Bollywood Gallery #8 - Page 6

B on jour my gooseberry gateaux. What is this duniya vuniya coming to? Just back from a month-long out- door of Hey Baby, Fardeen Khan is the topic of conversa- tion among his yaars-dosts (not many left on this earth.. but still). Don't think it's the after effects of working in the Aus- tralian weather, but his friends are debating about his weight. Does he want to become an Adnan Sami or what? While his family think he's lost pounds, others feel he's put on kilos. Okay okay, I know mar- riage agrees with him but shouldn't wife Natasha know that he's in a profession hat requires looks.. before feed- ing him buttered toasts, malai maar ke.

I really wanna know what is it about Priyanka Chopra that she's in such a demand? I hear after shooting for Drona in Bikan- er, she just took off to Lon- don last night. Seems she's bonded really well with pro- ducer Shrishti Behl. Lady Nirmata and PC will stick together for some carnival show with Shahid Kapur, Esha Deol and even Himesh Resham- miya over the weekend. Wonder how director Goldie Behl will adjust his Drona schedule to her jug- gling dates.. or shouldn't I ask such questions?

M ohit Ahlawat could well qualify as the next angry young man. These days he's breathing fire at director types like Ramesh Katkar. His close friend tells me that the magnanimous Mohit has been helping Ramesh for quite some time now, including footing all his bills. But after a tiff, Ramesh Katkar has returned dum dabakar to Ram Gopal Varma and signed the mentor's newest blue-eyed boy Prashant Raj. And this has only widened the divide between RGV and Mohit. "It's a war- like situation between them," says a khabri. Trust me to get you the details from their battlefield dahlings.

H e is the man who made the rediscovery of the Mahatma fashionable among Gen Z in its latter day avatar, 'Gandhigiri'. But Rajkumar Hirani, director of the laugh riot Lage Raho Munnabhai, insists that he is "a simple man who just loves his work." The balancing act: "I certainly want to convey a social message, but with- out compromising on entertainment," he asserts. But this does not take any- thing away from the director who is all set to complete the hat-trick with Munnabhai Chale Amerika. "The film will be a comment on the East-West divide and how each is perceived." While Sanjay Dutt and Arshad War- si will take the story forward, Hirani plans to cast an American actress for the female lead. Road ahead: Although Munnabhai films have turned out to be a huge phe- nomenon, the director plans to move beyond the Munnabhai genre. "I am doing another film under the Vidhu Vinod Chopra banner, which will take a look at the education system wi- th the humour quotient intact." True lies? Lage Raho... is a major co- ntender for most of the prestigious awards this year, pitted against the blockbuster Rang De Basanti. So is there a rivalry? "Not at all. Honestly, I will not be disappointed if I don't get any award," he says. Honest, indeed!

H e is a superhero. He's had a rocking year in the busi- ness.. He can dance.. he can fly and boy… he can create dhoom... And now Hrithik Roshan's on Koffee with Karan, yet again. And accomanying her Krissh co-star on his coffee date is super hot Priyanka Chopra. Catch the action as the two chat up with Karan Johar. Excerpts from the chat: Karan: Much doubted friendship with Kareena Kapoor no longer exists .. Priyanka: Of course it does Karan: You were spotted .. with various dinners .. going out in a group .. Shahid, you, her and of course your good friend Harman .. you'll used to go out a lot .. and now that group seems to have dis- persed Priyanka: No .. it's just that we don't have the time .. In fact Shahid and me are neighbours.. I have brought a house where he lives … I will be seeing a lot of him Karan: I asked her this question .. you want to know what she said .. Priyanka: I think it will be pretty much the same.. unless there is something else Karan: Well I asked her … I said you know ... are you all close … she said we are not anymore … Priyanka: We used to go on holidays..we don't any- more.. Karan: She said we are not .. and it rather be like this.. as acquaintances than friends.. Has any water flown below this bridge… for her to have said this … Priyanka: I have no idea .. where that came from .. Karan: She said that she likes you.. you are a nice girl..but it's best to keep dis- tance .. Priyanka: It's her choice .. I am not pouncing on her either… laughs .. Karan: You are getting there babes. Priyanka: Thanks .. Well .. honestly .. guys I think have a lot more camaraderie .. they can be a lot more chilled out somehow .. . but girls there's always For me it was new to feel that .. you're friends in a second .. and sud- denly things change .. which, I don't know why … and I just let it be .. it doesn't matter .. (On Koffee with Karan, on Star One and Star World, at 9 pm)

T he world of fashion is look- ing east – even effant terri- bles Galliano looked the far East, after all. That said, what is back this season is 'India', or Hin- dustani influences and weaves finding a place on the international runway. Here's taking a look at some of the Indian weaves in vogue this season. Ikat (Orissa) A popular weave this season, it's a style from Orissa. It uses a dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft before the threads are woven. Starting from a price of Rs. 450, the material can be fash- ioned into kurtas, dupattas, saree's to furnishings, is among all. Bodo (Assam) The name comes from the Bodo tribe who rear their own silkworms for the fabric. Most women weave their own dokhnas (the traditional dress of the Bodo women) and shawls. Its price high due to the thick cotton. Bodo kurtas are in style. Chanderi (Madhya Pradesh) Chanderi is a light woven cloth, usu- ally in muted pastel colours. Used for sarees and dupattas it is a specialised weave in pure cotton. However, often shop-owners refer to light and see through cloth as Chanderi, in the process selling sub- standard synthetic mixed Chanderi for low prices. The prices of real Chanderi sarees start from Rs 1,200. Narayan Pet (Maharashtra) A checkered weave this is used to make sarees and dupattas and is priced as low as Rs.650 for a saree. Paithani (Maharashtra) Named after the place of their origin (Paithan), these sarees use silk-pat- terned brocade work instead of metal. Real Paithani is hand woven pure silk and gold/silver and are priced at Rs 8,000 and above. Kanjeevaram (Tamil Nadu) This represents the best of the Indian tex- tiles' heritage and is known for its unmatched craftsmanship and grandeur of the gold thread work and quaint motifs. Bold and bright colour are a hallmark of Kanjeevaram silk Gadwal The style is influ- enced by the Banarasi weaves. The ground of the saree is cotton, they have a loosely attached silk border. Copper or gold-dipped zari is generally used in these sarees. The motifs of the murru- gan (peacock) and the rudraksh are popular. Prices start at Rs 2,500. Kota Doria (Rajasthan) A gossamer mesh-like weave kota dorias are woven in pure cotton. The soft cloth has an airy feel. As we weave the story of the Indian Woven fabric we hope that the support and the respect, which the Indian arti- san has earned, may continue to live and not become a dying art.