That's Shahid Kapoor (seated) going through a gruelling schedule with his personal trainer Abbas Ali in London (centre). Your diarist has learnt that the baby-faced actor, who last flexed some mean muscles in Kaminey, is beefing up for the climax of his next film which is being shot in London.
The unsparing trainer has made the actor go through "parkour conditioning and sports specific jumps", which could explain his exasperated look at the beginning of the killer module. We are now convinced that if you want a body to die for, you better be prepared to die for it.
Love notes from the past
On August 31, the song Chitthi Aayee Hai from the Sanjay Dutt-starrer Naam will mark its 25th year. The song not only outlived the film, it also made Pankaj Udhas the household name that he is today.
The lyrics by Anand Bakshi (pictured here) struck a chord with all those Indians who had been away from home, and that made for a rather big number. Recalling the moments that made up the song, the singer revealed to this diarist, "There were two rehearsals at Mehboob studios, but something was missing.
A very young Sukhwinder Singh, who had run away from his home in Punjab to be a singer, sobbed like a child when he heard it. He said he missed his home and family.
He got to sing one line in the song finally." But Lakshmikant, who had composed the music, was not satisfied. "He put some tables in the middle of the studio where I sat down surrounded by musicians.
After I sang the song again he came running from the mixing studio and said, "You have created history." But his biggest compliment came from Raj Kapoor, who Udhas met on a flight. He says, "When I touched his feet, he said, "Beta, tumne kamaal kar diya." And this was even before the film released. Kapoorji was known for his refined sense of poetry and music, and to me it was the compliment of the highest order."
War over words
Controversy may have just killed J&K's only and fledgling literary festival. Harud - The Autumn Literature Festival was scheduled to be held in Srinagar in September this year. The festival aimed at brining together local, regional and national literature under one roof.
However, there were strong rumours that Salman Rushdie may be present at the festival, triggering a counter campaign that criticised the festival as an effort from the "repressive government" to silence the voices of dissent in the valley and pretend as if "all is normal in the valley." The counter campaign was spearheaded by eminent writers, filmmakers and author-activists and went viral on social networking sites.
It was potent enough to force the event managers - who also organise the Jaipur lit fest into calling off the event for now. In a press release, the organisers expressed deep regret at being targeted by a certain group and reiterated that they have not received any government funding for the event. And that, Salman Rushdie was never on their radar. This diarist fervently hopes Rushdie is not reading this.
Theme for a dream
With the wedding season just around the corner, planners are making a mad scramble to stitch up the biggest and fattest deals. This diarist has learnt that two high profile Mumbai families are headed to Udaipur.
One of them has extended the royal theme to the wedding cards which come with wax seals and customised illustrations in rich colours, designer Uttara Shah revealed to your diarist. The other is a lavish Goa wedding, with a theme that is inspired by the five elements.
Inspired by the Jindal gala at Florence, at least two other big-ticket weddings could be held in Europe, revealed celebrity wedding and event planner Gurleen Puri. "Vienna is turning out to be a top favourite besides the usual Far Eastern destinations," she said. Unfortunately, Kovalam and Goa may have had to lose out to their more glamorous cousin, Bali. Vijay Mallya's step daughter Laila (left) married childhood sweetheart Samar at a plush resort here, known for hosting a few grand NRI weddings every year.
This was preceded by model Tupur's wedding at another beach-front resort. For those who are not able to fly out their guests, apparently this year's biggest find is a resort in Mahabalipuram, which is seducing the well-heeled with attractive rates and infrastructure. Watch this space for more.
Tailpiece
We have had ample proof that the deceptively casual Abhay Deol knows how to work designer threads. And here comes some more. In the latest issue of a fashion magazine, Abhay looks razor-sharp in a Dior suit as he swings a stylish arm around his model-girlfriend Preeti Desai. What has got everyone talking is Abhay's new look.
While there is a definition in his jaw line, the weight loss may have just eaten away the famous dimples. Unless of course, it was just a rookie with a runaway software tool! |
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