Author: #TIPEntertainment

Gwyneth Paltrow is reportedly pondering overher decision of “consciously uncoupling” withChris Martin after 10 years of marriage.The Academy Award winning actress told Harper’sBazaar U.K. in an interview that there were timeswhen she thought about it that it would have beenbetter if they had stayed married, which was alwayswhat their children wanted, E! Online reported.The 42-year-old actress, who shares two children withthe Coldplay singer, asserted that it was painful, itwas difficult and they had made a lot of mistakes butshe was proud of them for working through so muchstuff together and not blaming and shaming.Paltrow and Martin wed in a secret ceremony at theSanta Barbara courthouse in 2003, when Gwynethwas several months pregnant with their eldest child,daughter Apple, who is now 10-years-old.

Shraddha Kapoor had heard a lot aboutthe ‘O’ Show in Las Vegas, but eventhough she had a very hecticschedule, she made sure to catch it on herfirst day off.The young actor has been currentlyshooting with the team of ABCD 2 in LasVegas whereher schedule has been verygrueling. On her first day off, Shraddhawent to see the ‘O’ show. ‘O’ is a waterthemedstage. It is a group of 85 performerswhich includes international acrobats,synchronized swimmers and divers. Some ofthem are former Olympic athletes. The showis extremely famous and very spectacularand since Shraddha is essaying the role of adancer in ABCD 2, she was very keen towatch the show. She thoroughly enjoyed theshow and was thrilled with the experience,her spokesperson confirmed

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif looked every bit the loved-up couple at their Christmas bash on Saturday. This had set off rumours that the actor may introduce his live-in partner as the ‘next Mrs Kapoor’ at the upcoming annual Kapoor luncheon at Shashi Kapoor’s Juhu house. Mirror has now learnt that Ranbir’s ladylove will give the big Christmas get-together a miss. Instead of spending the holiday in the warm climes of Mumbai, Katrina will have a white Christmas in London. “Katrina has left for London to be with her mom and sisters for Christmas. Although initially the plan was to join the Kapoors for their yearly bash, she later decided to spend the holidays with her family in the UK.” However, the source added, “Don’t be surprised if you see RK in London for New Year’s as the couple were toying with the idea of a small break together since it has been a hectic year for both of them.” On Christmas each year, Krishna Raj Kapoor along with her sons Rishi, Randhir and Rajeev, daughters Ritu and Reema and their families gather at Shashi Kapoor’s residence for a luncheon hosted by Shashi’s children Kunal and Sanjana.

Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh, Rajput, Saurabh Shukla, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani
Direction: Rajkumar Hirani
Genre: Drama
Duration: 2 hours 33 minutes

Story: An alien lands on earth but loses his remote to go home. Does ‘PK’ return – and as he navigates the human world, what does he gain and lose?

Review: Arriving on earth, an alien (Aamir) is immediately robbed of the only thing he’s wearing, the remote via which he can go home. Knowing nothing of human ways, language, clothing or lies, the alien searches desperately for his remote, his antics bizarre enough for people to ask if he’s ‘pee kay’ or drunk. One day, ‘PK’ meets Jaggu (Anushka), a TV reporter who helps him. Can they find PK’s remote, now with god-man Tapasvi ji (Shukla)? And do PK and Jaggu also find love? PK is as much a philosophy as a film. It takes the ‘stranded alien’ theme, familiar from classics like ET, but tells the tale equally from the lonely alien’s eyes – at times, evoking the beautiful story The Little Prince – as from his human narrator’s. Starting with the alien’s desperation, PK captures the fears and falsehoods humans weave around faith. When PK decides to pray for his remote, he’s bewildered about whom to and how to pray. PK features brave scenes – money extracted at temples, coconuts offered in confusion at a church, godmen doling out tortuous advice – and strong lines, including a Muslim girl bravely asserting, “Itna chota nahin ho sakta hamara khuda, ki use hamare school jaane pe aitraaz ho.” Capturing faith whipped into hate, PK’s sterling message, directed sensitively, stands out. As does Aamir Khan as the wide-eyed alien bemused by human life, a paan-chomping Chaplin from outer space, liked by rustic Bhairon Singh (Sanjay Dutt in a warming cameo). PK’s simplicity contrasts with Jaggu’s complicated life, heartbroken after she thinks her Pakistani boyfriend Sarfaraz (Sushant) ditched her in chocolate-box Belgium. Tapasvi warned Jaggu’s father (Parikshet Sahani) that her Muslim lover would betray her – does PK prove him wrong? Anushka presents a sprightly show while Boman Irani stands out as a TV channel head. Some supporting acts and special effects could’ve been sharper though while at points, editor Raju Hirani should’ve been sterner with director Raju Hirani in trimming tighter scenes. Between gods, frauds, love and bombs, there are multiple threads here. Some distract, others impact, like PK hilariously dazed by humans hiding when they make out – except when they announce it with band-baaja on their wedding day.

The hot and sizzling Sunny Leone turns Sexy Santa this Christmas on zoOm. For all those gearing up for a cold X’-Mas, hold on, as Bollywood’s baby doll is sure to make it a red hot one in her sexy Santa avatar. And like a perfect Santa, she will bring along her bag of goodies for the B-town lovelies. alking about turning Santa, Sunny said, “I actually felt like Santa on the gorgeous sets, and not only was I sexy, I was cutely silly too. This is a little gift for all my lovely fans.” On the show, Sunny will also reveal the channel’s list of ‘What’s Sexy in 2014’. Get set to move and groove with her, as she peps up your mornings with chartbusters (all of Christmas week) on music show Sunny Christmas. Of course, Santa will give us a peek-a-boo into her exclusive X-Mas bash as well, where the hottest Bollywood stars will do a role-play. Watch out for sexy Santa on Christmas eve at 8 pm, and on Christmas day at 7.30 pm on zoOm.

Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen calls pop diva Madonna her style icon. The 39-year-old former Miss Universe was the showstopper for designer Namrata Joshipura at the Blender’s Pride fashion tour here. “I love Madonna. She is my icon as I feel her music is her style quotient,” said Sushmita.

Donning a glass-embroidered dress, the
‘Filhaal…’ actress said people automatically look stylish when they are successful.
“People are stylish when they are successful in every walk of life,” said the mother-of-two. Sushmita, who walked the ramp in the city after a long time, said she loves coming back to her ‘homecity’.

“I enjoy speaking in Bengali. To me Kolkata is home.”

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif made headlines when they decided to move in together and it is rumoured that the duo has recently moved in together in their Carter Road apartment. With their bold move, they seem to have set an example of sorts for celebrity couples for whom the institution of marriage is too old school. Following in their footsteps, it is being reported that Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are also planning to move in together. According to a report, the two are rather serious about each other and have decided to take it to the next level. Reportedly, Virat had met Anushka’s parents who approved of him. The two want to spend more time with each other and hence are deciding to rent out an apartment near Anushka’s Versova pad so that they can be together whenever Virat is in town.
After keeping mum about their relationship for quite sometime, both Anushka and Virat agreed to their relationship, refusing to divulge details and make it entertainment news. Here’s an account of what their romance looked like.

Actress Katie Holmes says she had to learn how to shoot a gun for ‘Miss Meadows’.

The 35-year-old actress enjoyed playing the titular character in her latest movie, which tells the story of a teacher who moonlights as a vigilante, partly because she got to handle a powerful weapon.

“Miss Meadows is a new character for me because she’s kind of funny – a substitute teacher who turns into a vigilante when she sees a child being harmed. She was fun to play -plus, I learned how to shoot a gun,” she said.

Holmes, who has eight-year-old daughter Suri Cruise with ex-husband Tom Cruise, said she is pleased to be back on the big screen after a few years off.

“Work ebbs and flows but I have been fortunate recently to have more projects come my way. And because my child is growing up, I have a bit more time to focus on my work – and I’m excited about it.”

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence has become the most-searched celebrity on Google over the past 12 months.

The 24-year-old actress repeatedly made headlines this year with her nude photos that leaked in massive celebrity hacking, her brief fling with Chris Martin, and her box office blockbuster “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1”.

The actress is followed by reality TV star Kim Kardashian at the second place. French actress Julie Gayet is ranked third, while comedian Tracy Morgan, who is recovering from a serious car accident earlier this year and actress Renee Zellweger who caused a buzz with her new look round up the top five.

The rest of the top 10 are occupied by “Dallas Buyers Club” star Jared Leto, chart-topping singer Lorde, Leto’s “Dallas” co-star Matthew McConaughey, George Clooney’s wife Amal Alamuddin, and the NBA team owner Donald Sterling.

Actress Bipasha Basu may have done bold scenes in her previous releases, but she feels her forthcoming movie “Alone” is her boldest movie so far. In “Alone”, directed by Bhushan Patel, the Bengali beauty has shed all her inhibitions to shoot some passionate and steamy scenes with her co-star Karan Singh Grover. “It is going to be my boldest film that I have ever done till now,” Bipasha, who has shown her bold side in films like “Jism”, “Raaz”, “Raaz 3D” among others, said. “It’s a passionate love story. It is definitely a horror genre and will scare you, but it revolves around a love story… a love story between a man, a woman and a ghost,” she added. Further, Bipasha said that the audience would love the film as “they will see lots of passion, lots of love in it.”

Deepika Padukone will be making a special visit to her school for a fund raiser event. Deepika was born and brought up in Bangalore and went to the prestigious Sophia High School. The ace actor got approached by her school a month ago and the faculty requested her to be part of the event. She had a brief conversation with the faculty where they shared details of the event. The school has organised a big scale event for fund raising which will go towards building a new wing in the school. The school will also be expanding and providing better facilities and amenities to students. Deepika immediately confirmed her presence and requested her team to ensure her dates can be worked out as she was very keen to make time and visit her school. She has been in the middle of a busy schedule as she is shooting for Piku, but she accommodated this on priority basis.

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha, Yami Gautam, Manasvi Mamgai
Direction: Prabhudheva
Genre: Action Comedy
Duration: 2 hours 24 minutes

Story: A Don’s sister falls for his most trusted lieutenant. When he refuses to reciprocate, she vows to destroy him. Her lust and his scorn form the crux of this puerile potboiler.

Review: Welcome Vishy (Ajay), a self-styled Robin Hood, who picks up street fights with the local goons to earn himself some mega-bucks. He finds support from his chaat-eating sidekick Moosa (Kunaal Roy Kapur) who is more farcical than funny, part farce. Robin Hood’s life takes an amorous twist when he bumps into Khushi (Sonakshi), a ‘luckless’ media professional. If it is not corny enough to have the girl and the man’s names rhyming (Vishy and Khushi), things get completely illogical when the girl starts chasing the boy because she has spied on him semi-nude in her toilet break.

This film writer’s imagination is warped because Khushi is actually convinced that the hero’s half-naked presence is responsible for her changing fortunes. Want to tear your hair out in frustration? Wait, there’s more to add to this convoluted screenplay. Joining the confusion is one-glass-eyed don Xavier Fonseca (Anand Raj), who resides in Bangkok and deals in arms. His sexy sister Marina (Manasvi) falls in lust with her brother’s trusted associate AJ(can’t reveal his name, without giving away the suspense). Though Marina has the best car, clothes and cigarettes, she cannot canoodle with AJ because his heart lies with another pretty damsel Anusha (Yami).

Since hell hath no fury than a Marina scorned, the plot reigns mayhem as it moves from Pune to New Zealand, Bangkok to Austria and finally, to Mumbai with the hero being chased. Corrupt cops and identical twins tumble out of cupboards adding to the confusion. The action sequences have Tarantino’s Kill Bill influence. However, here the animation wipes jump out of nowhere almost startling you. Ajay romancing the sword in his bare-bodied avatar is exciting.

He pulls off the comic and the Bazooka killing-machine acts with ease. Sonakshi shimmies well to Himesh Reshammiya’s hit ditties — Keeda and Chichora Piya with Ajay, who tries to do better than stomp. Manasvi shows her shapely body in a bootylicious gangster song, while Yami charms with her girl next-door act. If you’re not looking for a mentally stimulating fare, enjoy this ride that is basically meant for the filmi keedas.

Jacqueline Fernandez, who feels passionately about the cause of animal and wildlife protection, has earlier been associated with PETA and the cause of banning horse-drawn carriages in India. This time around, the actress has taken up another cause of protecting elephants in the wild. Jacqueline has joined the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society that works towards protecting elephants in the wild.

Talking about the endeavour of the society, Jacqueline says, “I believe strongly in spreading awareness and educating not only the inhabitants of the village but also the general public of the need to conserve the elephant in the wild. We don’t realize how difficult it is for people in remote villages to balance a sustainable livelihood, but what we also don’t realize is that through decades of development, humans have encroached on elephant habitats and made their livelihoods in these habitats. This has made it difficult for elephants to find new habitats because the fact is there is no new land to move into.”

Bollywood’s very own fashionista Sonam Kapoor has collaborated with Pernia Qureshi’s Pop-Up Shop to retail garments from her personal wardrobe on the website. All proceeds from the sale will go towards Smile Foundation, an NGO that focuses on helping underprivileged children and youth across twenty five states in the country, said a statement. This partnership will bring pieces from Sonam’s uber chic closet along with ensembles from an assortment of high street brands, Indian designers as well as International fashion labels like Roberto Cavalli, Marc Cain, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Halston Heritage, Anita Dongre, Pernia Qureshi, Nishka Lulla, Atsu, Masaba, Disney and more. “I love the outfits that Pernia and I selected from my wardrobe. I have worn these once, most probably and not more than that. It’s as good as new and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the charity. So you’re shopping and you don’t need to feel guilty about it,” said the actress.

Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Randeep Hooda, Sanjay Dutt, Kangana Ranuat, Angad Bedi, Neil Bhoopalam, Neha Dhupia
Direction: Rensil D’ Silva
Genre: Drama
Duration: 1 hour 54 minutes

Story: Four friends turn into vigilantes to clean up corruption and crime in the country.

Review: This story has its heart in the right place, mind all over the place, and finger on the wrong pulse. ‘Ungli’ is socially relevant, earnest in delivering a strong message, albeit, the weak execution doesn’t support the larger intent. Abhay (Randeep) a crime journalist, Maya (Kangana) a medical intern, Goti (Neil) a computer hardware expert, and Kalim (Angad) a garage owner – are four buddies so enraged with our corrupt system that they show law-makers the middle finger and then take law into their own hands. Here’s the back story. Their buddy was beaten up by a powerful man’s son; the victim went into coma and justice was denied.

From there team ‘Ungli’ is born. The fearless foursome dressed in black face masks, hoods and headlights set out to punish and shame (they’re valiant, not violent) unscrupulous cops, rickshaw drivers, RTO officers and government babus. Television channels are sent recordings of their operations, and soon they become darlins’ of the aam junta and sansani khabar for the media. Their plans are simple and too smooth – therein lies the problem. Enter ACP Kale (Dutt) who’s given the task of tracking down the cool criminals. Enter bindaas cop with a bad boy image, Nikhil (Emraan), who is hired by ACP to crack the case.

At this point, an item number (by Shraddha Kapoor) also makes a forced entry. Soon, a fistful of predictable twists and turns also enter – which do nothing to turn around the story into anything out of the ordinary. Rensil D’Silva’s plot is fast-paced, in spite of the many potholes it slips into. He strings the story like episodes, never allowing the drama to intensify. The outlaws have a motive, but their plans are way too improbable and flaky. There’s a fleeting romance thrown in too and attacks of laughable dialogue.

The performances are average – Kangana looks too bored for revenge, Emraan is unenthused and under-utilized, salt ‘n’ pepper Dutt tries some heavy dialogue but leaves no impact. Randeep looks believable and delivers a fine act and Neha (playing his colleague and love interest) does her part well.

Starting her career with the small screen, Mona Singh gradually moved to films and the actress, who will be next seen in upcoming movie ‘Zed Plus’, says she now wants to try her hands in theatre. The 33-year-old actress, best known for her titular role in hit TV soap ‘Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin’, said her costars in the Chandra Prakash Dwivedi-directed film, who have a background of theatre, inspired her to take up on stage acting. “I am doing theatre. It happened because all the actors of ‘Zed Plus’ are from theatre- Mukesh Tiwary, Adil Hussain, Sanjay Mishra, Kulbhushan Kharbanda. On the set of the film, I felt very out-of-place.

I thought I should also try my hands in theatre. It is very challenging, there are no retakes, no cuts on stage. I am doing a play next month in Mumbai. It is called ‘Unfaithfully Yours’. Hopefully we will travel to other cities as well,” Mona said. In ‘Zed Plus’, which is a political satire, Mona, who has earlier starred in films like ‘3 Idiots’ and ‘Utt Pataang’, will be seen in a deglamorized role. But the actress is not complaining as she considers herself lucky to get the part. “When I was approached for the film and sir (Dwivedi) narrated the story, I immediately said yes.

Such films are made very rarely. When you are old and look back at your career, these are the films that will be the high point,” she said. Mona will be seen playing the wife of Adil’s character in ‘Zed Plus’ and she said she went three shades darker for the role. “My character Hameeda is very controlling, dominating, aggressive, rude.. she is a typical village woman. I did not sport any make up in the film and I am also three shades darker. I play a shoe seller and had to look the part,” Mona said. The actress, who rose to fame by doing television, was last seen in daily soap ‘Kya Huaa Tera Vaada’, which ended in 2013.

Since then, Mona has abstained from doing TV shows and she said she would prefer to be part of shows, which have seasons. “I love acting. I will return to TV but it has to be good enough. Daily soaps get monotonous. I believe in seasons. It is starting here. It is a very good change as writers, producers, actors can come back fresh. It will take a while but it has started,” she said.

Actress Neha Dhupia feels lucky to have worked in filmmaker Karan Johar’s upcoming production ‘Ungli’ and now wishes to be a part of film that is directed by him. The 34-year-old ‘Phas Gaye Re Obama’ actress is a fan of Johar’s films and wants to be directed by him in a glossy entertainer. “I feel lucky that I got to work in Dharma Productions film. It is fantastic to work in Karan’s production and I love his films. He is on my wish list of all those directors I want to work with. I love his glossy entertainers.

I would love to be directed by him in such a film. I really liked his ‘Student of The Year’,” Neha said. Johar was one of the reasons Neha signed ‘Ungli’, directed by Rensil D’Silva and co-starring Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut and Randeep Hooda. “I had more than one reason to be a part of this film, it has a fantastic producer, an amazing director and a lovely cast. Emraan, Kangana and Randeep are such chilled out people that it is easy to bond with them. We all are easy going people so it was a lot of fun on the sets. I am glad to have done ‘Ungli’,” she said.

Cast: Govinda, Ranveer Singh, Parineeti Chopra,
Ali ZafarDirection: Shaad Ali
Genre: Action
Duration: 2 hours 8 minutes

Story: A contract killer wants to reform for love; but wait, will the ones who order him to kill, allow him to listen to his dil?

Review: Shaad Ali’s Kill Dil is inspired by countless Hollywood movies that showcase the protagonists romancing the gun. Here too, the two heroes Dev (Ranveer Singh) and Tutu (Ali Zafar) are orphans who are raised by a local Delhi don, Bhaiyyaji (Govinda). Brought up against the backdrop of bullets instead of lullabies, the chaddi-buddies drop out of primary school and grow up to become contract killers. With mafia killings being a regular feature of the Indian city underbelly, the trigger-happy twosome goes about their work without remorse.

That is, until Dev bumps into Disha (Parineeti Chopra), an heiress who reforms criminals in her spare time. They find themselves drawn to one another, but she doesn’t know what he does for a living. That having been said, the more Dev falls for Disha, the more he starts distancing himself from his mentor. The boy, who once buried his books, now wishes to bury his gun and turn over a new leaf for love. His friend Tutu agrees to cover for him in their moonlighting operations. However, Bhaiyyaji plays a spoilsport in the game of love. Possessive about his ward, he wants to destroy Dev’s bliss. So there you go. There is enough pizzazz to divert you from the cliched plot.

It is certainly a step up from Shaad’s last disastrous outing, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007). And what makes this film watchable is the effortless chemistry between Ranveer and Ali. Their poker-faced humour, jibes at one another and ability to break into a song are impressive. Supported by some corny dialogues — like pigs must always eat shit and never attempt to taste gulkand (a sweet preserve of rose petals used in paan) – they draw laughs as quickly as they draw out their weapons. Govinda’s on-screen entry and trademark dance step had the matinee crowd in a tizzy. Parineeti and Ali are good, but the film belongs to Ranveer. He’s as keyed up as an Energiser bunny, exuding charm and competence in equal measure.

If there is anyone else who is happy for Shraddha Kapoor’s back to back successes with Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain and now Haider, apart from her family is her house help. This house help has been in Shraddha’s house from the time Shraddha was a kid and she has been there with her throughout. Post the success of Haider, she was so proud and happy for Shraddha that she bought her a small gift in her capability. She personally went and picked up a congratulatory card and a small Ganesh idol for her as Shraddha worships Ganeshji a lot. Shraddha was very touched with this kind gesture of her house help and gave her a tight hug. They have a very strong bond and she has been living in their house since years now. On earlier celebratory occasions, she has also cooked Shraddha’s favourite dishes for her.

Actress Ileana D’Cruz, who is reportedly dating Australian Andrew Kneebone, says she prefers not to talk about her personal life with everybody. “I have never said anything about my personal life. I am single until I am married. I like to keep my personal life very private. As long as my family is aware about it, I am fine with that. I don’t want everyone to know about my personal life,” she said. Ileana, who made her Bollywood debut with Ranbir Kapoor starrer “Barfi!”, is now gearing up for the release of her next film, “Happy Ending” featuring Saif Ali Khan, Govinda, Kalki Koechlin and Ranvir Shorey. The actress revealed that Kneebone has a special appearance in the film too. “Andrew Kneebone has got a little bit of role but that happened for fun,” she said. Directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, “Happy Ending” will release Nov 21

We heard that Kareena Kapoor Khan, who has a cameo in Happy Ending, did not charge even a penny for her role. To express his gratitude, producer Dinesh Vijan gifted her a high-end designer watch, which ended up burning a bigger hole in his pocket. “It is the most expensive cameo for our company,” says Dinesh, good-humouredly. And looks like hubby Saif Ali Khan smartly chose to keep himself away from the sweet gesture.

Cast: Randeep Hooda, Nandana Sen, Paresh Rawal
Direction: Ketan Mehta
Genre: Drama
Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes

Story: Raja Ravi Varma pioneered modern Indian art, giving faces – and sensuality – to the divine. Facing obscenity charges, what was his defence?

Review: So, Rang Rasiya is a colourful triumph, director Ketan Mehta meriting applause for his portrait of painter Raja Ravi Varma, skillfully blending a biopic, a period film, a love story and a social critique, within a tight frame. Arching across the 19th-20th centuries, Rang Rasiya traces Raja Ravi Varma’s growth from a callow youth to a citizen of profound impact.

Young Raja (Randeep) has several sensual encounters, by waterfalls, atop giggling swings, wrenching jewels off lovers’ bare skin with satisfactory elan, painting portraits for pleased royals – until he meets the ethereal Sugandha (Nandana) in Bombay. Sugandha first dismisses Varma’s art as ‘ladkiyon ko ghoorna’ but eventually agrees to be his muse – and lover. As Varma’s growing passion – for Sugandha and for a nation he re-discovers through ancient fables and new consumer energy – deepens his work, self-appointed custodians of culture drag him to court, blaming his art for plague devastating Bombay.

What is Varma’s defence? Rang Rasiya questions and answers with beauty. Its cinematography lovingly glides across Raja Ravi Varma’s now-iconic art – fabrics that shimmer with glossy light, jewels gleaming on paper, goddesses who pout in plaintive love upon carpets of green grass – while portraying his sensual life sensitively. Randeep Hooda’s performance is superb, maturing from a swarthy, ‘swarthee kalakaar’ to the first determined defender of the freedom of expression in modern India.

In a hilarious scene, as Lokmanya Tilak delivers a speech, Varma breezily flirts with pretty journalist Frenny (Ferena Wazeir), later an ageing, wheezing man dismissing critics arrogantly, guilt-struck when Sugandha’s socially mocked. Alongside, Nandana’s portrayal poignantly brings alive the lustrous power of a woman – divinely – in love. Paresh Rawal etches a characteristically sharp cameo as canny merchant Govardhan Das while Vikram Gokhale and Darshan Jariwala drip spite at Varma’s art which, via mass-printing, brings the divine home to all – including those called Untouchable, barred from temples.

A fun sequence displays India’s first cinema show leaving Varma so impressed, he backs a movie by his protegee – Dadasaheb Phalke. Rang Rasiya portrays Varma as India’s first cultural rock-star, adored, attacked, commercial, inspired, excited and challenged by a new consciousness he sees – and shapes. Vitally, Rang Rasiya emphasizes Raja Ravi Varma’s commitment to the freedom of ideas which creates philosophy, science and liberated love, ephemeral, yet lasting – like the pages of his calendars.

Gauri Khan, The Design Cell and Raj Anand of Maison & Objet co- hosted a champagne evening with Kaykasshan Patel for a sneak peek into the attractions of the forthcoming Maison & Objet (an international decor show destination). In attendance for this special evening were Namitta Saraf, Shahid Dattawala, Lubna Allana, Lekha Washington, Pinky Reddy, Renu and Rita Chainani , Lata Patel, Maheep Kapoor, Renu Bhandarkar, Wardha Nadiadwala, Prashita Chaudhary, Madhoo Shah, Sharmilla Khanna, Penny Patel, Nayantara Thacker, Nidhi Ghia, Monisha Jaising, Shibani Bhojwani, Laila Mallya Singh, Queenie Singh , Rishi Sethia, Kalyani Chawla, Tanaaz Doshi, Celina Wadia, Bhavana Pandey, Schauna Chauhan and sister Alisha Chauhan, Kadambari Lakhani, Nandita Mahtani, Divya Khosla Kumar, Arpana Swaroop and many more. Shah Rukh Khan lent support to wife Gauri as did Arif Patel to wife Kaykasshan. Raj Anand was seen playing the gracious host as the guests exclaimed about the collectibles. As one of the world’s leading trade shows, Maison & Objet is synonymous with home decoration and design. Says Gauri, who is a regular visitor at the show, “What interests me is the unique offer and experience of the show, which is a great source of inspiration not only for decor but also to expand one’s mind set and lifestyle. The creativity there is simply exciting for any person whether in design or in general habitat.”

Jacqueline Fernandez is in Ontario shooting her first international film, James Simpson’s Definition Of Fear. She plays a psychology student–a role similar to the one she essayed in the Salman Khan-starrer Kick earlier. Speaking to Mirror from Canada, she admits that their style of filmmaking is “very different”. “Back in India we are pretty laidback, while these guys work with surgical precision. Right from the reporting time to the duration of breaks, everything is stopwatch perfect,” she points out.While she hasn’t screened Kick for her foreign unit yet, she has shown them two songs from the film, Jumme Ki Raat and Hangover.

“Now my costars want me to teach them Bollywood-style dancing!” she laughs. Her co-stars include “girlfriends” Katherine Barrell, Mercedes Papalia and Blythe Hubbard. In the film, the four go to a secluded cabin in the woods to finish a thesis Jacqueline’s character is working on. “It’s about understanding what makes us afraid. Initially, we are in a controlled environment with noises created to evoke fear, but slowly we realise that we aren’t the only ones there,” says the actress. Usually international film debuts are no more than a blink-andmiss appearances but Jacqueline says hers is a lead role. “Even if it was a cameo, I wouldn’t mind because as an actor, I constantly feel the need to work in new environments,” she says.