New Release
Yet another unusual love story

The year 2004 begins with an unusual love story scheduled to be released today. It is Padmalaya Telefilms Limited Presentation “Ishq Hai Tumse”, starring Dino Morea and Bipasha Basu. G.A. Seshagiri Rao is the producer while G.V. Narasimha Rao is the executive producer of the movie, which will be released today at Nirman, Chandigarh and Fun Republic, Mani Majra.

Dino and Bipasha’s team has become a hot favourite after the super success of “Raaz” and average “Gunah”. “Ishq Hai Tumse” is a remake of a Telugu hit and is directed by G. Krishna.

Bipasha plays the role of a Muslim girl who is in love with a Hindu boy, Dino. Alok Nath, Vikram Gokhale, Tiku Talsania, Neena Kulkarni, Beena and Himani Shivpuri are in supporting roles. Concept by Sana Yadireddy, dialogues by Raman Bhardwaj, photography by V. Sreenivas Reddy, choreography by Baba Yadav, Umesh Jadhav and art direction by Anand Sai are major credits of the film. Vande Matram Srinivas has composed the background score. Sameer and Sanjay Chhel have penned the lyrics for music director Himesh Reshammiya.

Director Krishna admits that is not a film for rural audiences but it will work better in urban and semi-urban areas.

So moviegoers watch this hot, hot pair of Bollywood. — DP

LIFESTYLE

Saying it with flowers
Monica Sharma

City residents preferred flowers to convey their New Year greetings.

Eager hands enthusiastically banging the front gates woke up city residents on the New Year morning as delivery boys arrived with bouquets and baskets of blooming flowers and best wishes.

Even before lethargic winter sun managed to push aside the thick curtain of fog after waking up from slumber, residents were made to get out of the quilts for receiving the blossoms as early as six in the morning.

Flowers were always favoured by the residents for conveying New Year greetings to near and dear ones, besides business associates, even bosses and superior colleagues. They were also hot favourites among young couples. But their popularity was all time high in 2004.

Cars full of bouquets, along with bunches of flowers, even cycles with baskets placed on the carriers, rushing through the length and breadth of the city, was a testimony to this.

“Residents have always been ordering flowers for special occasions, including marriage and reception parties, even Divali, New Year and St Valentine’s Day,” says Naresh, working with a florist in Sector 34. “But the number of orders we received this year has been exceptionally high. No doubt about it”.

Florists in the city sold at least 25 to 30 per cent more flowers than previous year. He added that there were almost one to two florists in every sector. Their concentration was more in Sectors 34, 35 and Sector 10. “They all did real good business”, he said.

Giving details, he said, “This year, a large number of residents, conveying New Year greetings through cards and telephone, also ordered flowers. They willingly pulled out anywhere between Rs 50 and Rs 500 for bouquets and baskets”.

Flowers, he added, were gaining popularity as “sophisticated gifts of love and affection”. Otherwise also, a good New Year card was not costing less than Rs 25. “By paying additional Rs 25, they were able to purchase flowers”, he claimed.

Agreeing with him, Raman, working with a florist in Sector 35, said, “This time, it was not just cheerful gladioli that the residents booked for delivery.

For a change, even red roses were pushed into background. More and more residents went in for blooming chrysanthemum in white, balmy blue and soothing yellow”.

They were expensive, compared to roses and gladioli, but were worth the smile on the receiver’s face, said businessman Naresh Thakur coming out of a shop after ordering seven bouquets.

Musical bonanza for Old Age Home inmates

As Punjabi pop star Babu Mann’s melodious voice booming out of impressive speakers filled the air at Old Age Home in Sector 15 this afternoon, the inmates came out in the open to sway with singer.

Dressed up in their best, they danced their way to glory, along with Babu Mann, as he crooned one hit after another to celebrate the New Year with them. At the end of the day, he distributed blankets and sweets. This is not the first time that Babu Mann performed at the Old Age Home. He comes there every year. He will soon be conducting a charity show for senior citizens.

Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Old Age Home warden S.M. Sehgal said, ‘’It was a musical bonanza for the inmates and they enjoyed thoroughly. He usually visits the home on New Year’s Eve, but due to busy schedule, the programme was delayed by a day”.

Babu Mann will soon be launching music album “Ohi chann, ohi rattan”.He has produced a Hindi film “Hawayein” in which he also acted. Talking about his future plans, Mann had earlier told the media that he would be conducting stage shows all over Punjab and Haryana. — OC

Fashion Fundas
Jewellery goes chic and trendy
Geetu Vaid

Tips to take care of jewellery Some make-up items, moisture, and chemicals affect the shine of gold jewellery so avoid these. Keep gold and diamond jewellery away from chlorinated water as chlorine can damage it over a period of time. Avoid wearing fine jewellery while performing manual labour tasks, such as housework. Do not let diamonds clash against other jewellery. Clean jewellery periodically. This will help ensure its fine appearance and will help it last. Platinum is very durable and does not lose its polish very easily and is relatively easy to handle. Cleaning Soak gold jewellery in warm soapy (a non-detergent soap) water. Remove dirt with a soft brush. Ammonia and water, as well as several commercial cleaners, work well for diamond jewellery. Use plain alcohol or vodka to reduce greasy film on diamond jewellery prior to any other cleaning done. Soak precious stones in a small bowl of club soda for 15 minutes. The carbonation helps lift out dirt and grime. Dry with a soft, cotton towel.

One doesn’t have to ‘electrify’ one’s brain ala Mel Gibson to know ‘What Women Want’. Offer them jewellery and 99 times out of 100 you would hit the nail on the head. But when it comes to choosing the right piece it is no child’s play. If the chunky heavy jewellery is not your cup of tea then go for the sleek and trendy designs that are available in the market. Square bangles, cylindrical or triangular pendants, earrings and rings in unconventional shapes are the current favourites among women, young and old alike.

The designs gel with the personality of the aware, independent and fashion-conscious woman. ‘‘The traditional designs are preferred by those shopping for weddings while other customers seek different designs’’, says Suresh, a local jeweller. This is the reason why even the traditional jewellery shops have started keeping some designer pieces and the concept of jewellery boutiques is catching up in the city, he adds. ‘‘Women nowadays want jewellery that is well made and practical. Something that they would want to wear all the time’’, says Sunita Reen, Area Manager of Trendsmith, where collections of as many as 20 jewellery designers are on display.

A lot of choice in white and yellow gold, platinum, diamonds and precious stones is available for those who want to look trendy without being flashy and who like the fusion of formal and casual. The range includes brooches, clasps, chokers and bracelets that are glamorous, sensual, radiant and eternal. Solange, Mimansa, Rachana, Naqsh, Yogesh Jasnani, Gili, Asmi, Arisia, Collection G, Solo are a few of the designer jewellery collections. Some of the designers even do two collections in a year like couture fashion and also offer limited edition pieces.

Collection of art nouveau designs promise to enhance casual wardrobes. The designs range from minimal to romantic, figurative to geometric luxury jewels with brilliant cut diamonds, baguettes, princess, ovals and marquises of all sizes. Be it delicate adornments or simple solitaires embedded in platinum and gold, transformable and multi-purpose jewellery is the in thing. Detachable pieces amalgamate flexibility and freshness, says Deepti of Inter Gold. There is complete return guarantee and guarantee of the gold weight and purity with these pieces, she adds. Though the exquisite pieces do cost a fortune, there is a whole range for those with a limited budget too. Solo offers solitaires at affordable prices. The range begins from Rs 7,500 and there is the invisible setting technology for those wanting to get the feel of solitaires without burning a hole in their pockets. This technique does away with the conventional gold clamps and binds two or more diamonds from below. So what you see are bigger richer and more enhanced diamonds that have the look of spectacular solitaires. Rave, a range for young students comprises delicate tiny diamonds in rings, pendants and earrings (Rs 5000). These are ideal gifts for my daughter’s 18th birthday said Ms Satwant Dhillon while picking up a pair of earrings.

For the working woman wanting to break free of the loaded look in workplace there is a complete range designed specially for the 9 to 5 routine. The delicate designer pieces in 22k gold are ideal for that sophisticated look. The combination of gold and black and white and gold rhodium polish add a touch of novelty to these pieces (Rs 595 onwards).

‘‘I wanted to wear some jewellery but not those heavy earrings and necklaces that were family heirlooms. My collection of nouveau designs is more functional and suits my corporate image’’, says Shonali a marketing executive.

For those wanting to go in for something different crystal jewellery is a good option. Swarovski crystal jewellery dates back to 1977, says Meenaxi of Ethos. The rhodium plated earrings in Swarovski crystals cost Rs 1545 and some of the smaller pieces cost Rs 895. A complete set can be had for Rs 4,000 onwards. Big chunky rings, preferred by youngsters, single crystals and pearl and crystal pieces are hot favourites in the city, she adds. Victorian jewellery made of oxidized silver studded with precious and semi-stones (costing Rs 1900 to 4500) also comes in modern designs and goes well with the Western outfits, says Sangeeta of Ebony stores .

For that stylish spiritual look choose from Ganesha pendants in 18k gold (Rs 12,000) and the Swayambhu rudraksh collection that blend the spiritual with the designer, something which can happen only in India. These exquisite pieces in gold studded with diamonds and rudraksh (Rs 15,000) promise to bring in the right vibrations and give peace and solace to the wearer.

Trendy, different and chic this jewellery is aptly brings out the bold streak in the beautiful.

It’s my life
I have positive approach

I have been brought into a world where the competition is tough and more tough for a girl. Yet I am a person of great determination and I always carry a positive approach towards life. I believe that the best way to deal with a challenge is to “Face it”. To me, backing out of a contest is even worse than losing it. Be is painting, dancing, modelling or acting, I have always made my family proud by bringing them laurels.

I chose NIFD to sharpen my talents to a professional level. I am aware of the fact that the road to achieve my goals would be tough as there are a lot of successful and well-established fashion designers. But when the going gets tough, the tough gets the going.

NIFD has provided me with the right podium to emerge as a better and refined individual in this highly competitive world.

I would like to conclude by saying that “success is not about how high you climb. It’s about how high you bounce back after falling down.”

As told to ASP