Not everything went well for Gulshan Devaiah, who plays the chief antagonist in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Ram-Leela’. Since the movie is based in Gujarat, the actor had to wear traditional costumes and jewellery for the film. A key element of that look is the earrings he is wearing. (Gulshan Devaiah )
Gulshan was initially excited with the idea of wearing the heavy earrings as the script, the look and the director demanded it. He, however, realised that they were pressing against his ear lobes and as a result gave him headaches and radiating pain down his neck & shoulders. “I spent hours and days trying to manipulate the shape of the earrings to fit my ears comfortably but it just didn’t work. They were really painful. I just had to put up with the pain as the earrings were such an integral part of the brilliantly designed look .”
Gulshan plays the character of Bhavani . The movie is slated to release on 15th November, 2013.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Bollywood> News & Interviews> Costume / by Tanvi Trivedi / November 13th, 2013
The 18th Field Marshal KM Cariappa Memorial Lecture was held on Monday at the convention hall of Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
The event is held annually as part of the Infantry Day celebrations, which over the years, has become an occasion for prominent speakers to share their insights and thoughts on dynamically evolving strategic national security issues and imperatives of higher military leadership.
Lieutenant General SK Sinha (Retd), the erstwhile Vice Chief of Army Staff, a renowned veteran who has also rendered distinguished services to the nation in his capacity as India’s ambassador to Nepal as well as Governor of J&K and Assam, shared his experiences of the critical phase of transformation of the Indian Army at the time of India’s Independence and dwelt upon the personality and leadership traits of the Field Marshal.
He credited the Field Marshal with displaying visionary leadership and laying the foundations of the core values and military ethics of the modern Indian Army.
Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh speaking on the occasion, stressed on the continued relevance and necessity of upholding the core values of integrity, loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, courage and honour, as well as the necessity of ensuring financial probity in all dealings.
He highlighted various initiatives which the Army was relentlessly pursuing towards reinforcing these core values amongst all ranks, especially in the changing socio-economic milieu.
A large number of serving officers and the veteran community attended the event.
source: http://www.indiablooms.com / India Blooms / India Blooms News Service (IBNS) / New Delhi – November 11th, 2013
Lt. Col. (Retd.) M.C. Uthaiah (76), hailing from Munjandira family and a resident of Vijayanagar First Stage, passed away at the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Course here this morning.
He is survived by wife Chummi Uthaiah and a large number of relatives. Last rites took place at Chirashanthidhama in Gokulam this afternoon. Uthaiah was an ardent golfer and an active member of the Mysore Kodava Samaja.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / November 08th, 2013
Gulshan Devaiah, who has featured in films like Hate Story and Shaitan, is all set to don his bad guy avatar again, this time for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram-Leela. The actor, who plays Deepika Padukone’s cousin in the film, says, “Casting director Shruti Mahajan spotted me. She arranged a meeting with Mr Bhansali who had not seen a single film of mine. He was looking at me with a director’s eye and by the end of the meeting he finalised me for the part. I didn’t have to audition for it.”
The actor reveals his first meeting with co-star Deepika Padukone was an interesting one too. He reveals, “I am good friends with my Shaitan co-star Kalki Koechlin. She was shooting for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and invited me over to the sets. I went and sat near the monitor next to Deepika but was tongue-tied. I wanted to say something intelligent and didn’t want to make a fool of myself. My dilemma finally ended when she initiated the conversation and said hello. I then told her that I’m in Ram- Leela too.”
While the actor’s big break came with Shaitan he says filming it wasn’t an easy experience. He reveals, “The most horrifying moments were the underwater shots as I can barely swim. Bejoy would make us shoot at the deep end of the pool as you get the best camera angle there. Every time I would almost drown somebody would grab my hand. Once I almost drifted away and Kalki rescued me.”
While Gulshan is all set to be the new bad guy in Bollywood and shares his name with iconic villain Gulshan Grover, he tells us that he is often confused with the veteran actor. “He is definitely a legend and I respect him. I am often confused with him because of my name. When Yash Chopra passed away, from 8 am to midnight, I got calls asking for my reactions since Gulshan Grover had worked with him.”
The actor reveals he has had no formal training in acting but puts his theatre experience to use in his films as well. “I had no formal training and didn’t know how to put it across to my parents that I want to take up acting as a career. I started out by working with theatre practitioners in Bengaluru. I worked on a lot of different and breathtaking folk theatre where I had to learn art forms like Kalaripayattu and Kathakali and I still use a lot of that experience for my film characters.”
Theatre has also played another important role in the actor’s life with him meeting wife Kallirroi Tziafeta, through it. He says, “My wife is an actress too and I met her during a play in Lucknow. That day I was filling in for Neil Bhopalam who didn’t have dates for a play he was doing . My now wife knew some people connected to the play so she came to watch the show and that’s where someone introduced us. We kept in touch after that and after some time I proposed marriage.”
While Gulshan has been appreciated for his negative roles he says that Ram-Leela may just be his last film as a villain. He says, “I have no plans of sticking to my bad guy image. Ram- Leela is my last role as a villain. I have just completed film, which is a romantic comedy. I have signed two films with Pooja Bhatt and these parts are not negative roles either. I never thought I’d make something my niche. I aim to be different. I have four films coming up which are different from each other. There is a possibility of being typecast but I wish to break away from that.”
source: http://www.asianage.com / The Asian Age / Home> Life and Style / by Natasha Coutinho, The Asian Age / November 05th, 2013
It’s been five years since actress Harshika Poonacha has been in Sandalwood, playing roles ranging from supporting actress to being a part of multi-starrers. The actress, who not long ago made the transition to playing lead heroine, recently bagged her first-ever state award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Shivarajkumar-starrer Thamassu. And that, the actress says, has taken her career to the next level. “No more supporting roles. I’ve arrived as a solo actress,” she says. Excerpts from the interview: (Harshika Poonacha ) Your fifth film Thamassu gort you a State Award. Is it beginner’s luck?
I started my career as a solo heroine with PUC, but it was a supporting character that got me a State Award. I wouldn’t say I got lucky, as I have worked hard for my role in Thamassu. I feel honoured to receive one of the most prestigious awards so early in my career. There will be pressure to choose good roles from now on. I am looking forward to doing solo female leads.
What are the challenges you faced in the industry?
In my five years in Sandalwood, I have maintained a decent track record. While my initial films saw me paired with newcomers, I wanted to work with top heroes like Puneeth Rajkumar and Shivarajkumar. I got to work with them, but as their sister. I have no complaints, though, as I was able to perform well in the roles that I got. I wanted to establish myself as a solo lead, as I was getting only roles to play the hero’s sister. In fact, I missed out on playing the female lead opposite Puneeth because I had played his sister in Jackie. It was a challenge to break free of that image.
You rarely make it to the gossip columns even though you are quite the party animal. But when you did, it was after a spat with Aviva Bidapa over who had the meatier role in Ale…
I don’t want to comment about it. Once the film released, it became clear just who had the better role. This is exactly why I don’t want to do multi-starrers. In fact, my upcoming films — B-3 and an upcoming Telugu film (which marks her Telugu debut) — will see me playing solo female lead. As for the partying bit, well, I have a group of friends who I am close to. I don’t party with people from the industry, but I am nice to people when I meet them at filmi events and share a cordial relationship with everyone. Jealousy comes when you know them too well. I’d like to party and stay close only with my friends.
Tell us about your role in B-3…
It is the most special film in my career. B-3 revolves around three characters — hero, heroine and one more character (which will be the suspense). Sriki (Srikanth) plays a psychopath and I play a college student. I fall in love with him and what happens then forms the crux of the story. Since Sriki’s character is mentally unstable, he gets physically abusive with me. Throughout the film, we compete against each other and both of us had a lot of scope to perform. In fact, Ghana Shyam ( director) didn’t even allow us to talk to each other. I also did a lot of stunts in the film, which is one of the highlights. I have just won a state award and this role will definitely elevate me to the next level. In fact, I am hoping to receive an award for my performance in B-3.
You have also done some intimate scenes in the film…
I have taken a lot of risk for this film and one among them is the intimate scene. I have kissed and even did lovemaking scenes for the first time. I asked Ghana if it was really required for the film and he convinced me that it is important. I just trusted him and went ahead with the scene. We shot for nearly half a day and the scene appears for just 15 seconds in the film. I was comfortable doing lovemaking scenes. Ghana showed me the edited version and I must say that it looks more romantic than vulgar.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada / by Sharanya CR / November 02nd, 2013
Sandalwood actress Harshika Poonacha is on cloud nine. At the Karnataka State Film Awards announced for the year 2011, she was adjudged the Best Supporting Actress for her work in the Kannada film Thamassu. The film, directed by Agni Sridhar, had Shivarajkumar in the lead. In fact, Shivarajkumar had won a Filmfare Best Actor nod for this film. The actress, who is currently in Hyderabad, took to her social networking page to thank the team of Thamassu. “Thamassu” The film which made me feel special,Thnx to Agni Shridhar sir and The Hatrick hero Shivanna sir My first STATE AWARD is dedicated to you both coz I wudn have made it possible without you both:) Thnq so much for the support and blessings :)) Also I thank all my beloved frens for wishing me on calls,texts and social networking sites :)) Love u all,muaaaaahhhhh,” she wrote. (Harshika Poonacha )
When TOI reached out to the actress, she sounded ecstatic. “I am overjoyed. In fact, I was sleeping when the award was announced and my phone was on mute. I missed a whole bunch of calls and messages. I am replying to everyone now,” she said, adding that the team of her new film was throwing a party for her this evening. “Right now, my award is the only thing on my mind,” she signed off.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada> Filmfare / Pratibha Joy, TNN / October 25th, 2013
Growing up, I watched my dad following cricket devotedly. I distinctly remember my father pointing Sachin Tendulkar to me, saying he was an upcoming player and would do well.
Cricket could easily pass off as a religion in India and whether you like it or not, the sport grows on you at a very young age when you see it being played by everyone, whether it’s in school, parks, on the road etc., It has been the same in my case too, so much so I still absolutely love playing cricket when I find the time.
Since the age of 13, I really started following cricket and, of course, Sachin who had become a national icon by then. The stuff, which caught my eye, was definitely his straight drive and the manner in which he moved swiftly and the ease that he hit the ball with.
Sachin is an iconic figure according to me. At such a young age he was a revelation not only on the field but also off it with the maturity in which he conducted himself during his interviews.
Playing a professional sport myself, when I read about the amount of hard work and hours of training that Sachin put in practicing to become a professional athlete, I get motivated. I was motivated to see that even a quality player like him would put in so much of time into his sport. It just goes to show that there are no short-cuts.
I remember meeting Sachin in Bangalore for the first time, when he had come to open a sports bar, which I was invited for among few others. I got to spend some time and have dinner with him and it was an honour to see how humble and down to earth he was.
Sachin is a sportsman known worldwide; I remember seeing him at Wimbledon few years ago and even met him once at the stadium as he had come to watch Roger Federer play. To just have him watching our sport was a fabulous feeling.
I would most definitely remember the innings he played in the Sydney Test match in 2004 when he was 241 not out. He was so well composed and delivered a quality innings.
In a regular scenario, time just passes by. But two minutes spent talking to Sachin Tendulkar was such an honour which I will always cherish.
I am certain he will be not forgotten easily and will be spoken about in many years to come for sure. Sachin is an icon in so many ways that no matter what he takes up I am sure he would be supported, respected and loved for it.
— As told to Sudatta Mukherjee
(Rohan Bopanna is a tennis player and currently ranked third in the world in doubles rankings. In 2010, Bopanna along with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, popularly known as the ‘Indo-Pak Express’ finished runners-up in doubles at the US Open.)
source: http://www.cricketcountry.com / CricketCountry.com / Home> News & Features / by Rohan Bopanna / October 28th, 2013
Bombay Gold Cup is a popular tournament and some of India’s top teams participate in it. Some of India’s biggest stars have enthralled crowds at the Mahindra Stadium in Churchgate. (Few members of the Indian…)
What makes the 48th edition of this tournament unique though, is that seven players from the 2001 Junior World Cup winning team are in the city.
On Thursday, the Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd. (MHAL), which is conducting the Bombay Gold Cup, felicitated the heroes of that spectacular triumph 12 years ago.
Mumbai boy Viren Rasquinha, Indian Oil’s Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh and Devesh Chouhan, Air India boys Prabodh Tirkey, Arjun Halappa and Vikram Pillay were all handed mementoes in between matches at the MHA on Thursday.
All the players have fond memories of their triumph, which briefly marked the revival of Indian hockey.
Recalling his experience, Halappa who has now become a national selector, says: “It was a turning point for Indian hockey, a revival of sorts. Players started getting attention and with it came decent money from the government. We also found a sponsor in Sahara who gave us all the support we needed.
“The future of hockey was looking up.”
That entire batch was arguably the best India has seen in a long, long time. Many of the World Cup heroes graduated to become formidable India stars. Rasquinha, in fact, went on to lead the team.
Explaining the reason behind the team’s success, striker Deepak Thakur, who top-scored with ten goals including two hat-tricks in the tournament, says: “Our approach was positive. Even before we could leave for Hobart, we had created a positive atmosphere. We had decided that come what may, we have to win this World Cup. We stayed like a family and every player knew another very well, as a result of which we combined well on the field.”
Rasquinha, who probably was in the best form of his career, couldn’t agree with his teammate more: “The best thing about that team was that coach Rajinder Singh created a super atmosphere. We knew each other very well, because we were playing as a unit since 1998. I guess sharing a good rapport with teammates makes a big difference,” he insists.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Hockey> Air India / by Sudheendra Tripathi, TNN / October 25th, 2013
Nikhil Chinappa (EPS)
One of the biggest festivals of the country, Sunburn will no longer have one of the country’s popular favourite artistes, Nikhil Chinapa. Instead, Chinapa will be seen collaborating with LIVE Viacom18 as the festival director, “I am going to be working with them as an artist. I do not aim to make the festival bigger and better than Sunburn,” he begins. As for the new festival, Chinapa says, “We haven’t decided a name. I want the festival to be amazing. Order a masala dosa but what matters is who you are eating it with, what time of the day it is, what music is running in the background and if the girl at the opposite table looked at you and smiled. I think all these factors make the experience amazing.”
The festival, scheduled from December 26 to 30 will be electronic and may coincide with Sunburn’s dates. “My vision is to have 17 screens at the end of 10 years. I will also include camping in the third year of the festival,” he adds. Chinapa promises a lot of new talent, artistes from abroad and of course his wife and DJ Pearl.
The venue will remain the same, Goa, though Chinapa agrees that down South, the East Coast Road in Chennai could also be a great spot to host the festival. “I think go-MAD is doing pretty good when it comes to Chennai. They should make it the biggest festival in Chennai. I did come for the latest version and it was well done.” He is also organising a festival for 21 year olds. “This fest has no alcohol and will teach youngsters to be music producers. The fest will be conducted by professionals,” he concludes. More information about the new festival will be announced later this month.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Mrinalini Sundar / ENS – Hyderabad / October 25th, 2013
When people embrace dual responsibilities, dealing with the double-edged sword becomes inevitable. Air India’s Arjun Halappa is currently busy negotiating the many predicaments that come along with being a national selector and being an active player.
Being a player, Halappa rubs shoulders with potential candidates who could go and represent the country some day, while being a selector though, he has to ensure bias doesn’t creep in while doing his national duty. And as Halappa puts it: “drawing a line is critical”. (Being a player, Arjun Halappa…)
“I have played a lot of hockey and I know I have a lot more hockey left in me. So on that front I am assured. I have always idol-worshipped Dhanraj Pillay as a player. I try to emulate him as far as possible. Even at the age of 40-41, Dhanraj was a force to reckon with. So I want to follow in his footsteps. But it is a different ball game being a selector,” said Halappa, who turned out for Air India in the opening encounter of the 48th edition of the Bombay Gold Cup against Indian Navy at Churchgate’s Mahindra Stadium. For the record, Air India thrashed Navy 6-1.
“Having played hockey, people expect me to give them a hearing. They take it for granted that I will succumb to their requests just because I have shared the dressing room with them. But that is not the case. As a player, I will always respect the equation I share with my teammates. But when it comes to picking up the right candidate for India camps, I will do my job professionally,” added Halappa, who was part of India’s squad at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
At 32, Halappa is one of the youngest selectors. Dealing with senior selectors such a BP Govinda (Olympian and chairman of selectors) would sure be a tricky proposition. “You have to be respectful for sure. But I’ve been assigned a task and I believe doing my job with total commitment. Thankfully, I’ve never been required to assert myself.”
Results: Air India 6 (DS Darshan, Shivendra Singh, Birendra Lakra, Vikram Pillay, VS Vinaya, Joga Singh) bt Indian Navy 1 (Amit Kumar Goswami).
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Hockey> Air India / by Sudheendra Tripathi, TNN / October 21st, 2013
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