Soha Ali Khan does a take on yesteryear actors !

VYJAYANTHIMALA: Here Soha replicates the Sangam star’s perfect grace and beauty. Note the magenta match
WAHEEDA REHMAN: Waheedaji was happy to play ‘Guide’ for this look. She helped me to get Soha look like her by bringing out all her old saris for reference
NADIRA: This is about being truly bold and beautiful. Nadira was bold enough to carry off some very creative costumes with style and grace. Nadira for me was the ultimate style guru of her time
NARGIS: I chose Nargis as a strong reference point because Soha’s face has her softness
SHARMILA TAGORE: Emulating her mother’s look was easy. All I did was keep the hairdo and make-up strictly Sharmila style
SAIRA BANU: Saira Banu was representative of the ’60s. Soha’s sex appeal as Saira is a reflection of that time. Also her hair and saris were designed keeping the hair accessories of that era in mind
MEENA KUMARI: Meena Kumari’s drop dead beauty and naivete were the key elements when Soha was given her look. I only wanted her to sport a ‘wiped off’ red bindi for her Meena Kumari look as she was seen in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. I also wanted her to look heartbreakingly sad
HELEN: Soha performs a cabaret in Khoya Khoya Chand. And who is better than the sultry Helen when we think of a sexy cabaret number?

With a little care, parenting can be fun !

Parenting is a tough job, and maintaining close relationships and open communications helps to ensure parents and their children stay connected through all ages of their upbringing. Here are some simple tips for enhancing the bond.
Say I love you:
Tell your child you love him every day — no matter his age. Even on trying days or after a parent-child disagreement, it is more important than ever to express your love. A simple ‘I love you’ goes a long way toward strengthening a relationship.
Teach your faith:
Teach your child about your faith. Tell him what you believe and why. Allow time for your child to ask questions and answer them honestly. Reinforce those teachings often.
Establish a special name:
Create a special name for your child that is positive and special or a secret code word that you can use between each other. Use the name as a simple reinforcement of your love.
Maintain a special bedtime ritual:
For younger children, reading a favourite bedtime book or telling stories is a ritual that will be remembered always. Once children start reading, have them read a chapter, or short book to you. Even most teenagers still enjoy the ritual of being told goodnight in a special way by their parents.
Let your children help you:
Unloading groceries after going to the store is a good example of something that children of most ages can and should assist with. Choosing which shoes look better with your dress lets a child know you value her opinion. Of course, if you ask, be prepared to live with the choice made!
Play with your children:
It doesn’t matter what you play, just enjoy each other! Let kids see your silly side.
Eat meals as a family:
Eating together sets the stage for conversation and sharing. Don’t rush through a meal. When schedules permit, really talk and enjoy one another.
Think creatively:
Whether it is a walk around the neighbourhood, a special trip to a playground, or just a movie night with just the two of you, it is important to celebrate each child individually. Think creatively and the opportunities created will be ones that you remember, always.
Respect your kid’s choices:
It is important to respect those choices. Children reach out for independence at a young age, and parents can help to foster those decision-making skills by being supportive and even looking the other way on occasion.
Make them a priority:
Your children need to know that you believe they are a priority in your life. Children can observe excessive stress and notice when they feel you are not paying them attention. Sometimes, part of being a parent is not worrying about the small stuff and enjoying your children. They grow up so fast, and every day is special. Do make the most of it. You could start right away!

Popping pleasure !

Stress relief, diet aid, lucky charm: few can resist the allure of bubble wrap and now a Japanese company is finding new reasons to pop till you drop.

In Japan, the plastic packaging material is best known by a local brand-name Puti Puti, pronounced "poochy-poochy", and Kawakami Sangyo Co, its biggest manufacturer, has set up the Puti Puti Culture Laboratory dedicated to finding unusual uses for it.

"I think about Puti Puti almost every waking hour," said Ayaka Sugiyama, the head of the laboratory whose hobbies include singing in a five-person band called "Puti Metal".

"I'm not an expert in psychology, but it is said that if people see a chair, they want to sit in it. If they see a button on an intercom, they want to push it," she said.

"It's the same with Puti Puti. The bubbles stick out, so you want to squash them."

Hoping to tap into Puti Puti's appeal, Sugiyama started jotting down notes on unusual uses of the packaging material about seven years ago and the ideas were compiled in a "Puti Puti Official Book" published last year.

Among the suggestions are injecting the bubbles with coloured ink to create mosaic-like artwork, sitting on the sheets at picnics, sewing them into in a wedding dress and -- this from an 85-year-old woman -- popping bubbles to help prevent senility.

Kawakami Sangyo teamed up with toy maker Bandai Corp to develop a Mugen Puti Puti, or an "infinite pop pop" key chain with eight re-poppable bubbles -- although Puti Puti purist Sugiyama admits the sensation isn't the same as the real thing.

Sugiyama, a slender 30-year-old, says she sometimes pops Puti Puti bubbles while watching TV as a way to keep her hands busy and refrain from munching junk food.

Kawakami Sangyo, whose main customers for Puti Puti are manufacturers, is creating products aimed at retail consumers.

"Pucchin Sukatto", a box of small bubble wrap sheets developed solely for popping, went on sale at convenience stores for 198 yen ($1.78) in October and a "Puti Puti Calendar" comes with a square bubble on each day of the month.

"For those who think one Puti Puti per day is not enough, there are extras at the end of each month," Sugiyama said.

Kawakami Sangyo also includes one heart-shaped bubble per every 10,000 on ordinary wrapping for good luck -- sort of like a four-leaf clover -- and offers special sheets of giant bubbles that make a startlingly loud cracking noise when popped.

The company is now trying to develop star-shaped bubbles as well as scented Puti Puti, though both have proven tricky.

"The scent doesn't last," Sugiyama said of the efforts so far to make strawberry-scented Puti Puti.

"But we're still trying. Bursting the bubbles makes you feel calm and reduces stress and if there were a scent, it would be even more soothing."

Divya Dutta has lost tons of weight !

Actress Divya Dutta shocked us when we spotted her last. The actor has lost tons of weight and told us she is constantly being asked, ‘Whatever happened to you?’ The actor adds, “Well, I have lost weight and I am feeling good about myself.

The only thing is that people don’t believe this is me and are asking me, “Where is your elder sister Divya?” she laughs. Well, a compliment like that can do great things to women!

New, Fresh Love rules !

Just because you’ve always done something one way doesn’t mean it’s the right way. Remember how much your life improved when you finally gave up super-lowrise jeans, dating only bad boys, and dial-up modems? Relationship experts say that ditching the following seven love rules can be just as liberating, maybe more.

OLD RULE: DON’T BE A JEALOUS GIRLFRIEND

A lot of women think they’ll seem neurotic and needy if they act jealous. So when, say, a woman flirts with her man, many women may decide just to grit their teeth and play it cool to prove how secure they are.

NEW RULE: ACT A LITTLE TERRITORIAL

A couldn’t-care-less act can backfire, because a total absence of jealousy can be seen by your guy as a sign that you aren’t investing in the relationship. No, you can’t go all fatal attraction every time he comes into contact with another woman, but it is OK to casually point out specific things that irk you like when a friend flirts with him or he repeatedly brings up a female co-worker you distrust.

OLD RULE: NEVER GO TO BED ANGRY

You are trained to talk it out when there’s tension because you want resolution.

NEW RULE: SLEEP ON A PROBLEM

Heat-of-the-moment discussions can spiral out of control quickly. When you force an issue, you blab without having thought out what you need to say, which increases the chance that you’ll both blurt out things you’ll regret later. And that’s doubly true if you’re tired. Sleeping on it first allows you to sort out what points are truly important. It also lets you decompress so that you’ll be calmer and more rational when you make your case. Just say, “I’m irritated and need time away.” It can be smart to acquiesce if he’s asking for a recess, too. Instead of insisting that you hash it out at that moment, schedule a time to readdress the issue. Saying “Let’s talk about this tomorrow after work” makes it clear that you intend to revisit
the conversation ...
and that he’s not off the hook.

OLD RULE: CRUSHING ON OTHER GUYS IS CHEATING

Unlike men, who feel free to ogle away at chicks without the slightest sense of remorse, women have a tendency to overthink a fleeting flirtation or lusty attraction to other men. Some women worry that they’re betraying their boyfriends or that it’s a sign that something is wrong in their relationship. So, they ignore the compliments they get or look through that handsome guy in office. The end result is that you get all the guilt of an illicit affair without any of the fun.

NEW RULE: AN INNOCENT FANTASY CAN FUEL YOUR LOVE LIFE

The juiced-up feeling you get from a clandestine crush can be good for your existing twosome. The reason? You start to feel like that foxy, flirtatious single girl you used to be (the one your man found so irresistibly hot), and he reaps the benefits of your reawakened excitement.

OLD RULE: ALWAYS TRY TO WOW HIM IN THE SACK

You like to spend a lot of time cooking up ways to blow your guy’s mind between the sheets, which, to be clear, is a very good thing. The danger begins if you focus on pleasing him to the point where you don’t get your own O-zone needs met. Women sometimes have a hard time articulating what they want, particularly in bed.

NEW RULE: BE SELFISH BETWEEN THE SHEETS

Men pride themselves on being able to get you off, so even though it seems like a giving nature would provide him with the ultimate gratification, you’ll actually erode his sexual ego over time if he thinks your toes aren’t curling, too. If you’re not satisfied, you both end up unhappy. The solution is easy, even if you’re too shy to say outright what you like.

OLD RULE: YOU HAVE TO SHARE THE SAME INTERESTS

Some couples mistakenly think that being on the same page and being close means taking an active interest in all of each other’s pastimes.

NEW RULE: SOLO TIME BOOSTS YOUR BOND

Forcing yourself to participate in his random hobbies dilutes your interactions. You get bored and ask him lots of questions, and he feels uncomfortable because he knows you’re not really interested. Conversely, pressuring him to take part in your extracurriculars will just make him resentful. Enjoy your interests on your own.

Indonesia finds death Entertaining !

Indonesian mourners wearing black congregate by a lawn-fringed plot here on the outskirts of the capital, Jakarta, as they await the arrival of the body of their relative and friend. Once the funeral service is over, they have the choice of taking a dip in the Olympic-size pool nearby, rowing a boat across the lake or, in the nottoo-distant future, having lunch at an Italian restaurant.
In a city where the dead literally face eviction if their relatives fail to pay regular fees for the upkeep of their final resting place, a new and vast cemetery-cumentertainment complex aims to fill a niche for the rich. With helicopters to cut hours off a road trip to this sprawling facility 46 km outside traffic-clogged Jakarta, the ambition of the developers is clear. So far, just 25 hectares out of a planned 500 have been developed at San Diego Hills Memorial Park. Manicured walkways and tree-shaded roads wind through the hilly compound, a world away from the public cemeteries which are often unkempt. “We are inspired by the memorial park concept from the US and Europe, where the beauty of well-maintained and manicured lawns removes the eerie feeling usually found in traditional cemeteries,’’ said Suziany Japardy, an associate director of San Diego Hills.

Most talked Uncoupling in tinsel world !

Everyone believed their relationship was for life long.

Years of steadfast commitment and people thought theirs was an affair set in stone. So when the Kareena-Shahid love story which went awry was splashed in media, many dismissed it as a publicity ploy to promote the pair’s forthcoming flick.

While that’s a thought, it wouldn’t be too wrong to suggest splitsville as another name for Bollywood/Hollywood. Here are the some famous break ups in tinsel world:

SAHEED KAPOOR - KAREENA KAPOOR

AISHWARYA RAI – SALMAN KHAN/VIVEK OBEROI

AAMIR KHAN – REENA

YUVRAJ SINGH – KIM SHARMA

SAIF ALI KHAN – AMRITA SINGH/ROSA

JENNIFER ANISTON AND BRAD PITT

BRITNEY SPEARS – KEVIN FEDERLINE

TOM CRUISE – NICOLE KIDMAN

JEMIMA GOLDSMITH – IMRAN KHAN/HUGH GRANT

It's mostly about dalliances rather than alliances in the world of celluloid charmers.

In Remembrance ! ( Ustadji )

What a way to offer a tribute to the maestro! Subhankar Ghosh’s docu-drama titled Yaad-EBismillah on the shehnai maestro was a perfect treat for music lovers at the GD Birla Sabaghar. What perhaps saddened many was to see the footages of the maestro when he was on his death bed, looking frail with too many tubes jutting out of his body.

But such is life and the only solace lies in the music of the maestro that has transcended all such mortal barriers. It was indeed nice to hear Dr Soma Ghosh’s tribute to Khan saab. Her rendition of kheyal, kajri, ghazal and Shayamsangeet had the audience hypnotised by the charm of the Benaras gharana. Equally captivating was the brief jugalbandi between Ghosh and Khan saab’s nephew, Mumtaz Hussaain .

The concluding session saw the performance of Tal Rang ensemble with endangered instruments including, Bangla dhol and eshraj. By the time the recital ended with a five-minute-long dhun on the eshraj, youngsters were seen enthusiastically clapping to the music. An instrument that can generate such response surely can’t be allowed to fade into oblivion. Surely, the city could do with more such concerts to wean listeners to this form of music.
Related Link - Tribute to a master : Yaad-E-Bismillah !

An all-star salute to Julia Roberts !

That famous Julia Roberts smile was flashing more than usual Friday night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where the American Cinematheque honored the actress with its 22nd annual award.
The ceremony, to air Dec. 5 on AMC, featured her co-stars past and present sharing memories of working together and introducing themed montages from her films.

The montage that got the biggest laugh most likely will never air on AMC. Introduced by Sally Field, who noted their mutual fondness for expletives, the package featured clips of Roberts using various curse words.

Tom Hanks did a bit equating Roberts to the letters in QUAKE: Q, for the question he always gets: "What's it like working with Julia Roberts? U: Upstaging. A: Asterisk, as in actors' credits punctuated by a "* worked with Julia Roberts." K: The Knowledge that Julia will be going home to a husband who is way better looking than you will ever be. And E: Everybody loves Julia Roberts.

Satin Comfort !

Gods of Couture love dressing women in sexy satin. There’s nothing like the luxury and comfort of smooth satin. Be it satin gowns, skirts, slips or lingerie, satin is the favourite fabric. Romancing in satin builds a mood. Curvy women know how soft satin can highlight their sensual curves.


Remember, Marilyn Monroe’s satiny dress when she performed Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Afterwards Madonna recreated the same satiny look in her song Material Girl. From red carpet walk at the Oscars to bollywood award nights, satin simply rules. Satin reflects luxury. It’s a fabric that understands feminity. Women just love the way it drapes around your body, it makes you fall in love with it.

The good thing about satin is, you can wear it during the day and night. Satin is all about sheer sheen. The best way to wear satin is in simple silhouettes, soft pleats, delicate drapes with dazzling accessories. A satin top during the day time teamed with a skirt looks so stylish and a black satin knee length dress is perfect for the evenings.

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Satin itself is such a lush and rich fabric that don’t go over the top while dressing. The key to this trend is to add a touch of glimmer without overdressing; wear just one embellishment at a time. Skinny sequinned scarves and pretty beaded bracelets can add trendy sparkle to any outfit. While jewel-accented hairbands and colourful vintage brooches achieve lady-like glamour instantaneously.

Love,Lust,Forever !

People sometimes say that they know a couple married for 20 years whose sex life is still as good as if they were just married. Here’s what you should tell them—If that’s the case, there are only three possibilities: One, the couple is lying; two, they didn’t have good sex to begin with or three, sex is all they really have together, they never connected emotionally. Well, sharing lives is very different from sharing dinners, long walks or weekends. When you were dating the man you ultimately married, you were both acting most of the times, always putting your best foot forward. When you were dating, if you complained to him about your day not going well, he would take your hand and ask, “Tell me what happened.” Now, after marriage, when he asks how your day was, you will simply snap a quick, “Fine,” and leave it at that. And, hey, he is happy to leave it at that too. Why? Because when you are living with someone 24/7, it’s difficult to be adoring or keep up the aura of mystery. Here are some truths about sex, for most married couples:

LOVE IS CONSTANT, PASSION IS NOT Everything in the universe eventually demagnetises when left close to something of the opposite charge. Magnets do. So do men and women. Some people fall out of lust in seven days, never mind seven years or 17! Basic animal attraction is a force of nature that seems designed to make us mate. Relaxing in our marriages and freeing ourselves from the pressure of trying to impress our partners has a predictable outcome. Our partners are not impressed. The magnetic spell we once cast on them begins to waver. And causes the loss of passion.

COSY IS COMFY, BUT NOT SEXY The more familiar men and women get with each other, the more they cease to be princes and princesses, gods and goddesses who evoke romantic fantasies or inspire amorous worship. Since couples lucky enough to be emotionally genuine with each other share so many real moments, they need to pay special attention to creating magical moments—because great sex requires magic. You can have a close marriage and recapture a good sex life—but only once you admit that reigniting romance takes creativity and a dedicated amount of time and energy.

INTIMACY IS NOT EQUAL TO SEX When a man and a woman reveal themselves to each other, it makes each person feel more vulnerable. And, particularly for men, it’s hard to have amazing sex while feeling emotionally exposed. Our earliest experiences with being intimate comes from our relationships with our parents. And those relationships are asexual. That’s why some husbands and wives are open about what pleases them sexually only when they have affairs. They feel as if they have to be free of family to be free with their amorous impulses. Change that by treating your spouse as your lover instead!

SING ALONG !

With a host of music-based talent hunts on air, perhaps you too are itching to get your hands on a microphone and burst out into melody! Now, Magic Sing lets you be the singer. And worry not about the lyrics, for they also offer a portable karaoke system. You can select from 650 Hindi and 600 fully orchestrated songs with lyrics displayed on your screen. The best part—it doesn’t need any special hardware. Simply plug it in and play, oops, croon along! Price: Rs 8,990

An affair with Raima Sen !

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Everyone knows about Raima Sen’s brief relationship with Kunal Kapoor (of Rang De Basanti fame). But here’s more. After that, late last year, Raima had another brief affair, this time with politician Kalikesh Singh Deo who is a Bhubaneshwar-based MLA. However, the relationship did not last long and they parted ways at the end of March, this year. Says a source, “Raima and Kalikesh were very close. They looked very good as a couple. Everyone thought that their relationship would get more serious, but sadly, that did not happen. They parted ways, but not on an ugly note. The main reason was that their careers were as different as chalk and cheese. Their work did not allow them to meet much and relationship lost its fizz. They were together for only four months.” Unlike most actors, Raima did not beat around the bush about her love life, when we asked her about it. She frankly admitted that she was involved with Kalikesh towards the end of last year. “We were together, but the relationship did not last long. He is in Bhubaneshwar and I am in Mumbai. We didn’t make much headway because of the distance between the two cities.”


Kalikesh Singh Deo comes from the royal family of Bolangir and is the youngest member of the Orissa State Assembly. Elected to the House in 2004, he won from Saintala Assembly constituency, which was previously held by the Indian National Congress. He completed his schooling from the Doon School, Dehradun and graduated in Economics from St Stephen’s College, Delhi University. He represented India in shooting and basketball. He is currently the BJD Bolangir District President and member of the Public Accounts Committee and Energy Committee of Orissa Assembly.