaxed."

The star, who is active on the digital platform, also seems to be impressed with bloggers. 

Girls drive themselves crazy to be perfect: Elle Fanning

Actress Elle Fanning, who turned 18 in April, says girls her age are trying too hard to be beautiful and faultless but are destroying themselves in the process.

girls-drive-themselves-crazy-to-be-perfect-elle-fanning"People's obsession with beauty and perfection, it can really destroy you and wanting perfection it's like 'But what is perfection?' It doesn't exist. Perfect doesn't exist, so you drive yourself crazy wanting it, bangshowbiz.com quoted Fanning as saying.

The younger sister to Hollywood actress Dakota Fanning nabbed a role in horror movie “The Neon Demon” as a teenage model who is targeted by her jealous peers.

Niall Horan joins new band

niall-horan-joins-new-band
One Direction singer Niall Horan has formed a new band called One Lad and 2 Dads, along with comedian John Bishop and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness.

Making the announcement on Twitter next to their first official band photograph, Bishop wrote: "New boy band -- me, Niall Horan and Paddy McGuinness... We are called One Lad and 2 Dads," reports mirror.co.uk. 
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Can't make films like 'Sultan', 'Dishoom': Anurag Kashyap

Director Anurag Kashyap says that he considers all his films commercial but cannot make films such as "Sultan" and "Dishoom", though he liked their trailers.

cant-make-films-like-sultan-dishoom
At the launch of the song "Qatl-E-Aam" from his upcoming film "Raman Raghav 2.0", Anurag was asked if he liked the trailer of superstar Salman Khan's "Sultan". 

"I saw the trailer and in every trailer you enjoy it. I even enjoyed 'Dishoom' a lot, but the problem with me is that I can't make them," he said.

The trailers of "Sultan" and Varun Dhawan, John Abraham starrer "Dishoom" were launched recently and have already registered views in millions. 
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Subhash Ghai's institute announces Lata Mangeshkar scholarship

Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai's film and media arts institute Whistling Woods International has announced a scholarship named after melody queen Lata Mangeshkar.

subhash-ghais-institute-announces-lata-mangeshkar-scholarshipThe "Taal" filmmaker, along with his daughter Meghna Ghai-Puri and a few students of his film institute, met the legendary singer at her residence on Thursday to invite her to receive the '2016 Whistling Woods Maestro Award' for her contribution to Indian cinema, at its ninth convocation on July 18.

"I am deeply touched by this great gesture of Subhash-ji, Meghna and their team. It’s an honour for me," Mangeshkar said in a statement.

Friday 3 June 2016

Travel, party and make style statements with your hair

Plan a solo trip or explore places with your friends and look stunning in all your travel photographs with picture perfect hairdos.

Head hair experts from Advanced Hair Studio shares how:

travel-party-and-make-style-statements-with-your-hair♦ Twisty ponytail: When travelling on long trips, simply tie your hair up in a ponytail to avoid messy hair. But to give it a twist, we suggest an easy and trendy version of it by twisting hair twice or thrice and then tying up in a ponytail. You can do it high or low as per your face structure.

♦ Natural waves: This is one of the best and easy hair styles for vacations. Simply keep the hair loose and apply some hair products like hair mousse on damp hair and let it dry naturally. This is the best hair style to be carried in hot and humid weather, without worrying about your hair getting frizzy.

How to choose sari fabric for summer

Staying away from saris due to summer heat? Go for fabrics that are soft and lightweight, says an expert.

how-to-choose-sari-fabric-for-summer
Sari expert Vineet Chhajer, creative director from Vineet's Sarees, suggests some summer-friendly sari fabrics:

♦ Malmal saris: They are mostly in demand and worn by women during summer as they are soft, light-weighted, and have a smooth texture.

♦ Viscose saris: The most important aspect of this fabric is that it can be easily dyed and it retains its colour for a longer duration. The texture of the fabric allows proper air passage because of the pores. 

♦ Cotton saris: Breezy, light-weight and absorbent, they are perfect for the hot and sweaty days. They easily absorb the sweat from your body and help your skin breathe making you feel cool.

Secret to successful ageing: Keep diet high on fibre

Eating the right amount of fibre from breads, cereals, and fruits can help us avoid disease and disability into old age -- a benchmark of successful ageing, says a study led by an Indian-origin researcher.

secret-to-successful-ageing-keep-dietUsing data compiled from the Blue Mountains Eye Study, a population-based study that examined a cohort of more than 1,600 adults aged 50 years and older for long-term sensory loss risk factors and systemic diseases, the researchers explored the relationship between carbohydrate nutrition and healthy aging.

They found that out of all the factors they examined -- which included a person's total carbohydrate intake, total fibre intake, glycemic index, glycemic load, and sugar intake -- it was the fibre that made the biggest difference to what the researchers termed "successful aging."

Teenagers find social media 'likes' as rewarding as chocolates

The same brain circuits that are activated by eating chocolate and winning money are activated when teenagers see large numbers of “likes” on their own photos or the photos of peers in a social network, new research has found.

teenagers-find-social-media-likes-as-chocolates
For the study, the researchers from the University of California - Los Angeles observed activation in the brain’s reward regions when teenagers saw their photos with a large number of likes, 

The 32 teenagers, ages 13-18, were told they were participating in a small social network similar to the popular photo-sharing app, Instagram. 

In an experiment, the researchers showed them 148 photographs on a computer screen for 12 minutes, including 40 photos that each teenager submitted, and analysed their brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI. 

Harvey B. Brown directs Jabong's campaign

Fashion ecommerce platform Jabong has collaborated with London-based film, creative and art director Harvey B. Brown to up its "Be You" positioning in its largest brand campaign so far.

harvey-b-brown-directs-jabongs-campaign
The campaign is a contemporary take on Jabong’s positioning of “Be You”, celebrating diversity. The campaign is led by a TV commercial directed by Brown. 

Harvey has earlier created a fusion of high fashion and film collaborations with popular singers such as George Michael and Elton John. 

He is known globally for his well-acclaimed commercials for Mont Blanc, Swatch, D&G, and closer home, for IndiGo Airlines and Incredible India.

Arijit Singh to sing song penned by Kapil Sibal

Singer #ArijitSingh, whose song was dropped from Salman Khan's "Sultan", has sung a song penned by former Union Minister Kapil Sibal and composed by Zitar maestro Niladri Kumar, for upcoming Bollywood film “Shorgul”.

arijit-singh-to-sing-song-penned-by-kapil-sibalOriginally Sibal had penned a Qawwali titled “Tu hi tu” for "Shorgul", but while working with Kumar on another project, Sibal decided to pen “Tere bina” as a promotional track for the socio-political movie. It was then that Arijit was roped in to croon the number.

Talking about the song, Sibal said in a statement: “'Tere Bina' is a track that will create a long lasting impact and touch many lives. I have spent close to nine months in developing this track alongwith Niladri whose music I'm very fond of.

"I also convinced him to use his Zitar for the track. I'm also grateful to Arijit Singh for coming on board at such short notice and giving it the right kind of musical treatment. The track is more of a social project that persuades the masses to take a stand on humanity and do whatever it takes to be the torchbearers of change."

My wedding was magical: Eva Longoria

my-wedding-was-magical-eva-longoriaActress #EvaLongoria says her wedding to Jos 'Pepe' Bastn was "magical" and the "funnest wedding" she has been to.

The "Desperate Housewives” star got married to Bastn late last month and can't believe how well the day and her subsequent honeymoon went, reports eonline.com. 

"(Our wedding) was so magical. We had so much fun as you can see from all the posts from everybody. It was the funniest wedding I had ever been to. I'm glad it was mine," Longoria said.

The 41-year-old actress hasn't ruled out the possibility of having children soon but says she is content with her "three beautiful step-kids" at the moment.

'Devdas' was journey of Dev to Das, 'Daasdev' the reverse: Sudhir Mishra

Director Sudhir Mishra says that his upcoming film "Daasdev" follows a contrary path to the plot of the classic novel "Devdas", as the character in his film instead of "going from Dev to Das, goes from Das to Dev".

devdas-was-journey-of-dev-to-das-daasdev-the-reverse-sudhir-mishra"I am making 'Daasdev'; I've played around 'Devdas' in it. If in the story of 'Devdas', you see the journey of Dev becoming a 'das' (slave/servant), then this is the journey from Das to Dev. My Devdas is not that much of a loser; he doesn't get stuck in his difficulties but rather evolves out of it," Mishra said at the event to promote Bihar as a potential destination for film shoots.

Akshay hated doing back-to-back action films

akshay-hated-doing-back-to-back-action-filmsSuperstar #AkshayKumar says that he would hate the feeling of going on the sets when he was doing back-to-back action films and that's why he considers it important to break away from genres.

At a promotional event for his next film "Housefull 3", Akshay was asked which is the most difficult genre and which genre he enjoys the most. "Obviously comedy is the most difficult. But I enjoy everything," he said. 

"I just want to give away comedy for a while because how long can you do one genre. You can do it for 3-5 months, then you start getting bored of it. Like when I used to do a lot of action films, I used to actually feel bad about having to go every day and do action films. I needed a change," the actor added.

Akshay was known as an 'action star' during the 90s when he featured in action movies like "Mohra" and "Main Khiladi Tu Anari". But then he did "Hera Pheri" and many comedy films followed. 

Fatherhood has made Simon Cowell a softer judge

Music mogul Simon Cowell feels that parenthood has made him more compassionate when it comes to being a talent show judge.

The 56-year-old was known for his tough stance as a judge on “The X Factor” and “American Idol”, but since his two-year-old son Eric -- who he has with girlfriend Lauren Silverman -- was born, Cowell says he goes easier on contestants because he feels "different" now.

fatherhood-has-made-simon-cowell-softer-judge
“Lauren is great. And there's no question when you actually have a kid, it does make you feel different because you understand how you would feel if it was your son up there,” Cowell told people.com.

“I'm very conscious that the kids who audition for AGT ('America's Got Talent') want to be there, they are not being pushed into it, and that they are having a great day out, otherwise we wouldn't see them,” he added.

Michael Bay 'truly respects' Kate Beckinsale

Filmmaker Michael Bay says he "truly respects" actress Kate Beckinsale.

Bay has come under fire after Beckinsale recently revealed he advised her to lose weight to star as Nurse Lt. Evelyn Johnson in his 2001 drama “Pearl Harbor”, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

michael-bay-truly-respects-kate-BeckinsaleBut he has now spoken out to defend himself, saying Beckinsale's "funny story" has been taken out of context and he never had a problem with her body.

He wrote on his website: “Kate and I are friendly. She is a fantastic actress, very funny, witty lady, sassy, speaks her mind, and I truly respect her. That's why she has come to so many of my Christmas parties and Birthday parties.

Thursday 2 June 2016

Missing On A Weekend’ receive thunderous response at Matunga Gujarati Club

The team of upcoming investigative thriller film ‘Missing On A Weekend’ recently showcased their hard-hitting trailer at the popular Matunga Gujarati Club here, where the large crowd assembled gave their thumbs up to the film.

missing-on-weekend-receive-thunderous-response-at-matunga-gujarati-clubThe cast of the film led by Pavan Malhotra, singer Hariharan’s son Karan, television actor Dishank Arora and other actors along with the director Abhishek Jawkar were present at the club. 

The fast-paced trailer of the thriller was showcased on the big screens and the big crowd greeted it with a rousing applause. Numerous people gathered even spoke with the Jawkar and Pavan Malhotra complimenting them for the story of the film.  

Pavan Malhotra said, “‘Missing On A Weekend’ is not some huge film, made of 100 crores with a publicity of 50 crores. It’s a whodunit thriller. I genuinely feel that we have attempted to narrate a very good story. 

Indulge in healthy, fruity delights to beat the heat

As the mercury continues to soar in the capital, food aficionados can now indulge in fruity delights with a specially crafted menu boasting of savoury desserts and coolers that aim to "encourage healthy eating".

indulge-in-healthy-fruity-delights-to-beat-the-heatCurated by chef Namrata Sanwal of luxury boutique hotel The Park, the menu boasts of delicious desserts like the Honey and Melon Parafait, Jamun Brule and Litchi Mousse among others.

The desserts will be finalised and will be included in the menu of Cha Bar cafe here by next month.

If you are looking to incorporate summer fruits into your diet in a novel way, then this menu is something that you should try.

Sonu Sood gets into trilingual mode

After wrapping up Sino-Indian film "Kung Fu Yoga", Sonu Sood is in a "trilingual" zone.

sonu-sood-gets-into-trilingual-modeThe actor says he had a great time shooting for his next 'trilingual' project with Farah Khan, Prabhudheva, and Vijay. 

The 42-year-old actor took to Twitter to update his fans and followers about his next project. However, the actor didn’t reveal much about the venture. 

“When all my the directors direct me. Had super fun shooting for my next trilingual... Farah Khan, Prabhudheva, Vijay," he shared.

Sonu also shared a selfie with the trio. He can be seen wearing a gold blingy shirt along with shades. 

Meanwhile, he will soon be seen in "Kung Fu Yoga" -- a multi-lingual action-adventure film directed by Stanley Tong. 
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Riteish, Genelia again blessed with son

Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh and his wife Genelia D'Souza have welcomed their second son, and chose to break the news to the world in an innovative way. Meanwhile, their friends from the film fraternity sent in their love for their new bundle of joy.

riteish-genelia-again-blessed-with-sonOn Wednesday, Riteish took to Twitter, and shared an image of his elder son Riaan, with the caption: “Hey guys, my Aai and Baba just gifted me a little brother. Now all my toys are his...- Love Riaan.”

Following this, a string of congratulatory messages came in from names like Boman Irani, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Bipasha Basu and more.

'Love Ke Funday' to release in July

Romantic comedy "Love Ke Funday", a film on today’s youth, will hit theatres in July.

Produced by FRV Big Business Entertainment Private Limited by Faaiz Anwar and Prem Prakash Gupta and written and directed by newcomer Indervesh Yogee, the film revolves around four heroes and four heroines -- one is a married couple while another pair is in a live-in relationship. And then there are two bachelors who keep changing their girlfriends.

love-ke-funday-to-release-in-julyThe film, with music by Prakash Prabhakar and Faran Faaiz, has dialogues with a humorous punch too.

"It is a film on today’s youth and hence, college-going boys and girls will be able to identify themselves with each and every character on the screen, especially as it is a film about them and has been presented with a sense of inherent humour," Yogee said in a statement.

Bollywood comedian Razak Khan dead

Bollywood comedian Razak Khan, known for his quirky roles like Ninja Chacha, Popat and Babu Bisleri, breathed his last here following a heart attack. Celebrities like Anurag Kashyap, Rishi Kapoor and Hansal Mehta mourned his sudden death and remembered him for his lively spirit.

bollywood-comedian-razak-khan-deadRazak's brother Shehzad Khan made the announcement in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning, triggering a wave of condolences on social networking sites.

Razak suffered a massive heart attack around 12.30 a.m. on Wednesday. The funeral will be performed at the Nariyalwadi cemetery in Byculla on Thursday afternoon.

'Dishoom' trailer out, promises lot of action

The trailer of Rohit Dhawan directorial "Dishoom" is out and, looking at it, one can expect lot of action in the Varun Dhawan, John Abraham and Jacqueline Fernandez-starrer film.

dishoom-trailer-out-promises-lot-of-actionVarun took to his Twitter handle on Wednesday to share the youtube link of the trailer. He tweeted: "Here we go, 'Dishoom'".

The trailer starts with a cricket pitch with Indian batsman walking towards it. John is essaying the role of Kabir Shergill, a Special Task Force agent who seems to be an ace at his job in the more than three-minute-long trailer.

Sharon Stone isn't interested in 'casual sex'

Actress Sharon Stone says she doesn't date a lot nowadays as she has no interest in "having sex with a stranger".

sharon-stone-isnt-interested-in-casual-sexThe 58-year-old -- who has been married twice -- says her life is "full", reports femalefirst.co.uk. 

"Obviously it's pretty easy to get a date. But to me, my life is so full. I don't want to take time out to just go on a date, or to just have sex with a stranger," Stone told AARP The Magazine. 

"At this point, I get more satisfaction -- physically, spiritually, emotionally -- from a smile, a laugh, a warm conversation or a really sexy look. You know the way a man can look at you? Where you know he really sees you? I don't want to be with someone unless it's like that," she added. 

Stress can lead to structural changes in brain

Chronic stress can make us worn-out, anxious and depressed as well as also lead to structural changes in the brain, finds a new study that also developed a new drug that might help in preventing these changes.

The findings showed that when mice experienced prolonged stress, the amygdala -- a part of the brain that regulates basic emotions, such as fear and anxiety -- retracts. 

stress-can-lead-to-structural-changes-in-brainIn the medial amygdala, the neuronal branches, which form crucial connections to other parts of the brain, appeared to shrink. 

Such shrinking can harm the brain, distorting its ability to adapt to new experiences, leaving it trapped in a state of anxiety or depression, the researchers said.

"When we took a closer look at three regions within amygdala, we found that neurons within one, the medial amygdala, retract as a result of chronic stress,” said lead author Carla Nasca, post doctoral researcher at Rockefeller University in the US.

Be monsoon-ready with skin, haircare tips

With monsoon blues kicking in soon, it’s time to show your skin and hair some extra love and care. From using sunscreen even on cloudy days, regular exfoliation to moisturizing even in the rains can do wonders to your beauty, says an expert.

Penning down a few seasonal tips for the upcoming months, Sangeeta Velaskar, Vice President and Head, Medical Services and R&D, Kaya Limited, tells you how to fight the skin and hair battles with an effective regime: 

Skin: 

Keep using the sunscreen (SPF 30) even on cloudy days for protection from harmful radiation. You could also opt for a sweat-proof sunscreen to ensure that the humidity in the air doesn’t wear the sunscreen off

be-monsoon-ready-with-skin-haircare-tips
Moisturising in the rains is as important as it is in summer, use a non-comedogenic moisturizer for oily skin to prevent acne breakouts and a light lotion-based moisturizer for dry and combination skin

Acne loves the sultry season and the moist weather acts as a catalyst for bacteria build-up. Use a salicyclic acid-based cleanser every day and follow it up with an alcohol-free toner to unclog the pores

Opinions based on morality may resist change

Labelling people's opinions as based on morality are likely to make them more resistant to change, finds a new study suggesting that morality had a lot more impact than the values of tradition and equality.

opinions-based-on-morality-may-resist-changeThe findings showed that people were more likely to act on an opinion - what psychologists call an attitude. If it is labelled as moral they were more resistant to attempts to change their mind on that subject.

"The perception that an attitude we hold is based on morality is enough to strengthen it," said lead author Andrew Luttrell, doctoral student at The Ohio State University, in the US.

"For many people, morality implies a universality, an ultimate truth. It is a conviction that is not easily changed." Luttrell said.

Also, it was easy to lead people into thinking their views were based on moral principles, by using the 'moral' label.

It's raining noodles in Stellar

A warm bowl of noodle soup in the cold days of December or a spicy cold noodle salad to beat the heat in the summer, noodles in all forms are almost everybody's comfort food and what would be better than a festival that celebrates its versatality.

its-raining-noodles-in-stellarPan-Asian eatery Stellar, located in one of the finest fiver-stars in the national capital, Hotel Ashok, is hosting the Noodle Festival until June 30.

The festival offers noodle-based salads, appetizers and entrees.

To start off, we were given a bowl of kimchi - fermented Korean side dish made of raw cabbage, along with three types of sauces : burnt sesame, java and coriander. This was quickly followed by our first dish and also the star of our 'noodle' journey, a hot bowl of Chinese-style chicken and mushroom noodle soup.

Wednesday 1 June 2016

I am a filmmaker as long as I am Independent: Shekhar Kapur

Noted filmmaker Shekhar Kapur terms himself an independent filmmaker and says that he is a filmmaker as long as he is independent.

i-am-filmmaker-as-long-as-i-am-independent-shekhar-kapur"I am a filmmaker. I am independent and I am a filmmaker as long as I am independent. The day I lose my independence, I'm becoming somebody else's servant," Kapur said.

Shekhar Kapur is one of the most acclaimed directors in the country. He is one of the few directors to have also showcased his immense potential on an international level, having directed films like 'Elizabeth', 'The Four Feathers' and 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age' along with a short film and one part of an anthology.

Brooks Brothers set to dress up Noida's chic men

The classic American clothing brand Brooks Brothers has opened its first Red Fleece by Brooks Brothers store here.

brooks-brothers-set-to-dress-up-noidas-chic-men
The store is spread over 2,000 sq.ft. area on the ground floor of Mall of India, Noida and offers both classic and contemporary menswear wardrobe solutions.

Red Fleece by Brooks Brothers, a youthful take on the classic Brooks Brothers style, is rooted in tradition. 

Anand Nair, Business Head, Brooks Brothers India, said in a statement: “As America's oldest retailer, Brooks Brothers has long been a fashion innovator. We are excited to bring Red Fleece by Brooks Brothers to Noida. 

'World Music Day' back with second edition

Gear up for a multi-city musical gala as Artist Aloud, a one-stop destination for talent and independent content, is back with the second edition of “World Music Day” on June 19.

world-music-day-back-with-second-edition
To be celebrated in India’s only musically-themed restaurant chain Hard Rock Café, this year’s event promises to be bigger, better and something like never before, said a statement.

There will be over 40 artistes who will be performing in more than 15 genres across six cities and seven venues of Hard Rock Café across the country with 10 Headlining Acts.

'Dance + Season 2' stage moves to a water park

dance-season-2-stage-moves-to-water-park
In a bid to give a unique feel to the audience, the makers of the upcoming second season of “Dance +” have decided to shoot the first episode of the dance reality show at a water park here.

“As it is a grand season this time, we are taking a step further and are planning to shoot the first episode at Aquamagica. Talks are on for the arrangements and logistics and all our mentors are kicked about the idea,” said a source close to the production house.

Ace choreographer-filmmaker Remo D’Souza, who won a National Film Award for Best Choreography for the song “Deewani Mastani” from “Bajirao Mastani”, is returning on the show as the Super Judge.
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Kim helps daughter overcome her fear of Snapchat

kim-helps-daughter-overcome-her-fear-of-Snapchat
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has happily told her Snapchat followers that her daughter North is no longer 'afraid' to get involved with the app.

Over the past few weeks, the 35-year-old has done everything to twist her daughter's arm, such as encouraging her to take part in a playful face swap with pigs, cats and dogs images.

But North hasn't been thrilled about taking part - until now that is.

A new post shows the mother-daughter combo sat side-by-side with superimposed flowers in their hair.

It seems North loved the nifty little edit because she had the biggest smile on her face on the image, reports mirror.co.uk.

Painkillers may extend duration of chronic pain

The short-term decision to take painkillers can have devastating consequences of making pain worse and longer lasting, warns new research.

The findings could explain the explosion of painkiller addiction in the past few decades.

painkillers-may-extend-duration-of-chronic-pain"We are showing for the first time that even a brief exposure to opioids can have long-term negative effects on pain," said lead researcher Peter Grace, assistant research professor at University of Colorado Boulder in the US.

The researchers found that opioids like morphine paradoxically cause an increase in chronic pain in lab rats.

The results suggest that the recent escalation of opioid prescriptions in humans may be a contributor to chronic pain, Grace said.

Running better than cycling for long-term bone health

Exercise that puts greater strain on bones, like running, may help in improving bone health more effectively than non-weight bearing activities like cycling, finds a new study.

running-better-than-cycling-for-long-term-bone-health"Normal human beings need to exercise moderately to maintain health. However, those at risk of weaker bones need to take up running rather than swimming or cycling," said lead author Giovanni Lombardi from Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi in Italy.

The researchers measured glucagon, leptin and insulin -- hormones involved in regulating metabolism -- as well as levels of osteocalcin and P1NP (proteins associated with bone formation) in 17 trained runners before and after a 65-km mountain ultramarathon run.

Tuesday 31 May 2016

India Kids Fashion Week to start from June 3

The fourth edition of India Kids Fashion Week (IKFW) will start on June 3 here. The three-day fashion extravaganza for children will be held at Phoenix Market City.

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The event will showcase kidswear collection from some known brands and designers, with Archana Kochhar as the grand finale designer, said a statement.

Some of the brands and designers who will showcase their collections at this edition are Max, My Little Piggy, Mini-Me, Varsha Showering Trends, Kriti Rathore, 612 League, AZ Couture, GAP Kids, Samta & Shruti Studio, Free Sparrow Kids, Many Frocks, Nauti Nati, Lil' Angels, The Children's Place, Sharad Raghav, Abhipri - The Jodhpur Paridhan, Sugar Candy, Moriko Organic, Pinkcow, ERA Kids and OKS Boys. 

Premature birth may up osteoporosis risk in adulthood

Babies born prematurely are at an increased risk of having brittle bones in adulthood, says a new study adding that low birth weight may also raise the risk of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and brittle.

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During the last few weeks of pregnancy, the mother's body transfers calcium to the growing foetus to boost its bone development. 

But, when a baby is born premature, this transfer gets interrupted resulting in weaker bones in later life.

The findings showed that adults those who were born prematurely have lower peak bone mass -- a major determinant of future osteoporosis -- compared to those who were born in full term.

However, adults who were born small for their gestational age at term also had lower bone mass than adults who were born with normal weight at term.

Anja Rubik uses eye shadow as lip line

Model Anja Rubik uses eye shadow as lip liner and avoids using waterproof make-up because she struggles to remove it.

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Speaking to Stylist magazine about the cosmetic item she supplements for her lipstick, Rubik said: "If I've forgotten my lip liner, I use my favourite taupe powder eye shadow instead. 

"I put a tiny bit of Burberry's Eye Colour Silk in Almond on a lip brush and use it to trace the outside of my lips. It creates a shadow that makes the lips seem a lot fuller."

LimeRoad aims to revolutionise online shopping for men

LimeRoad, the content-meets-commerce lifestyle platform in India that revolutionized style discovery for women, on Monday announced the launch of LimeRoad for Men.

limeroad-aims-to-revolutionise-online-shopping-for-men
It includes 23 sub-categories of apparel and accessories from over 250 Indian and international brands, together with tens of thousands of innovatively styled looks like style-like-bhai, shirts and sneakers, island style, cheeky graphics and minimal prints.

“Our mission is to build India’s most extensive discovery platform, driven by unique engaging content. We started out solving the problem first for women, and tackled the most fragmented of supplier and option ranges, enabling women to discover local and global trends like ikat, gota patti, palazzos or fringes and botanical prints, pretty much as soon as they are first seen," LimeRoad founder and CEO Suchi Mukherjee said in a statement. 

Daniel Radcliffe's childhood home up for sale

"Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe's childhood home is reportedly up for sale for a whopping $2.12 million.

daniel-radcliffes-childhood-home-up-for-sale
Located in Fulham, southwest London, the four-bedroom family home is listed on residential property specialist website Chestertons, according to The Times. 

The estate agents say the renovated property has been "designed with great flair and style", reports digitalspy.com. 

Katy Perry's Twitter account hacked

Singer Katy Perry's Twitter account, which has 89 million followers, has been hacked some nasty and vulgar tweets posted.

katy-perrys-twitter-account-hacked
The hackers managed to gain access to her account and posted a series of random tweets on her timeline, reports aceshowbiz.com. 

They continued posting confusing tweets, including a post referring to her longstanding feud with singer Taylor Swift. 

The hackers wrote, "Miss you baby," while tagging Swift's Twitter account. Other posts, including one aimed at YouTube celebrity Keemstar, featured offensive language. 

Monday 30 May 2016

Sachin launches clothing brand, Riteish walks the ramp for it

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday launched his premium menswear and and accessories brand, and film star Riteish Deshmukh walked the ramp for it.

sachin-launches-clothing-brand
About his brand True Blue, Sachin said, "In the last 24 years if I wasn't in whites on the field, I was in blues. Blue happens to be my favourite colour as well. So I thought, I might as well take that off the field and share that with people who have supported me for so many years and give them the opportunity to wear something which is of my taste, what I like."


Numerous models exhibited the brand's collection on a ramp show, but it was Riteish who stole the limelight with his ramp walk. Dressed in a maroon Nehru jacket on a white shirt, with khaki trousers, Riteish looked stylish sporting a beard and ponytail.
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Nicole Scherzinger signs huge deal for 'The X Factor' return

Singer Nicole Scherzinger has reportedly signed a million-pound deal confirming her return to the popular British show “The X Factor”.

nicole-scherzinger-signs-huge-deal-for-the-x-factor-returnAccording to a source, Scherzinger quit the Broadway run of “Cats” to make her talent show comeback, reports mirror.co.uk.

“Simon (Cowell) thinks Nicole is a great asset to the show and is delighted he was able to sign her up, despite the commitments she previously had elsewhere,” The Sun newspaper quoted the source as saying.
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Shehla Khan's spring 2016 collection celebrates Indian craftsmanship


shehla-khans-spring-2016-collection-celebrates-indian-craftsmanshipShehla Khan, designer to some of the Bollywood superstars including Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Jacqueline Fernandez, has come up with the spring 2016 collection that pays an ode to Indian craftsmanship using the finest textiles.

“The major USP of the collection is the intricate embroidery, digital printing and other special techniques; with the help of the genius of Indian craftsmanship and using the finest textiles,” said the designer in a statement.

With sensuous gowns to short dresses, the collection is a perfect amalgamation of richness and modernity. 

The range also displays a spectrum of colours and is a perfect choice for day wear and evenings out.

“This collection is sensual, sophisticated and designed to give savvy women a new authentic poise. It makes on the whole, an understated statement of elegance and exudes rich fabrics in classic colour palettes, embellished with exquisite trims and design details in every piece.