KOLKATTA FASHION WEEK – SEASON II

The Indian designers are no longer confined to the domestic fashion and apparel market. With India is becoming the latest fashion hub for the fashionistas, the DESINGERS are gaining recognition and fame from all over the world.
One of the major platforms that provide the Indian designers to showcase their talents is through the fashion shows. Kolkatta Fashion Week is one of the most popular fashion show celebration of India where the talents of already established and upcoming designers are showcased.
TRICITY CALLING took a tour to the Kolkata Fashion Week – Season II or KFW 2009, which began with the ace designer Ritu Kumar’s who paid a tribute to rich Bengali traditional designs and craftsmanship, while got concluded with the grand finalé of Manish Malhotra’s show.

This feast featured:

Ritu Kumar, Bibi Russel, Manish Malhotra, Wendell Rodricks, Rocky S, Narendra Kumar, Mandira Virk and many more. The five day fashion extravaganza was held from September 9 to September 13 at the ITC, The Sonar, Kolkata.
Star cricketer Virender Sehwag, sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Director Rituparno Ghosh and film actresses Riya Sen, Nitin Mukesh and Irrfaan Khan was among the few showstoppers, who were a part of the event.
This event was a fashion celebration laced with lots of glamour and national as well as international media coverage, wherein many high profile designers as well as famous Bollywood celebrities were part of it.
Actor Neetu Chandra, who was walked the ramp for designer Soumitra Mondal, said, “I’ve been busy shooting for the Tamil version of Bachna Ae Haseeno. But when I got an offer to walk for KFW2, I immediately agreed since I’m in love with Kolkata’s vintage appeal and the city’s connect with all things arty. Though being a showstopper is a nerve-wracking act”, added the all excited Neetu. For Neil Nitin Mukesh, it’s both a love for Kolkata and Nari’s sensibilities that’s making him walk the ramp. “I love Nari as a human being. This translates into his work too,” he said. Meanwhile, walking for Mandira Wirk was Sophie Choudry’s way of strengthening her ties with Kolkata, a city where she had spent her holidays.

Collection by Some of the Designers:
Anita Dongre
Showstopper - Rimii Sen
With her love for Luxury and Lifestyle, Anita launched her one of a kind couture line, ANITA DONGRE TIMELESS. The label catered to custom made occasion wear. Be it a bridal trousseau or a red carpet stunner, ANITA DONGRE TIMELESS is termed as a luxury outfit you’ll desire to own and have forever.
The collection made ingenious use of traditional weaves and silks all over the country to create styles that are classis, feminine and eternal. Each ensemble, delicately handcrafted by adept craftsmen, is precious, luxurious and opulent enough to be considered as rare pieces for heirloom.

Aarti Vijaygupta
Her work was all about ‘breaking the compromise’. Merging old with the modern, creativity with practically. The box pleats, pyramid cones, quilted yokes yet feminine to the contours- classy, wearable and realistic yet affordable, this summed up her USP.
Collection
The Spring Summer 10 collection alternated the signature austerity of the label with more creative inputs. Her collection into the fold ’, inspired by Japanese art of Origami she felt is self explanatory of her collection. Her main objective was to fuse the traditional with the more topical. She tried to do so by blending of linen fabric in earthy colours with sophisticated cuts, which she believed, certainly will enchant the modern feminine world.
The color palette evoked metropolitan shades of grey, offset against purple softened by the matte of linen, broken by beige, brown and sand tones, and greens have a dry, olivey patina.

Aditi Jaggi
The designer Aditi Jaggi Rastogi is an alumnus of S.O.F.T, Pune, and has won the sobriquet of the ‘most commercially viable designer. A thorough experience under designer Rina Dhaka, a stint @ SSL, and designing for Mallika Sherawat etc. are the laurels that prove the strong foundation of the label.
Collection
This collection was an attempt to add to the grace n persona of a bride who considers comfort and value for money as her priorities, yet she wanted to indulge in a bright colorful collection for her trousseau, picking a mix of ensembles for all occasions. There was ample use of brocade from grandmas’ closet in the form of appliqué delicately highlighted with tiny beads and colorful stones. There were lehengas, saris, anarkalis, churidars and also a wide range of tunics. In short there was a mix of all that a newlywed bride wants in her wardrobe. Being spring summer 2010, the fabrics used were very easy chiffons and cotton blend silks.

Narendra Kumar
Showstopper: Neil Nitin Mukesh
Narendra Kumar was part of the first ever graduating class from NIFT in 1990, when it was still being run in conjunction with FIT, New York and Trent Polytechnic, UK. The NK line for both men and women is based on modern cuts and silhouettes but integrates the luxurious aspects of specially woven Indian fabrics and hand-crafted detailing to maintain a couture feel to the line.

Abhishek Dutta
Showstopper: Irrfaan Khan
Winner of Smirnoff International Fashion Award and an award winning student of Wigan & Leign College, Abhishek Dutta believes in creating garments with a difference. He specializes in various ancient embroideries with futurists cuts. His label AD Normal gives immense choice to people for casual clothing whilst his other label Abhishek D creates exclusive couture ensembles. Apart from formal wear his casual wear comprises of tops, trousers, jackets, skirts, etc. at a very affordable price. The inspiration for AD Normal line of clothes comes from the very sporty attitude of youth.
Collection
A futuristic collection was rolled out on the ramp from the Abhishek Dutta stable. Cuts and not surface embellishment dominated the ‘creative patterns’. Off-white, orange and khaki were his chosen colours for this structured western collection.

Swati Srivastava
The ‘Swati Srivastava’ label, incepted in the year 2007, has already been making weaves in the industry. A swirling mix of urban contemporary influences in heady creative style, ‘Swati Srivastava’ is a tour de force in Indian fashion. ‘Swati Srivastava’ the label is available at locations across India at stores in New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai.
Collection
The Delhi-based designer was showcasing an Indo-western line. The collection included lehengas, saris, draped tops, tunics and short jackets brought alive by textures, bamboo work, terracotta and cane work on net, khadi silk and Dhakai silk.

Manish Malhotra
Actors Amrita Rao, Ronit Roy, Raima Sen, Riya Sen, director Rituparno Ghosh and footballer Bhaichung Bhutia was among the celebrities who walked the ramp at the finale of Kolkata Fashion Week-II, when Manish Malhotra showcased his collection.Amrita Rao did the show stopping catwalk draped in a red lehenga. Ronit walked the ramp in a grey and black striped sherwani that had embroidery work. Bhaichung was seen in a grey sherwani.
“My label is known as couture clothing. I think my clothes are wearable. For example, I feel the sherwani is a lot more textured than most embroideries. For women it has a lot of net. It’s more clothes than jewellery,” said Manish.
This was his first show in the city, where he exhibited bridal clothes.

Modelling is my first love: Mugdha

Ramp has never and will not ever take a backseat for the model turned actress Mugdha Godse whose would like to get back to her first love modelling as and when she finds time out from films.
Mugdha Godse , who played a model in her debut film Fashion, has gone "completely de-glam" for her role in Madhur Bhandarkar's forthcoming Jail. The actress was in City for the launch of PC Jeweller showroom in Sector 22.
"My look in Jail is very de-glamourised. On the first-day of the shoot, I came for my shot with make-up on, and Madhur asked me to wash my face and get the make-up off. He wanted a completely natural look and I finally ended up with only kajal and mascara," said Mugdha. Though different, but, for Mugdha both roles gave her the courage and confidence to experiment with different character.
Madhur Bhandarker’s Fashion had a bold subject. Jail is even bolder. “If Fashion threw light on the dark world of fashion, Jail will explore the dingy prisons,” she said.
For the 24 year old actress performance is above the looks. “Looks does matter, but to an extent. What in fact, the audience remembers for a longer time is the performance. And as the Indian Cinema is experimenting, evolving, innovating, getting bolder, we need to try and give something different”, asserted Mugdha.
"Madhur always gives equal if not more importance to his female characters and I am happy that he trusted me to play two diametrically different roles (in both Fashion and Jail). My role in Jail is very powerful role and I am sure the audience will be surprised to see me in this new avatar. I play Parag's (played by Neil Nitin Mukesh) girlfriend and I am his strength through most of the film," she said.
The actress, who starred alongside Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut in Bhandarkar's Fashion, is playing the lead in Jail opposite Neil Nitin Mukesh.
Co-produced by Percept Picture Company and Bhandarkar Entertainment, Jail is a hard-hitting yet sensitive tale of an ordinary man, Parag Dixit, who finds himself inside a prison due to a series of unfortunate events.
Releasing on November 6, it also stars Manoj Bajpai in a pivotal role. Mugdha, who teamed up with Bhandarkar for the second time, is all praise for the director.
Apart from Jail, Mugdha is also keeping busy with her other movie All The Best, releasing on October 16 starring Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi, Sanjay Dutt and Bipasha Basu. About breaking into comedy early on in her career, she said "When I got the opportunity to work in All The Best I just couldn't resist the temptation to do an out-an-out comedy. Every actor likes to try different things and after doing Fashion, I just felt the need to broaden my horizon and she had a lot of fun while shooting the comedy”.
"We used to laugh a lot on and off the sets and there was great camaraderie between all of us. I hope all my films are this fun and the relationship we shared during the making of the film, we can maintain it later. I would be happy to work with all of them again," Mugdha said.
Next will be a horror film with Bobby Deol. Seems the lady is all ready for different genres.

Paint Ball-A BATTLE FIELD

A Loaded gun and a licence to ‘kill’…..... Confused???
So we were…’n’ in case you think that Chandigarh never had a taste of real action, think again…You are wrong…
For youngsters who think going uphill or hangout is a better option, one of the most happening sports, which not many may know is becoming the most favourite venue for the people residing in the tricity.

The owners of Xtreme Warzone originally got the idea of PAINTBALL FROM CANADA where they played this sports game frequently. Gary Sandhu and Paul Sandhu, the two brothers enjoyed playing this game so much that they decided to open up their own business in a place where paintball did not exist yet.
After some research they found out that paintball was in India, but no one had bought it to their home town Punjab, which was launched in Mullanpur in March 2009.
Initially we thought that people might not like the sport as it involves a lot of physical activities, but we were amaze to see family enjoying the game here to the fullest.

“We thought that the game is not meant for the people here or it will be hard for people to follow, but we were wrong. We have family, girls coming to us. Even the security wing of the Punjab Chief Minister came to play the game”, claimed Gary Sandhu.

WHAT IS PAINTBALL?

Paintball is a sports game where opponents use guns loaded with harmless paint and play a variety of games. Two teams play against each other and shoot paint from guns The paint shoots at a very high pressure at about 250-300 feet per second.Once the player gets hit by a paintball he/she is out of the game. Paintballs are small balls filled with washable paint. The guns are powered with CO2 12oz and 20oz tanks are offered with the guns

WHO CAN PLAY?
Paintball is played by men, women, boys and girls of all different age groupsChildren must be 12 years of age or over to play.
Children between ages 12-18 will need parent’s consignment to play.
Extra supervision will be provided on the field for children under the age of 18.

IS PAINTBALL SAFE?
Paintball like any other sports is safe when proper protective gear and safety rules are followed.

ARE THERE ANY INTERNATIONAL RULES?
To play paintball you can create your own game and your own rules, but there is one mandatory safety rule that all players must follow and that is to wear an approved face mask, this is for your own protection when playing on the field. The mask will be provided on site.

The Weapons
X7 MARKER
The X7 is the world’s most customizable marker ever made. This next generation woodsball marker features over 30 mods, a thousand looks and built in features including a lightweight magnesium receiver, a new Cyclone EP Feed System, a low profile offset hopper and many other upgrades for unmatched style and performance.
A-5 MARKER
With its genuine military appearance and reliable performance, the A-5 line is all about speed and upgradeability. The A-5 features the patented Cyclone Feed System that can feed up to 17 balls per second and can be easily field stripped in less than 60 seconds. The A-5 continues to set the standard for scenario players wanting superior reliability and customization.
98 CUSTOM - PLATINUM SERIES MARKER
For the beginner or seasoned pro, the New 98 Custom Platinum Series Marker line maintains the reliability and durability you need and with the new split receiver design it is even easer to customize, maintain, and upgrade.

In pipeline:
“We are introducing Paint Ball very soon in Jallandhar and Ludhiana”, asserted Gary.

Heer Ranjha rools back

If the Khans holds the bollywood , it is the Manns who rule the Punjabi industry. After Punjabi icon Gurdas Mann, it is now Harbhajan Mann associated with Heer Ranjha.
Eros International, a leading Indian film entertainment studio with a global distribution network in association with Aplomb Motion Pictures and H&H Productions released the music album of their forthcoming romantic saga HEER RANJHA at a glittering event at Fame Cinemas.

The Punjabi heartthrob and singing sensation - movie actor Harbhajan Mann (Ranjha), the lovely Neeru Bajwa (Heer) along with Guggu Gill, Jasbir Jassi, Mickey Duhra, Gurchet Chitrakar, Shawinder Mahal were among the crew members present at the launch.

Also present were the producers of Heer Ranjha – Gulzar Inder Chahal and Apinder Grewal, director Harjit Singh, lyricist Babu Singh Mann and music director Gurmeet Singh.

Amidst all the star presence and energy at Fame Cinemas in Panchkula, the afternoon saw the formal launch of the scintillating music of Heer Ranjha along with the showcase of the film’s songs and trailer.

Scheduled to release worldwide on 2nd October 2009, the breathtakingly shot eternal love story of the star crossed lovers is played beautifully by the hit pair of Harbhajan Mann and Neeru Bajwa who once again team up after Dil Apna Punjabi. The much awaited soul stirring historical romance strives to recreate the legendry love story with utmost sincerity and historical accuracy and promises to take loyal audiences and fans by storm.

Speaking at the occasion, Harbhajan Mann, the all round entertainer of Punjabi cinema said, “I am looking forward to the release of Heer Ranjha and eagerly await the response of my fans and audience to the music that is available across music stores from today. The music of the film has been bound together through strong melodies to suit the feel and look of the film. Every song beautifully portrays the theme of the film and we are extremely proud of the effort”.

“I am happy to associate with Eros International in our first venture together and hope through this association, we can open new avenues for Punjabi cinema and take it to another level. We are very proud to announce that Heer Ranjha will also release in countries like Hong Kong, New Zealand, Dubai, Pakistan etc which will see the release of a Punjabi film for the very first time. We have made this film with a lot of love and sincerely hope audiences enjoy our labour of love”, he added.

The sound track of the Heer Ranjha has been composed by Gurmeet Singh and features an array of eclectic singers like Pakistani legendary singer Janaab Shaukat Ali, Harbhajan Mann, Jasbir Jassi, Gursewak Mann, Minu Sharma, Sujata, Kalpana, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shweta Pandit and Akriti Kakkar.

Heer Ranjha has been produced by Harbhajan Mann, Apinder Grewal and Gulzar Inder Chahal.

I play character of Chaturvedi police officer in Baabarr : Om Puri

Om Puri is always known to depict sheer emotions and acting skills in each and every film he did. And indeed he got recognisation and admiration through prestigious awards like 2 National awards, Filmfare Award, Life-time achievement award, Padmashri award, got nominated in Bafta awards.
And yet again he is all set to grab the lime-light from his role in his recent release action-packed film “Baabarr”. “Baabarr” has hit the theatre on September 11, 2009. He is playing the character of a police-officer. Believe it or not, this is his 30th time wherein he had played a police-officer in the film.
Recently, in an interaction with the Buzzintown, he discussed about his film “Baabarr”, his role and many more things.
From “Ardhsatya” you have played the character of police-officer several times. How does it feel?
There was no reason to choice specifically this. God knows how many more times I’ll play police-officer. The journey of being police-officer from film “Ardhasatya” till “Baabarr” has been great and much more beyond learning and witnessing hard-core reality. I have played both positive as well as negative shades of police-officer. In “Ardhsatya” I was honest, committed and dedicated police-officer. Whereas in “Baabarr” I am corrupted police-officer. I help culprits and go ahead with planning-plotting against its own system. I thoroughly enjoyed playing police-officer Chaturvedi. In reality such officers do exist in our system.
What is the story of the film? It is kind of creating anxiety.
This is the story of a boy who started from the streets of Aman Ganj and had trespassed every barrier of crime. For the 10 years that followed he traumatized one and all. His reign of fear terrorized everyone in the state, right from the common man to the Government. This was … BAABARR.
Even the movie stars Mithun Da. How was it to work with him?
It was immense pleasure to work with him. Everyone knows what kind of actor he is. I always earned pleasure to work with stars like Amitabh Bachchan in film “Dev” and Naseeruddin Shah in film “Maqbool”.
You are known to get into the debt of the role you play. Did any role had major impact on you and affected your personal life?
Yes, “Ardhsatya” role really influenced me. Talking about other roles, until I am on sets, the character is the only thing which revolves in my mind and blood. Once I am off sets I am simply Om Puri.
How was the experience to work with Director Ashuu Tirkha?
He picked up a good subject. It is not easy to shoot on real location from where the film is based on. I am sure, audience will appreciate the work done by Ashuu.
Which are your up-coming films?
“Wanted”, “London Dreams”, “Qurbaan” and “Road to Sangam”.
You have received tons of prestigious awards including Padmshree, Life time achievement and National award. What next?
Many more are left. Let me earn them then we will talk about it, he sums with a smile on his face.

‘CHANDIGARH FASHION WEEK??’... BUT WHEN

Are the reality shows a talent hunt or a way out to increase the TRP, sense Kaushik Ghosh , a renowned fashion choreographer, Sahiba Singh, Miss India Personality , 2004 who were in the city to hold a seminar organised by IIFT and to announce an image building workshop.
The duo will be back in the city near the Diwali to conduct a siminar and guess what they sense, “Reality shows in which contestants use foul language should be banned.”
The fashion choreographer has a point to prove himself, “They are degrading the image of our youth. Imagine, what outsiders would think of Indian youth when they see a bunch of attention-hungry youngsters calling names on national TV. And then, post-reality shows, contestants’ conscience suddenly awakens to expose casting couch tales. “These reality shows are teaching youngsters to be mean, abusive, blatant and unethical and are now being paid back in the same coin,” adds Sahiba Singh.
The 10-day-workshop will mainly focus on image building, a comprehensive term for dressing sense, ramp walk, attitude and personality development, “One just can’t achieve success on the basis of good looks and a body. You need to have right contacts, know how to approach people and do positive publicity for yourself, which is also a part of my workshop’s curriculum,” informs Kaushik.
Other reason he cites for holding a workshop in the city, “Chandigarh has the best looking boys and girls in India, competitive designers, fashion conscious people, affluent NRI market which together can make the Chandigarh Fashion Week possible.”
Having choreographed shows for the best designers and leading models, he regrets the absence of a male mega model. “We haven’t got a Rahul Dev or a Milind Soman for a long time as modeling for boys is a mere stepping stone to enter television or Bollywood.”
Well, Is Sahiba aiming for the same too?
“Not at all. I am too happy doing modelling to go to Bollywood, where the competition makes you stoop to any level.” As for her future plans, “Lots of modelling and post that, working for various UN programmes in Delhi.”
“It’s after a gap of nine years that I am conducting my workshop,” Ghosh pointed out having held similar workshops in 62 cities in India and abroad. “The Chandigarh Workshop would be open for five-year-olds to those 30 years of age,” mentioned Ghosh who finds that the modelling world isn’t just looking to young girls and guys. “Look at television advertising. There’s a huge gap that needs to be filled,” he said mentioning that today not just industry hopefuls but professionals from diverse fields such as doctors, engineers, even homemakers are lining up to be better groomed.
Speaking of all things Punjabi, once again Ghosh reiterated his “dream” to be part of a Chandigarh Fashion Week. “I hope someone approaches me. There’s a Bangalore Fashion Week, Kolkata Fashion Week, so why not a Chandigarh Fashion Week. I’ll be only to happy to organise one,” Ghosh remarked. Here’s someone who is thinking ahead!
The current style trend also brings in chequered patterns and big floral prints, something reminiscent of the ‘70s fashion,” adds on Sahiba who recently walked the ramp in London for a fundraiser show. “I also did Manish Malhotra’s bridal show recently and it’s strange I hadn’t up with him so far,” the model smiled to say. For someone who never really thought of modelling as a career, she sure has come a long way. “It all started after I gave the Miss India contest a shot back in 2004. It was a turning point in my life,” admits Sahiba who credits her success in the industry to the ‘grooming and polishing’ she underwent during the contest.
“Today, it’s all about the way you present yourself. Beauty contests are more personality contests now,” spoke Sahiba who surprisingly didn’t do the obvious post her Miss India run. “No, I didn’t have my eyes set on Bollywood. My focus is the ramp along with the television commercials that I regularly feature in,” the model made her point. It’s no surprise then that this is what her advice to wannabes in the industry is. “It’s important to stay focussed for that’s how you will get to where you aspire to be,” she summed up. Now that’s an attitude who wouldn’t like!
"You can't just pack your bags and leave for Bombay,"Ghosh told the students. He brought in success stories as living examples and motivated them to plan their entry into modelling well. Sahiba, who's walked the ramp for leading fashion designers and is working on a Bollywood project right now, says there's no shortcut to fame. "I was once very overweight and have worked hard to gain shape," she said.
The city has a largest pool of good-looking men and women, felt fashion choreographer Kaushik Ghosh and deserved to have a fashion week of its own

Working with Rishi Kapoor was a life time experience-Kulraj Randhawa

An absolute fun-loving girl, the very pretty Kulraj Randhawa started her career as a TV artist but then she tried her luck in Punjabi movies.
An attempt to discover her roots and guess what, she succeeded with flying colours. “Mannat” and “Tera Mera Ki Rishta” were block-buster hits and her pair with Jimmy Shergill was loved by masses and classes.
These days she is overwhelmed and excited about her recent released “Chintuji” along with olden day’s charmer Rishi Kapoor. Chintuji was out in theatre on September 4.
She is listed on 22nd place when it comes to number of female actors starring with Rishi Kapoor. During the promotion of the film, Kulraj interacted and shared about her experience, her forthcoming projects.
About the “Chintuji”, Kulraj is excited and eagerly waiting for people’s response.“Chintuji” is presented by Kaleidoscope and Next Gen Films. It is Written and Directed by Ranjit Kapoor and Produced by Bobby Bedi. The film also stars Rishi Kapoor and Priyanshu Chatterjee. It deals with hilarious concept of how a filmstar contest for election and enters politics”.
“Chintuji is a small film but it has a big heart. This is one of those films which reinstate your faith in clean, good and engaging cinema, something which was the mainstay of Hindi films in the Sixties and the Seventies “, she adds.
Describing it as one of the best experiences, Kulraj said, “In the intial days, I was very nervous but overall experience was great and is imprinted in golden words in the memory book of mine. One can learn so much from stalwarts like him. Not only about acting also about how to behave on the sets, with people around, how to be down-to-earth and humble and not treat yourself as star and nothing above you. And ask anyone from the cast and crew, everyone will vouch on it”.
“It was immense pleasure to work under the direction work of Ranjit Kapoor. The entire shooting schedule was full of learning, fun, thrills, absolute enjoyable”, she added.
Kulraj plays a character of Devika who handles promotion and publicity of Rishi Kapoor. She helps him to guide the way through contesting election.
About the future plans, Kulraj is quick to add. Besides, “Mastang Mama” there are two more project in pipeline”.

Every city has glamour: Simran

Glamour can exist and does in small cities and towns sense the Miss India Universe, Simran Kaur Mundi, 08.
The girls from small town are rewriting the rules of the glamour world (modelling), says Simran, who was in the city for the Exotic Bridal Show'09, an exotic guide on the bridal wear exhibition held at Hotel Taj, Sector 17 on Sunday, writes Mandeep Puri.
Better than the all, the Miss India knows how to guide the trousseau trends after she walked down the ramp at all the fashion weeks in India and the recent Dubai Fashion Week. "Trousseau is always an important collection at these fashion weeks," says Simran.
Organised by Jasveen Shahi, The Bridal Show-09 was an exhibition that displayed the jewellery and clothes from various leading designer houses. From designer jewellery of gold, kundan, diamond and the trendiest colour stones to the designer bridal wear, stylish handbags, accessories, ethnic wear and bridal photography, the exhibition was a wholesome package.
The cost of bridal collection at the bridal studio here ranged from Rs one to Rs seven lakhs. The 27-carat solitaire was showcased. Also one had the opportunity to own a chartered helicopter.
Showcasing the jewellery were designers Gauri Nainika, Gaurav Gupta, Cue, Malini Aggarwal, Rana Gill, Rina Dhaka, Rocky S, Wendell Rodricks and many more by Chamomile, Juicy Cotoure, Burberry, Ralpha Lauren, FCUK, Steve Madden, Baby Phat and Calvin Klien.
The other exhibitors included the CTC Plaza, Panchkula, Strands Salon, who provided a free make up demo and complementary gift vouchers at the exhibition, Enstrom Helicopter Corpo-ration and Monarch International Charter Services providing flower showering for the newlyweds.
The designing part is explained on the basis of ramp experience, explains Simran. "A fusion of Indian-western wear would be preferred to the usual silhouettes. For example a lehenga stitched in a gown style, with a tail at the bottom”, points the Miss India.
Simran has some grand plans for her wedding too, which includes a very Punjabi outfit, bright pink in colour and heavily embroidered.
Her suggestions to aspiring models: "Don't try to do everything on your own. It can make you vulnerable. It's a good idea to work with a reputed modelling agency. On the looks, she was quick to add, "Girls who are a little better than average looking and over 5'7 aspire to be models. That's fine. Only you need to have your priorities clearly etched out," asserted Simran.

Kissan’, a must watch film

Starring Sohail Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Jackie Shroff, Diya Mirza, Nauheed Cyrusi and Dalip Tahil, Kissan is Director by Puneet Sira. The release has not been hyped hugely and even many still are not aware of the release
The script carries worth. Cinematography appeals. Daboo Malik’s musical score is spongy.
Kissan, a movie that is inhabit rural Punjab with comforting familiarity and the ambience is conducive to a demonstration of flamboyant emotions.
'Kissan' is more or less a remake of Manoj Kumar’s 1967 hit film 'Upkaar', set in a village the film is about two brothers Sohail and Arbaaz Khan, who look like movie stars inspite of one of them being a farmer.
Dayal Singh (Jackie Shroff) is a widower and a farmer in a village in Punjab. He lives with his two sons – Jigar (Sohail Khan) and Aman (Arbaaz Khan). When someone suggests him to send his son for a higher education to city, he sends Aman while Jigar stays with him back in village. On completion of education, Aman becomes a lawyer whereas Jigar becomes a Kissan (farmer) like his father.
Sohan Seth (Dalip Tahil) an ambitious businessman arrives in Dayal’s village with a plan to set up his mega industrial project. He tries to lure the villagers to sell of their lands to him and offers them good compensation. But once Sohan comes to know that the big hurdle in his way is Dayal since he has big influence on the villagers, he designs a scheme to break his family and his influence on the villagers. What happens next forms the story…
The sequences entice the most like the emotional moments between Jackie and Arbaaz and the ones shot in the darkness of night when Sohail with Sharat Saxena and Vishwajeet Pradhan hunt for the village ruffians responsible for Arbaaz’s wife Diya Mirza’s death.
Jackie Shroff’s meaty role attracts and he does with finesse. Sohail Khan shows his tremendous performance as an actor. Arbaaz Khan seems okay. Diya Mirza looks gorgeous and acts well. Nauheed Cyrusi is impressive. Dilip Tahil enacts the part with aplomb. Rest of the cast does fine as well.
It’s an unabashed celebration of old fashioned melodrama with dollops of bone-crunching action in the last 30 minutes that leaves us wondering if Manoj Kumar ever imagined the fight to hold on to the land could ever get so violent and bloody.
In short, Kissan is like a tall spiced-up glass of lassi, not quite malaai maar ke.

Skirts, an essential part of today’s wardrobe

RU too old to wear a skirt? Think again.....Certainly u r not.... a high per cent of Indian women are happy to bare a lot of leg in skirt right up to the age of 40, writes Mandeep Puri.
Back in 1980s, a woman older than 30 would dare to venture out in a skirt for fear of being labelled 'mutton dressed as lamb'. But today they are being worn for almost a decade longer before being consigned to the back of the wardrobe.
From Hollywood Celebrities such as Victoria Beckham (35), Danni Minogue (38), Elle Macpherson (46), Jennifer Aniston (40) to the Indian News Makers like Priyanka Chopra, Riya Sen, Katrina Kaif are all fans of the skirts.
They may come under fire for signs of ageing around the knees, but they do have generally flawless legs. The modern, image-obsessed culture means that women work hard to maintain a youthful appearance, spending hours in the gym and even undergoing plastic surgery.
It all bodes well for the future of the skirt - but how old is too old to wear one? We asked female for their opinion... Some women should never start wearing skirts. It's not always about age - skirts never did anything for the heavy-hipped and overweight.
The shorter the skirt, the more it accentuates the hips. The more it shows off bad legs. Yes, all legs are good, but some are more perfect than others. Let's face it -skirts are for slender, stylish women, under 35 (or looking 35) and little girls. Little girls look very sweet in short skirts. So do hot skinny teenagers and women in their ragingly sexual come-and-get-me twenties. Legs are sexy. Legs are sporty, young, and innocent. Legs lead up to private territory. Good legs make men look twice. Especially bare legs. It's why women in their 40s and, gulp, 50s with half-way decent legs think they project a youthful kickiness when they wear a skirt.
'It shows that women have an increasing confidence in their bodies and are happy to dress accordingly,' says Disha, a city based model. 'If the trend continues there's no doubt that, within a decade, women in their mid-40s and early 50s will rightly regard a skirt as an essential part of their everyday wardrobe. Skirts are the best for it and it gives a girl the appealing looks”, she adds. 'I'm a girl,' and it’s a message.
A 40-plus woman who wears a skirt knows she's running out of time. Also, wearing a when you're over 40 - unless four inches above the knee and with opaque tights - shows you haven't a clue about fashion. There is nothing more ageing than a long skirt on women of a certain age. You can get away with lovely white hair and lots of wrinkles, but long skirts are the precursor to the shroud.
“Girls in their 20s and 30s can waft around looking charmingly, hippy-dippy in mid-calf or long skirts. But this same length can make most women a decade or too later in life look older than our chronological age. We do not want to embrace our inner grandmother”, sense Mehak, a model.
“There is, however, an important difference between short and mini; it is one that older women need to discover fast if they do not want to walk around to the sound of bleating mutton”, she adds. “I think most sensible and stylish women have an innate sense of what works and what doesn't without any need for dogma or rules, because dressing is more about context than convention. I wear skirts and will continue to wear them until my knees no longer pass muster, because it's fun, because knee-length is too Carla Bruni, mid-calf is disastrous, and full-length maxi is - paradoxically - a look only the very young can carry off”, opines Rohini Chhabra, a professional.