Mumbai Age

From banker to full-time writer

Asian — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:56:55 GMT

Jane Borges

The Asian Age

Over a year ago, when Chetan Bhagat shifted base to Mumbai from Hong Kong, he was a hardcore investment banker with over 11 years of professional experience and the tag of a best-selling author who wrote "just for fun."

Today, it’s a different story. Incidentally, the writing bug stung him so hard that the IIT and IIM alumnus not only gave up his banking job, but also came out with his fourth book in less than 15 months since his third bestseller hit the stands.

Today he is one of India’s most sought-after authors, whose simplistic yet youthful genre of writing has created waves in Indian literary circles.

"I shifted to Mumbai with the intention of working with a bank, but the response to my third book The Three Mistakes of My Life was phenomenal, and people’s expectations just soared all of a sudden," says Chetan, adding, "Before I could even realise it, I was handling two jobs. I would work at the bank during the weekdays and spend time writing on the weekends. But in the process I was neglecting my family, especially my two sons, and all this was making me really unhappy."

This is when Chetan decided to temporarily move out of banking and become a full-time writer. The product being 2 States: The Story of my Marriage, Chetan’s fourth book that will hit the stands on October 8.

The book is the story of a couple that has to fight the battle of the families before translating its love story into a love marriage. Ask Chetan about his inspiration and he says, "Indian marriages."

"Interestingly, in India when a couple fall in love, the families are equally involved. In fact the families from both sides need to have a love affair before they approve the marriage," he says.

The issue of inter-community marriages is at the core of Chetan’s fourth book. "Some of the characters have been inspired from real life, more because I am a Punjabi and my wife is a Tamilian. The story is fiction," he says.

However, novels are not the only thing keeping the author busy on his writing desk. Chetan is also dabbling with scriptwriting and newspaper columns. Two of his script projects include Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots on the lines of Five Point Someone and Farhan Akthar’s untitled film based on Three Mistakes of My Life. "Writing scripts is challenging, but I am learning and growing with time," the author says.

On his critics calling his writing "fluff", Chetan says, "I get disappointed with the way the critics treat my book. I won’t deny that I could have some shortcomings, but my genre is very different. I respect feedback, but my books need to be measured with a different yardstick."

From banking to writing, Chetan is surely all geared up.

Egyptian diplomat colours Bollywood

Asian — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:56:07 GMT

Shruti Badyal

The Asian Age

Even after donning the hat of a diplomat, artist Sami Salem, finds time to follow his passion - painting. The artist, who came to India in 2006, was so fascinated by the faces of Bollywood, that he started painting their portraits. He recently presented a preview of his work with artist Shuchi Khanna in an exhibition titled "Artouch" at the Lalit Kala Akademi in Delhi.

"My job takes me to many countries, and I try to find something worth painting in each place," says Salem.

While his work brought him to India, the artist fell in love with India's cultural heritage, colourful lifestyles, saris and Bollywood, of course. "I wonder how every actor in this industry knows how to dance with perfection. It's amazing how even an Amitabh Bachchan at his age dances so well," says the artist.

So, has he painted Shah Rukh Khan? "No. He is still in the pipeline," says Salem and adds, "Since Mumbai is the hub for Bollywood, I am planning an exhibit of the paintings of Indian actors like SRK, Shilpa Shetty and others in March next year."

For an artist, who has only painted works inspired by pictures of these personalities, he wants to paint a portrait of Amitabh Bachchan. "I am so fascinated by the details and curves on his face that I have painted him thrice, and I am going to paint him once again very soon. His strong eyes talk directly, without him saying a word," says Salem.

Speaking about Indian clothes, the artist says, "I feel Indian women look graceful and beautiful in a sari. India is a colourful country with a rich cultural heritage. It's a paradise for an artist like me."

Slaem is looking forward to meet some Bollywood actor at the Cairo International Film Festival, to be held on November with a focus on Hindi cinema. "We are inviting many Bollywood actors and films from India would be the highlight. I have Anil Kapoor's confirmation with me so far," he concludes.

The exhibition will be on till October 8 at Lalit Kala Akademi

‘No one wants to be led by a rich dropout’

Asian — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:44:25 GMT

Age Correspondent

Details of candidates for the upcoming state Assembly elections came to light very recently, and Mumbaikars are not taking the stats lightly. While confirming its status as the country’s financial capital by giving tickets to 122 crorepatis, citizens are wary of the implication that political power is akin to monetary might.

But most disconcerting to those we spoke to is the revalation that Mumbai "boasts" the largest number of candidates with educational qualifications below Class 10. Of the total 705 candidates in the fray from the city, only 99 are graduates with some sort of recognised university degree, while 127 have cleared Class 10, or secondary school examination. The rest are at various levels below Class 10, revealed the NGO Maharashtra Election Watch (MEW).

"That was expected, but it is a worrying sign that the numbers have gone up, and that Mumbai has the dubious distinction of having the largest number of cadidates with no secondary education," says retired politics professor Sriram Godbole.

He says that the growing link between crime establishments and political power is a worrying sign for the city.

"No one wants to be led by a rich dropout," says college student Vipasana Prabhakar. "I made it a point to vote during the last elections — the first time I was eligible. But I think this is one of the reasons our generation gets put off by politics. It’s no excuse for not voting, but it’s disappointing when you’re voting on the basis of who is the ‘least bad’ of an uneducated, and possibly criminal bunch’."

As an example of alleged criminals contesting elections, one Independent candidate — Bhavesh Bhinde, contesting from Mulund — has 23 criminal cases registered against him.

Nose jobs head cosmetic surgery demand list

Asian — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:43:59 GMT

Priyanka Bhadani

The Asian Age

Getting the shape of your nose changed aesthetically is the "in" thing. According to recent reports, the number of people undergoing aesthetic surgery, especially nose jobs, in order to look better has risen by leaps and bounds.

In the last week of November, India would be hosting the 15th World Congress of International Confederation of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS). The event provides an opportunity to promote plastic surgery both scientifically and clinically, to further educate and encourage friendship between physicians in different countries. India has got a chance to host the conference for the second time after 22 years.

Dr Rajeev B. Ahuja, a plastic, maxillofacial and microvascular surgeon, also the chairman of the organising committee, says that it’s a matter of pride that the conference would be held in India. And talking about the rising number of people going for nose correction, he reveals, "People these days have a lot of money, so they don’t mind spending some on enhancing their looks."

Consultant cosmetic surgeon Dr Rashmi Taneja says that many undergo aesthetic surgery just to gain confidence. "Because of a slight fault in their looks, especially the nose, as it is a prominent feature on the face, they tend to feel uncomfortable. But with advancement in cosmetic surgery it has given them an opportunity to look different," she says.

However, Dr Ahuja points out that many opt for the surgery because they want to engineer a change. "Many people don’t really know what the treatment really entails. They think that plastic surgery can change their look completely. But the fact is that we can’t change the shape of the bones, we can only enhance the features a bit," he says.

Shilpa dissuaded sis from Bigg Boss

Asian — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:42:53 GMT

Age Correspondent

Actress Shilpa Shetty may have gained international fame by winning UK television show Big Brother, but the actress says she tried to "dissuade" her younger sister, Shamita Shetty, from participating in Bigg Boss 3, the third installment of the Indian version.

"Ok! It’s out, my sister Shamita is in the Big Boss house. Took the next flight to Bombay from London when she told me she was going in, I scurried to spend the last two days before she left, tried to dissuade her; considering she’ll be away for 3 months if she lasts!" Shilpa wrote on her blog.

The 33-year-old actress was allegedly racially abused by Jade Goody and other housemates during her controversial stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007 which made her a household name in the UK and also helped her to win the show.

Kats grateful to Anil for advice

Asian — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:39:06 GMT

Age Correspondent

Katrina Kaif has expressed her gratitude for Anil Kapoor’s advice when shooting the 2005 hit Humko Deewana Kar Gaye.

Kats claimed that working with well-known actors like Anil had helped improve her on-screen performance.

"The more films you do, the more experienced you get and then you get to know what you want to do as an actor — what different and special thing in a role or a script you are looking for," she said.

"During the shooting of Humko Deewana Kar Gaye Anil taught me that focus is the most important thing in an actor’s career. I will never forget that," she added.

Katrina will next be seen in Rajkumar Santoshi’s Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, which also stars Ranbir Kapoor and Upen Patel.The film is scheduled for release on November 6.

Friendship points for Sallu in Bollywood

Asian — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:38:29 GMT

Age Correspondent

Salman Khan has been talked about so much more for his friendship recently than anything else. Kareena and Karisma Kapoor, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherji or Shilpa Shetty, everyone seems to be gushing about how Salman is such a great and loyal friend.

And now the actor has been helping out a whole bunch of other people from the industry. Salman recently did a favour for Suneil Shetty by promoting his film Toss on a special episode of his show 10 Ka Dum. Salman had already finished shooting for all his episodes but he went ahead and did Suneil and Ashmit Patel the favour.

Our source said, "Ashmit met Salman at his Bandra home recently. He wanted to know if his film could be promoted on Dus Ka Dum. He told Salman that the film needed to be promoted in a big way. Salman willingly agreed."

"Salman went out of his way and saw to it that another episode of 10 Ka Dum was shot. He not only convinced the television channel but also readjusted his dates to shoot the special show with Suneil Shetty, Ashmit Patel and Rajpal Yadav," adds our source.

Suneil decided to return the favour. With Salman Khan busy shooting for his forthcoming venture Veer in Khandala along with Mithun Chakraborty, Suneil opened the doors of his bungalow at Khandala for Salman and Mithun to stay since the site of their shoot was close to his bungalow.

New change for brides

Asian — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:36:41 GMT

Designer Neeta Lulla’s select preview of her Indo-Western bridal wear collection at Fuel — The Fashion Store, saw several of her friends show up at the event.

Seen going through the bridal wear were Eesha Koppikar, Neeta’s daughter Nishka Lulla, Pooja Bedi, Madhoo Shah, Esther Daswani and Savita Paramvir Singh.

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Blindfolded for a cause

Designer Rajesh Aiya’s fashion show saw the late Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine Jackson walk the ramp on Monday.

"He is inaccessible to all people, but it was very heart warming that he came." said Aiya. Models walked the ramp blindfolded at the show paying tribute to 26/11 victims.

Injuries, time issues won’t blight squash tournament

Asian — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:35:05 GMT

Sharda Wadhwa

The Asian Age

Injuries to a number of top players and a tight schedule are set to put a bit of the dampener on the upcoming Maharashtra State Open Squash championship at Bombay Gymkhana. Star attractions Saurav Ghoshal, Ritwick Battacharya, Joshna Chinaapa and Dipika Pallikkal are participating but will be rush-rush for them as right before the commencement of this tournament, they will be at the Hong Kong Open.

"We have been trying to get dates for this tournament earlier but could not manage due to swine flu and various other domestic tournaments. It's going to be tough for players but at the end we have managed to get the top four Indian players to participate in the tournament," said Raj Arrora of the Bombay Gymkhana.

This tournament could be a training ground for Maharashtra players who will be participating in the Junior Nationals in Indore from October 21. The junior players from other states have given it a miss as they are preparing for the nationals.

Siddharth Suchde has also pulled out because of a knee niggle that he picked up during the World Squash tournament last week. "I would have been participating but because of the knee injury, I am avoiding the tournament. It's not bad but I don't want to aggravate it further so will take rest for two weeks.I am looking forward for Professional Squash tournaments ," said Sachde

However, the excitement among the juinor ranks is evident - tournament organisers have received more than 60 entries in the junior categories.

Other names that make up the strong field are Gaurav Nandrajog from New Delhi, former Indian national champion Manish Chotrani, former Trinity College captain Sahil Vora and Sandip Jangra. Saumya Karki should add something extra to the event as will Shria Khatri.

The winner's purse is going to be Rs.1,40,000 - the largest in the tournament's history. The womens champion will be richer by Rs.50,000.