Delhi Age

‘Paa brought out my maternal instincts’

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:44:06 GMT

Nidhi Sethi

The Asian Age

A curvaceous and toned Vidya Balan exuding old world charm in a bottle green Sabyasachi Mukherjee sari accompanied her good friend, the designer to his flagship store in the capital. An absolute food lover, she didn’t give herself any dietary restrictions, but focused more on exercises. Vidya says, "To attain a size zero frame was never my aim. I just wanted to look healthy and in shape. So I watched what I ate."

Vidya is super-excited about playing a doting mother to Amitabh Bachchan in R. Balki’s film Paa and says that being a sociology student helped her understand the role better. Though Vidya was sceptical in the beginning, she finally agreed to do the role. "I will give full marks to Balki for writing such a good script and making such a fabulous film. Initially, I had many doubts, but when my family and friends told me to go by my gut-feeling and when Balki convinced me about the potential of the role, I agreed to be a part of the film," she adds.

To prepare herself for the role, Vidya saw many docu-films and read a lot about the disease. She was even made to see a baby being delivered, check BP and heart rate. "I didn’t have any maternal instincts, but eventually developed them during the course of the film and I felt so proud and elated that it is difficult to describe it in words," says Vidya.

So was the transition from being a university student to a mother of a child, difficult? At any point did she regret her decision? Says Vidya, "Not at all. Balki’s vision was so clear and compelling that there was no scope for any doubts. Everything was going in a flow and I just went with it. Balki is a perfectionist and believes in settling any doubts before moving further."

For her next film Ishqiya, Vidya will be mouthing expletives and engaging in explicit gestures, what does she have to say about the film being too "controversial"? Vidya sums up by saying, "I can’t comment on the film, but I am confident about my role and I feel it is important for an actor to take up challenging roles."

E-book tightens hook

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:43:47 GMT

Debarun Borthakur

The Asian Age

With technology condensing the world in our palms making everything from communication, banking, music to stock broking available on our fingertips, many were expecting a similar revolution in the publishing world (which came in the form of e-books). Though e-books have been a popular concept in the West, it won’t be wrong to say that bookworms in this part of the world are yet to get acquainted with this urban model. And recently, when two books by Indian authors debuted on the e-book format (Mantras: The Sacred Chants by Swami Veda Bharati and Yogini: Unfolding the Goddess Within by Shambhavi Chopra) on e-book reader Kindle, a question swept across many minds asking, "Can curling up with an e-book be as much fun as with a paper book?"

"Personally, I am not enticed by the idea. A reader shares a personal relationship with a book, and that is why he or she picks it up from the lot. If one loves the smell of a new book or the feel of paper, e-books are definitely not for them. The probability of e-books popularity is more among the youth than the older generation, as they are the Internet-savvy generation," opines Advaita Kala, whose book Almost Single’s e-book version was recently launched on Kindle in the US. Even the youth, who are hailed as "they-know-all" generation, when it comes to computers and Internet, are not keen on accepting electronic versions of their favourite books. "Technology cannot alter certain moments in one’s life, and I don’t think e-books would ever be able to replace paper books in the future. How can technology replace the sensation of flipping through pages of one’s favourite book, the habit of marking certain lines or quotes and such small gestures?" asks Ayesha Ahmed, a 25-year-old primary school teacher.

However, if you thought you would do away with e-books simply by asserting your love for hardcover books and personal reading habits, there is also an awareness issue attached to the initiative, which in today’s time is of great significance – the eco-friendly quotient. And especially, if one wants to morally contribute to afforestation, the facts are enough of a reason to make one switch on his computer to read an e-book. "There is no doubt that it is a motivating factor towards environmental awareness, but I don’t think people would want to compromise with their habit of reading paper books for it. I think there is still time for the initiative to really gain acceptance in India," adds Kala.

Executive director of Greenpeace Anant Pradhan is all praise for the initiative as he feels one would only be able to read more books, if the environment is preserved. "The issue here is not books, but trees, which we are losing out on. I don’t mind compromising on my love for reading paper books for the sake of our environment," he avers.

Time to jazz it up

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:35:24 GMT

Debarun Borthakur

The Asian Age

Carrying forward the 31-year-old legacy of "jazzing up" music lovers in the capital, 100 Pipers Jazz Utsav 09 is all set to take people on a "stand up, sing along and swinging" ride this Saturday. With a list of performers that can make any jazz lover reminisce the golden days of vinyl records and the genre's aesthetics, this year, Capital Jazz (the organisers) have brought an array of musicians to perform in three cities as a part of the Utsav. The two-day event in Delhi would see some contemporary names in the world of jazz music, which include stalwarts like Wayne Krantz and Co., Beatle Jazz, Eric Vloeimans Quartet along with Amit Heri and Sanjay Divecha as representatives of Indian jazz.

"It is a great opportunity for us to connect to a few more new people. I have great expectations that our music would be useful for them in some respect. Though I don't know much about Indian music, hopefully, people here would get to hear some music, which they are not used to," says New York-based guitar player Wayne Krantz, who along with Anthony Jackson, Cliff Almond and David Binny will play the headlining act at the Utsav tomorrow.

"David and I have known each other for almost 15 years now, but this is the first time we will be performing as a band. It would be definitely exciting," says the 53-year-old musician.

Krantz informs that he would have loved to do a collaborative project with sitar maestro Late Ustad Villayat Khan, and believes collaboration to be a very personal desire. "In recent times Wayne has become quite a sensation in the jazz world. His approach to guitar playing is so fresh and new that I am hopeful that after this concert people would want to hear Wayne again and again," opines musician and member of the selection committee for Capital Jazz Louiz Banks.

However, Louiz also spoke about the limitations that Capital Jazz, being a non-profit organisation, has in terms of funding and sponsors.

He shared his grief about the fact that Capital Jazz usually invites only those European musicians, whose visits are subsidised by the government due to the lack of funds to organise the event. "Voluntarily funding has always been a problem. Moreover, a lot of musicians couldn't come because of the lack of dates as they have other concerts to do. However, to simply put it, we are doing it only for the love of jazz," he concludes.

Shilpa is Ash’s new neighbour

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:29:57 GMT

Always dream big and hope for the best because your wishes might just be granted. Shilpa Shetty is a classic example of someone who has gotten everything on her own terms. Her sister Shamita left Bigg Boss early to attend Shilpa’s wedding, Shilpa is marrying the man she loves and the icing on the cake is that Raj Kundra has decided to settle in Mumbai so that his celebrity wife can continue to be associated with the film industry! Now which tycoon do you know who’ll do that? Look at Karishma Kapur’s hubby Sanjay, he got the lady to live in Delhi on his terms.

The only snag in Shilpa land is that her dream house being designed by Suzanne Roshan will not be ready until February 2010. So the newly wedded couple has found a new home bang opposite Amitabh Bachchan’s house in Juhu. The two Bunt women (Shilpa and Aishwarya) will be next-door neighbours. What I want to know is will Ash befriend and love her new neighbour and country cousin Shilpa?

Pool in with strangers to save auto fare

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:29:33 GMT

Shruti Badyal

The Asian Age

Be it the unprecedented rates autowallahs ask for, or the shortage of autorickshaws in many areas, autowallahs continue to fleece customers. But many commuters now claim to have found a way out. Keeping their security in mind, many in the capital willingly share an auto with a stranger heading in the same direction. So, instead of wasting time by waiting for an autorickshaw for too long, you can now try and share the ride with someone going in the same direction, thus saving time and money. For those who have tried this new way to save time and money already, share their experience, and offer some advice on safety too.

"I was coming back from Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan at 9 pm a few days back, when I met this girl who was also looking for an auto. When I boarded the auto, she asked if she could share the ride with me. I had to go to YWCA and she wanted to go to The Park hotel. So we shared the fare. I think it’s safe as long as you are equipped with something to save you in case of any trouble."

Many among those who occasionally pool in while boarding an auto have a piece of advice for those who still haven’t tried this new way to save time and money. Patricia Pelegrini, a student shares, "I have shared an auto twice. The first experience was good. But the second time, the autowallah said he would charge us both differently. We ended up fighting with him and he dropped us before the destination. So I would suggest, just in case you share the auto with someone, make sure the autowallah knows you plan to go dutch. And I don’t think it’s a great idea as there are chances of getting into trouble."

Others share their bitter experience and warn that one should be careful who you agree to invite. Stefan Kaye, a musician in Delhi says, "I have pooled in several times with a stranger and always ask his destination. Pooling is a great option if the passenger looks decent. For instance, last week, a drunk guy appeared out of nowhere and hopped into my auto and it turned out that he was going the same way after he approached the driver at a traffic light. But he didn’t even seek my permission and was bugging me throughout the journey. Such incidents raise questions about the safety of pooling in."

Mobiles aren’t Bebo friendly

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:29:32 GMT

Poor Kareena Kapoor never learns from her mistakes and unlike Shilpa who has everything going her way, Bebo was in for some embarrassment recently. Cell phones just don’t like that girl I tell you, otherwise how does the same person go from an MMS fiasco to an SMS one! Aunty Shahnaz rang me the other day all excited saying she had access to Kareena’s lovey, dovey text to her Saifoo. When I asked her how she managed to do that, she told me to switch on the TV.

It hasn’t happened to anyone else but Bebo to date, and past experience has not made her wiser. She was inviting trouble for sure by messaging Saifoo while being surrounded by snoopy journalists waiting for a story. Her SMS got caught on camera and was being flashed everywhere as breaking news.

Only two days ago a group of activists took a morcha to her house and gave her a "suitable" gift — a sari — as a protest against her bare dare posters of Kurbaan. She’s probably hoping the success of the film is worth the kurbaani of privacy.

***

Jailhouse rocks?

Just when I was telling myself not to message anything delicious to anyone when I am around people my friend Aliya messaged me from Delhi, and asked me to ring her back as she had some hot gossip to spill. Without worrying about the group of people sitting around me at a lunch party I immediately rang her back.

She had just spotted Shiney Ahuja at the cinema where she went to watch Jail. Shiney may be out on bail but he isn’t hiding himself in the closet. Barred from entering Mumbai city limits, he was spotted watching Jail in Delhi. As if he hasn’t had enough of his own first hand experience behind bars that he wants to punish himself by watching a film that might give him nightmares. According to Aliya, he was probably just comparing notes!

That’s it for now sweeties, I am off gathering more juicy tid-bits for you.

Laugh your worries away

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:28:26 GMT

Age Correspondent

We all know the power of laughter and we all know that laughter lines are much better than stress lines on your forehead. So if you are stressed about something, try laughing it away by clicking onto the website mouserunner.com. This one is definitely for those who want a hearty laugh over something seemingly silly!

There are over 90 games and as many puzzles to choose from. What we found particularly rib-tickling are the interactive Dancing Bush and Bush Aerobics, where the former US president can be made to show some of his moves on the floor, complete with lights and music. He even shows you how to do Michael Jackson’s ‘moonwalk’!

Then there’s Bug on Wire, where the bug (the player) has to race along electric wires and avoid being eaten by the crows sitting on the wires! There’s another fun game called Bubble Trouble, where you have to ensure that bubbles coming at you don’t hit your head! The thing here is that the bubbles multiply with every hit.

The puzzles, meanwhile, are yours to keep and play whenever you want. Simply download them onto your screen. A disclaimer states that these downloads contain no spyware and do not run any software to access your computer. The puzzles come in categories like Kids, Movies, Sports and Fantasy. Choose your favourite from these fun puzzles.

There are plug-ins at the end of each page at mouserunner.com and they are downloadable free of cost. So if your browser doesn’t support the game’s version, simply download the plug-ins and play on.

‘Gaming is exciting and de-stressing’

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:28:24 GMT

Abhijeet Sawant

Singer

As a professional singer, a lot of my time is spent in the recording studio or on tour. When I am out of town for shows, I hardly get time to de-stress because practising for the show takes up most of my time. However, when I am at home, the flexibility of the job allows me to spend a couple of hours unwinding every day.

I am a typical guy and love gaming. I carry my PSP everywhere so that I can keep myself entertained with some football during breaks. I am a football freak and strongly support Chelsea. Since I am unable to watch all the matches, my friends constantly update me with the latest sports news. Whenever I can, I love to catch a live football game in a lounge. Watching a match with other people is always exciting and de-stressing at the same time, because people react instantly and there is a great energy all around.

I am not a party person and do not drink. On night-outs I make do with good food and a chilled soft drink.

I am not much of a reader. I even abandoned Harry Potter halfway and preferred watching the movie version. However, I do read when I find an interesting book since it increases my vocabulary.

I also carry my laptop everywhere so that I can watch movies on it. I recently watched The Devil Wears Prada and thoroughly enjoyed it. Such light-hearted films are the perfect way to unwind. I love spending time with friends but we prefer quiet places. Mostly we head out post 11 pm to some place that is not crowded and the food is good. However, my mantra for the perfect stress buster is "bas gaadi le kar nikal jaao". Very often my friends and I have spontaneously taken off for a drive to Lonavala and even Pune. However, we do not stay the night, just drink a cup of chai and drive back home.

(As told to Srishti Mittal)

Soups with a difference

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:27:51 GMT

Age Correspondent

With winter already here, what better time to indulge yourself with a nice thick creamy soup than now? But don’t go for those boring old, instant soups or even those run-of-the-mill chicken and mushroom soups. Give your soups an exotic twist simply by trying out some new ingredients. Whether you crave a lip-smacking continental fare or something deliciously oriental, soups can become the most interesting part of your meal. Chef Anand Kumar, Senior Sous Chef at BJN group says, "Soups can add an interesting touch to your meal, and they don’t have to be limited to the common sweet corn soup. Here are a few tips on making some exotic and yummy soups at home, which will liven up your meal." Elaborating on the recipes, he adds, "The first recipe is that of an unusual soup, based on the traditional Latin one-meal dish. They are served in small portions as an appetite stimulant. The second is a filling and zesty soup from Mexico that will warm you up in a jiffy.

This winter try these exotic soups and add a delicious twist to your winter fiesta.

Picadillo Soup (Cuban)

Ingredients

Serves 6

15 ml olive oil

500 gms lamb (mince)

175 gms onion (chopped)

2 kgs tomatoes, (tomatoes squeezed and cut into pieces and the juice reserved)

3 cloves of garlic (minced)

480 ml stock

1 apple, unpeeled, cored, and chopped

75 gms jalapenos, sliced thinly

10 stuffed olives

50 gms halved raisins

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon cloves

Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish: ½ cup almond pieces, sautéed and toasted in 1 teaspoon butter.

METHOD:

Brown the meat and onions in the olive oil in a large saucepan.

Stir in the garlic after the meat is brown, and then add the stock, reserved tomato juice, and all the remaining ingredients.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes. When ready to serve, ladle the soup into festive bowls and sprinkle with the toasted almonds. Serve immediately.

Mexican Tomato and Rice Soup

Ingredients

Serves 4

75 gms raw rice

1000 ml, vegetable stock

50 gms tomatoes, chopped

75 ml tomato paste

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon cumin

salt and pepper

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Garnish: 4 sprigs of cilantro; green chillies, cut in long, skinny strips lengthwise; avocado slices; or any combination of the above.

METHOD:

Add rice to 2 cups of boiling stock, cover, and cook till tender — about 20 minutes.

In another pot, blend the tomatoes and juice with the tomato paste and garlic.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Add the cumin and cilantro.

Stir in the cooked rice and season to taste.

NOTE: When ready to serve, blend in the remaining hot stock or enough to make your desired consistency — ladle into bowls — and top with garnish.

Colour my blues away

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:27:43 GMT

Pramita Bose

The Asian Age

Imagine a world without colours. Impossible! For it would look a dull, pallid canvas. To drive the drabness out of life, we need to make a happy splash of hues in our day-to-day usual business.

A rainbow of seven shades adds beauty to the sky and lifts your spirits. Noted English physicist Sir Isaac Newton’s colour-disc proves this phenomenon. Similarly, a palette of chromes decks up a pretty painting. Hop into any art gallery and you will see a window of diverse dyes open out before you. "After a brain-storming session at work or a rough ride down a clogged road, a visit to an art exhibition is a great stress reliever. It invokes a sense of serenity and is always joyfully exciting," prescribes clinical psychologist Sanchita Pakrashi.

It is justified to assume, that colours add a zing to the daily humdrum. Science tells us that colour is simply a light of varying wavelengths and frequencies. Exercising a strong impact on the minds, colours reveal tell-tale signs of our mood swings and body vitality. Pigments help perk up our moods in hard-pressed situations. So, can colours really help to keep the blues at bay?

Often we choose colours to depict our emotions. According to colour therapy experts, colours not only affect sentiments, but also help tackle illnesses though healing properties.

Nature spreads out a charming carpet of colours. Enter a garden, stroll along its stony path or soak in the beauty of dew-drenched meadows — all your worries are washed away in a flash. "I walk a mile every morning for that burst of fresh oxygen. It is healthy to gaze at a spot of greenery. It not only relaxes your mind, but also improves your vision," espouses Shekhar Nair, a morning walker from Bengaluru.

Take films, for example. A grand, colourful marquee always appears stunning to the weary mind. "Watching colourless scenes from Ray’s Aranyer Din-Ratri seamlessly spun into Gautam Ghosh’s coloured sequel Abar Aranye is a magical revelation of sorts. It instantly transports the mind to a different time-zone, detached from the present reality," comments eminent film scholar Sanjoy Mukherjee.

Even lessons at kindergarten become colourful as teachers introduce tiny tots to the world of doodling with crayons and colour pencils. "A picture is worth a thousand words. Teach a nursery child with the aid of colourful props and drawings and the child will respond promptly, as opposed to mere writing or blackboard lessons. Colours by far tingle a child’s creativity and interest in learning at a preparatory stage," observes Malini Sen, a primary schoolteacher. So whatever the stage of growth of scale of stress we are at, we could all use a dab of colour to wipe away our blues.

Try out some Tapas

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:24:21 GMT

Melanie Andrade

The Asian Age

Tapas have originated in Spain and now encompass a wide variety of snacks or appetisers that can be served cold or warm. Largely finger food, tapas are a great way to liven up a staid party menu. Very similar to Chinese dimsum or the mezze platters in the Middle East, Spanish tapas offer a unique way to sample a range of dishes and combine them to make a full meal. Served with cold beers or glasses of wine, tapas can be as simple as olives or chunks of cheese and as elaborate as batter-fried seafood or tomato drenched potatoes. Here are four simple recipes to start. Add to these, a selection of crusty breads, cheeses, cold cuts, and marinated olives to round off a delicious meal. Enjoy.

Crispy Squid

Ingredients

300 gms squid rings, cleaned

200 gms plain flour

2 ice cubes

3 eggs, beaten

Chilli flakes

Salt and pepper

Oil for frying

Method

Put the flour in a sturdy plastic bag and season well with salt and pepper. Throw the squid rings into the bag and shake well to coat them in flour. In a bowl, mix the ice cubes into the beaten egg. Toss the coated squid rings through the egg mixture. Remove from the bowl, shaking to let any excess egg fall away and place it in the flour again for another shake. Heat oil in a pan and fry the squid rings carefully. Cook for about two minutes until golden and crisp.

Remove and drain on kitchen paper. Serve rings hot with a sprinkling of chilli flakes on top.

Patatas Bravas

Ingredients

1 ½ kgs potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes

Oil for frying

1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 red chilli, finely chopped

¼ tsp chilli powder

100 ml white wine

400 gms tomatoes, chopped

Method

Heat oil in a large pan and fry the potatoes in two batches until golden and cooked well. Remove from pan and drain on a kitchen paper to absorb any excess oil.

In another pan, heat the olive oil and fry the garlic, onions and chillies until soft. Add the chilli powder and cook for a minute before pouring in the wine and chopped tomatoes. Bring this to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes till thickened.

Pile the fried potatoes on to a platter and pour the sauce over them.

Garlic Shrimp

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tsp chilli flakes

250 gms medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined

2 tbsp lime juice

2 tbsp sherry or cognac

1 tsp chilli powder

Handful of fresh parsley, chopped

Method

Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Add the garlic and chilli flakes and sauté for one minute. On a high flame, add the shrimp, lime juice, sherry/cognac and chilli powder. Sauté, stirring briskly, until the shrimp turn pink and curl — about three minutes. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and sprinkle with parsley. Serve hot.

Saffron Chickpeas and Spinach

Ingredients

2 tomatoes, finely chopped

400 gms chickpeas, boiled till soft and drained

250 gms spinach, chopped

A pinch of saffron

1 tbsp olive oil

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tsp tomato puree

Method

In a bowl, place the saffron and pour over 2 tbsp hot water and leave to stand for 10 minutes. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the garlic till golden. Add the tomato puree, tomatoes, chickpeas, the saffron water and 100 ml water.

Let it bubble till the sauce thickens and add the chopped spinach. Season well and serve.

Sanjeeda’s khatti meethi dal

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:24:08 GMT

I love Gujarati food and enjoy the tasty, traditional dishes that my mom rustles up. My all-time favourite is the khatti-meethi dal she makes."

Ingredients

1 cup Bengal gram

100 gm beetroot

50 gm groundnut

1 tsp mustard seeds

½ tsp cumin seeds

2 dried dates

50 gm jaggery

½ cup tamarind juice

1 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp coriander powder

6-7 curry leaves

1 piece cinnamon

2 tsp cloves

1 tsp clarified butter

1 tbsp chopped coriander

1 tsp salt

A pinch of asafoetida

2-3 chillies, ground to paste

Method

Rinse Bengal gram and add beet root pieces to it and cook. Then, add turmeric powder, salt, coriander powder, jaggery, dry dates, tamarind juice, curry leaves, groundnut, chilly paste and boil the mixture. For the seasoning, heat oil and add asafoetida, cloves, butter, cumin seeds, mustard seeds and cinnamon. Add to the gram and cook for five minutes. Garnish with coriander and serve.

Rules for a formal sit-down dinner

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:23:51 GMT

Rukhsana Eisa

How to eat that multi-course meal with dozens of utensils, plates and glasses? Which fork is mine? If all these questions were running in your head, even as you sat down to a five course meal, you’re obviously uninitiated in the etiquette of formal sit-down dinners. Here’s the dope.

Once seated at a table, remember that the food will be on the left and the drinks on the right. Use silverware outside in. The first fork will be your salad fork, farthest on the left. The larger fork to its right is the dinner fork. On the far right side, of your setting will be a soup spoon, and on its left, a teaspoon followed by the knife.

If bread baskets, butter, cream, salad dressings, sugar, salt and pepper are within your reach, start passing them around from the right. When you’re done with the soup, place the spoon on the plate beneath the bowl.

If you use your dinner knife to eat your salad, don’t place it on the plate, as it will be taken away with the salad plate.

The more courses there are, the smaller each course is. So, don’t stuff yourself. Eat the little bits and try to enjoy all the courses.

The writer is an etiquette expert

Add a Japanese touch to your ice cream

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:23:45 GMT

Age Correspondent

Game for trying something adventurous and new when it comes to your desserts? How about ice cream sushi? Sounds intriguing and a far cry from your good old ice cream with hot chocolate sauce and cheesecake? It is.

Pastry Chef Amaresan of Novotel Hyderabad, who came up with the idea, says, "The idea behind introducing ice cream sushi is to create a dessert version of the one of the most popular dishes from Japan — Sushi. Different flavours of ice-cream wrapped in a chocolate based wrapping are a sheer delight. It is a great way to serve an ice-cream based dessert".

Ice cream Sushi comes in a selection of wraps with white chocolate and dark chocolate. It also has various fillings like vanilla ice cream, fruit compots like water melon, papaya and pineapple and can be toped with various toppings like frosted cashew nuts, almonds, mango and guava sago sauce to give it a caviar look. It is a delicacy which is easy to make. Go ahead rustle up this delicious dessert at home and take a sinful bite of it.

Ice Cream Sushi with cranberry, mango and guava sauce

Take 50 gms of chocolate and spread 200 gms of vanilla ice-cream on a cold flat pan/surface (-18 degree C)

Wrap the ice cream onto the chocolate as a wrap roll and cut it into half to make two pieces. For filling, put slices of melon and pineapple with toppings of roasted cashew nuts and almonds.

For cranberry/mango/guava sauce:

Soak 100 gms of sago overnight and next day boil it with 500 gms cranberry juice till sago is cooked, the sauce is ready. Repeat the same for other sauces. Serve ice cream Sushi with the sauce.

Ice Cream Sushi with Butterscotch

Take 50 gms of chocolate and spread 200 gms of butterscotch ice-cream on a cold flat pan/surface (-18 degree C). Wrap the ice cream onto the chocolate as a wrap roll and cut it into half to make 2 pieces. For filling, put slices

of pineapple with toppings

of gems and roasted almonds.

Ashlee to play Roxie in Broadway Chicago

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:21:46 GMT

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is to star in the Broadway production of Chicago.

The 25-year-old star played murderess Roxie Hart in the London West End version of the musical and is now reprising the part in New York’s famous theatre district.

Ashlee starts her run on November 30 and admits she can’t wait to tread the boards once again.

She said, "I’m honoured to be reprising my role as Roxie Hart, returning to the stage and joining this amazing cast. Being on Broadway is a childhood dream come true."

Big sister Jessica, 29, is thrilled Ashlee has landed the part after her disappointment of being axed from US TV series Melrose Place last month.

Jessica wrote on her Twitter page, "I can’t wait to watch Ash’ on Broadway in all of her glory. I get chillbumps."

— Bang Showbiz

***

Hoffman unlikely to feature in Little Fockers

Hollywood veteran Dustin Hoffman may not feature in Little Fockers, the third instalment of the Meet the Parents franchise.

Hoffman and Barbra Streisand played Bernie and Roz Focker in Meet the Fockers, a sequel to Meet the Parents. According to ew.com, there has been strife between Hoffman and the studio over the length of the part, the scheduling of the days on set and other difficulties. Hoffman had tentatively agreed to appear in what was to be a very funny cameo at the end of the movie.

That seems to have now fallen apart due to either salary issues or scheduling problems, or both. The studio, Universal, refused to comment. (IANS)

Lilo to essay character based on her real life

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:21:43 GMT

Troubled actress-singer Lindsay Lohan is in talks to play a character loosely based on herself in a romantic comedy.

Producers John Edmonds Kozma and Richard O’Sullivan are working on a new romcom called One Night With You and they hope to land Lohan as the lead, reports imdb.com.

Reports suggest the character is a former child star who gets wrapped up in all sorts of scandal, goes to rehab and revamps her career by appearing on a reality dating show.

Lindsay, who has an on-off lesbian relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson, reportedly has a crush on Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio as well, it was reported recently. (IANS)

***

At 49, Hugh warms up to idea of being a dad

British actor Hugh Grant says he didn’t want to have kids a decade ago, but now, at age 49, he hopes to be a father. "I have so many nephews and nieces and cousins and godchildren, I like the thought (of kids), but that’s on the basis that I can leave after 10 minutes. I don’t know what it would be like 24 hours a day. I think I’d have a lot of nannies," imdb.com quoted Grant as saying. "But I haven’t given up hope. I find I’m not as bad with children as I used to be," he added. (IANS)

Leona calls herself a next-door diva

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:21:06 GMT

The British singer Leona Lewis, who has a reputation for being one of the nicest people in pop, says she only has the good characteristics of a diva, which includes having a big voice.

She said, "The term ‘diva’ has such a negative connotation, but I see myself as a kind of good diva. I’m a next-door diva." To further prove her "good diva" credentials, Leona insists she doesn’t make extravagant demands or make expensive purchases like many of her pop star contemporaries.

Happy singer Leona, who spent several months recording her new album Echo in Los Angeles, added in an interview with Petra magazine, "The biggest things I’ve bought are a house and my two cars. One of the cars is a Mini Cooper. But in Los Angeles I always drive a Hybrid Toyota Prius which is very environmentally friendly."

One star famed for her diva-like demands is Mariah Carey who recently revealed her pet dogs Cha Cha and JJ had their own entourage when she shot a recent commercial.

She previously said, "I had my team with me but the pups had a mini entourage of their own, of course. And why wouldn’t they? It was a big shoot and even my entourage had an entourage, my stylist had an assistant, my security had extra security.

"The shoot was based on the fact that some people think I’m a demanding diva. I have no idea why people have that impression."

—Bang Showbiz

Family bonding

Asian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:21:04 GMT

It was an evening dedicated exclusively to the family. "The Sunday Sundowners" organised by Smoke House Deli at DLF Promenade Mall at Vasant Kunj, saw Delhi’s swish set enjoying themselves and grooving to the tempo of percussionist Djenk from Turkey.

Fashion designer Ritu Beri with husband Bobby Chadha and two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Gia were thrilled with the new concept. She said, "I love it here, we came around 5 pm, this is a lovely concept for families, who can spend an entire day in the sun, listening to some great music, enjoying barbeque food and great company. Unfortunately, it is a bit chilly, so I am rushing off home, it’s nearly time for Gia to go to bed."

Designer Nikhil Mehra was having a blast with his twins Nimya and Vivhan as well as wife Vidushi. Father and son were seen dancing together, while Nimya stayed with mom Vidushi.

Vijay Arora came with his seven-year-old daughter Amaaya. He said, "The time 12-4 pm would be better as kids start feeling cold in the evening."

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Arty treat

Art For Prabhat organised, "Untitled", an exhibition of paintings, installations and enamelling, by the Khoj Artists Group (Jaipur) at DLF Place, Saket recently. Many eminent faces from the field of art attended the do.

Exhibited by renowned Bharatnatyam dancer and director of the Delhi International Art Festival, Pratibha Prahlad, the exhibition lured viewers as they admired the beautiful artworks by talented Khoj artistes.

Glitterati brigade

Asian — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:12:53 GMT

The capital’s glitterati and sports lovers gathered at the Jaipur Polo Ground to witness the finals of Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia Gold Cup and the exhilarating finale that followed recently. The defending champions, Elevation, lifted their third title in a row by defeating the Himalayan Horse team.

Among the polo enthusiasts and patrons present at the grounds were Usha Raje Rana, Yashodhara Raje, Vikramaditya Singh, Chitrangada, Devyani and Aishwarya Singh, Naveen and Shalu Jindal, Anusuya and Marut Sikka, Sikandar Talwar, Begum Nagadh, Rajiv Shah, Jeet and Nand Khemka, Shivani Wazir Pasrich, Sikki Talwar and Thenny, among others.