God of all the Glam

Celebrity is no cakewalk — insiders talk about their 'spiritual connect'.

Their world spins on fame, fortune and the fast life. So, what form does spirituality acquire for the celebrity club? From the Bachchan family to Aishwarya Rai to Sridevi - they've all been spotted at temples during periods of crisis. But how does the swish-set retreat, even if temporarily, from the tinsel orbit to seek moments of tranquillity?

Pin-up boy Milind Soman dismisses this need. He reasons, "If you are engaged in an enjoyable activity, there's no disconnection with your soul. I've followed my heart, be it doing engineering, modelling, acting or reading a book in bed."

But for TV anchor Mandira Bedi, spirituality is an eclectic mix of "the Gayatri mantra and Novenas". She adds, "Life is a reality check. Watching the less fortunate, I have an attitude of gratitude. During my morning walk (Bandra), I go where my spirit drags me - to the Mount Mary Church or St Anthony's."

While designer Neeta Lulla finds her job "meditative", she "chants the Gayatri mantra" even as she swims. A realist, who realises the "fleeting nature of success," fun for her is "holding on to what is not going to last."

Few know that laughter king Shekhar Suman has a sombre side. He "allots half an hour daily to meditation." Suman, who has faced the trauma of losing a child says, "I get into a realm where I reflect on the positive and surrender to a force above." He does riyaaz and takes music lessons to seek inner strength.

While she symbolises the bohemian, Pooja Bedi follows 'Poojaism' which means, "Bettering one's self and imbibing the thoughts of philosophers and poets." Her connection-time is when she sits on her "terrace enveloped by an inexplicable energy." Her mantra - "Do not beg. Thank instead."

Television hottie, Iqbal Khan believes "spirituality is your private equation with God. I strike it through namaz and tilawat (recitation of the Quran). In silence I converse with Him. Allah understands English too!" While music-wiz Himesh Reshammiya discovers the divine in "raag-based" compositions, choreographer Vaibhanvi Merchant vouches, "The more I work, the closer I draw close to Him."

That 'work is worship' sure seems to be the simplest profundity here!