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You need to be shameless as actor, says Aparshakti Khurrana

Aparshakti Khurrana

Aparshakti Khurrana, who turns 31 today, says, he has no qualms in approaching filmmakers for work as an actor needs to be “shameless and open”.

The actor says taking the first leap of faith is very important.

“When I get to know somebody is making a film, I try to catch hold of their numbers and I approach them, I introduce myself as ‘Hi, I am Aparshakti’ and I mention I have done films like ‘Dangal’ and ‘Stree’.

“There is no shame in doing this. You need to be shameless and have a little open attitude. Not always right people will approach you need to approach right people and take the first step,” Aparshakti told agencies in an interview.

However, Aparshakti says, things did not change overnight after the success of “Dangal”.

“People would not recognise me as I looked different in real life than my character. The recuperation of the successful character happened very slow. It all happened step-by-step.”

Post “Stree”, offers have multiplied, the actor says.

His aim is to scout for good characters that can shine irrespective of the screen-time.

Though it is difficult to refuse an offer, Aparshakti believes honesty in decision making comes handy.

He adds, “People understand and don’t take offence. More than being calculative, one has to be honest. People respect that today. Today honesty is given lot more value.”

Like brother Ayushmann, he entered the film industry a bit late and before becoming an actor had a successful stint as an anchor and RJ.

A multifaceted individual, Aparshakti has captained U-19 Haryana cricket team and also practised law.

“It was a longer journey but I was ok with it as I wanted people to respect my craft. The journey from now on is going to be longer and I am prepared for that.”

Cricket taught him to be a team player, which he says, reflects in his job as an actor.

Aparshakti says, “One should not try to overshadow other actor or overdo things in front of the camera.

“In films it is not about one face that will sell your film but about other actors also. It is teamwork that makes a film good.”

He feels blessed to have Ayushmann by his side and says his brother has never got carried away with his success.

Aparshakti says Ayushmann never called up any filmmaker seeking roles for him and rather told him to work towards it himself.

“It was wise of him to tell me that I should have some kind of creative learning before entering here. He told me to be in Delhi and prepare myself. I joined a radio station and then things fell in place,” he adds.

The actor will next be seen in “Luka Chuppi” and “Jabariya Jodi”.

In “Luka Chuppi”, Aparshakti plays a man who offers solutions to Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon’s characters. In “Jabariya Jodi”, he will be romantically paired, a first for the actor, with Parineeti Chopra.

AbRam is convinced I am his grandfather, says Amitabh Bachchan

AbRam AV

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s little one AbRam is “convinced” that megastar Amitabh Bachchan is his grandfather.

The 76-year-old actor, who played Shah Rukh’s father in 2001 blockbuster “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…”, took to Instagram to share a cute picture with AbRam on Sunday.

“And this be little Abram, Shah Rukh’s little one… who thinks, believes and is convinced beyond any doubt, that I am his father’s father…

“And wonders why Shahrukh’s father does not stay with him!” Bachchan captioned the picture taken during his granddaughter Aaradhya’s birthday celebration.

The actors have also worked together in “Mohabbatein”, “Veer-Zaara”, “Paheli” and “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” among others.

It’s a terrible shame: Jude Law on his Woody Allen film getting shelved

Jude Law AV

Jude Law, who is part of the ensemble cast of Woody Allen’s now shelved “A Rainy Day in New York”, says it is a “terrible shame” that a film which is a product of hard work of so many people is not getting a release.

The film, which also stars Timothee Chalamet, Elle Fanning, Diego Luna and Liev Schreiber, has been shelved in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

“It’s a terrible shame. I’d love to see it. People worked really hard and put a lot in, obviously himself included,” Law told agencies.

In late 2017, Allen faced resurfaced allegations of child molestation by his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow, who publicly claimed in a New York Times open letter in 2014 that Allen molested her as a child.

The filmmaker has long denied the allegations, which were first reported during his 1992 split from Farrow. The director was not charged, though a Connecticut prosecutor said there was probable cause for a criminal case.

Many actors, who had worked with the 82-year-old director, donated their salaries or said they would never work with him again.

Law did not and explained his decision, saying, “I didn’t really want to get involved, to be honest.”

“I just don’t feel like it was my place to comment, and it’s too delicate a situation. I feel like enough has been said about it. It’s a private affair. (As for working with Allen again) I don’t know. I’d have to consider carefully,” he added.

Jenna Dewan, beau spotted walking hand-in-hand at Beverly Hills

Jenna Dewan

Looks like Jenna Dewan is deeply in love with beau Steve Kazee and is not shying away from displaying her love for him.

The couple was recently spotted holding hands and taking a stroll at Beverly Hills. They were even seen sharing an intimate moment before stopping at a local juice bar.

Dressed in their casual best, the ‘Step Up’ star was seen wearing a grey top and white jeans with a dark blue jacket, complemented with a red sling back and sunglasses, while her Tony Award-winning boyfriend stepped out in a grey casual shirt and blue jeans with a black jacket on top, according to a leading online portal.

Jenna and Steve made their first public appearance as a couple at a Halloween Party last month after she filed for a divorce from actor Channing Tatum on grounds of irreconcilable differences.

Reports suggest that after parting ways with Jenna, Tatum is now seeing singer Jessie J.

Kristin Davis says she ‘wouldn’t be alive’ without ‘Sex and the City’ role

Kristin Davis AV

Actor Kristin Davis believes she would not have been alive if she did not have the opportunity to star in “Sex and the City”.

The actor, who played Charlotte York for six seasons on the iconic HBO series, said her early success helped her to overcome alcohol addiction.

“I don’t think I would be alive. I’m an addict. I’m a recovering alcoholic. If I hadn’t found acting. Acting is the only thing that made me want to ever get sober. I didn’t have anything that was that important to me other than trying to dull my senses,” Davis said in an interview with the podcast Origins With James Andrew Miller.

The 53-year-old actor said she once feared she would not live to see 30, but being part of a big production helped her follow the path of sobriety.

“I didn’t think I would live to be 30. I started drinking very young and luckily I quit very young, before any success happened, thank goodness. Because my love for acting was so big when I was very young, I had something that was more important to me than just drinking,” she said.

“Sex and the City”, which ran from 1998 to 2004, also featured Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall and Cynthia Nixon.

Hailey Baldwin confirms marriage to Justin Bieber, changes her last name on Instagram

Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber AV

Model Hailey Baldwin on Saturday confirmed her marriage to pop star Justin Bieber by changing her name on Instagram.

The model, 21, changed her Instagram handle to “Hailey Bieber” even including her married last name in her bio. “Hailey Rhode Bieber”, she wrote.

On Friday, Bieber confirmed that they are a married couple. The singer broke the happy news to fans by sharing an adorable picture of the couple on Instagram, in which he addressed Hailey as his “wife”.

 

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My wife is awesome

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The couple wed in a secret ceremony in September, just two months after the singer, 24, proposed with a custom oval engagement ring on July 7 while in the Bahamas.

Letters to the Editor: Nov 18, 2018

1) Irreparable Loss

Ananth Kumar was a great leader who had won the hearts of millions as evidenced by his consecutive wins in the Bangalore South constituency. His decisions, particularly with the price reduction of stents for heart patients, Neem Coated Urea to prevent pilferage and hoarding and the introduction of generic medicines have affected, directly and indirectly, every last one of us.  He was engaged in the noble act of feeding millions of school children daily by causing for the provision of hot and nutritious ‘midday’ meals to them, through the organisation ‘Adamya Chetana’ founded by his mother Shrimati Girija Shastriji. As human beings, we are here for a limited period and a man truly ‘lives forever’ in the form of the legacy he both lives and leaves behind him. Let us pray for Ananth Kumar and swear to dedicate ourselves in fulfilling our responsibilities and duties in life so that we can produce something productive and make many people happy.

– C.K. Subramaniam

 

2) Totally cashless

Even though the step by Election Commission to reduce cash-transaction limits both for receipts and payments by political parties and candidates to Rs 10,000 from Rs 20,000, yet ideal and most-needed ultimate step to make the process completely cashless. All government-payments after demonetisation of old currency on November 8, 2016, have rightly become totally cashless. There is no reason why contributions made to and received by political parties and candidates and also expenses made by them may not be made totally cashless. It is noteworthy that the central government is regularly promoting even petty payments through various apps on mobile phones. For petty payments, political parties and candidates can purchase travellers or gift cheques from banks, and fill the name of payees. The system will make more bank-accounts to be opened by those receiving such petty payments from political parties and candidates.

The Election Commission should also ask the central government to make electoral-bonds transparent by making names of political parties and contributors public on these bonds, to prevent chances of presently opaque electoral bonds being missed as a sort of bribe to ruling political parties. Recommendations of Election Commission made public may compel central government to bring transparency in contributions made to political parties.

– Madhu Agrawal

 

3) Catholic weddings and customs

Until recent years, the idea of a Catholic marrying outside the faith was practically unheard of. Such weddings took place in private ceremonies in the parish rectory, not in a church sanctuary in front of hundreds of friends and family. These days, many people marry across religious lines. The rate of ecumenical marriages (a Catholic marrying a baptized non-Catholic) and interfaith marriages (a Catholic marrying a non-baptized non-Christian) varies by region.

If the non-Catholic is a baptized Christian (not necessarily Catholic), the marriage is valid as long as the Catholic party obtains official permission from the diocese to enter into the marriage and follows all the stipulations for a Catholic wedding.

A marriage between a Catholic and another Christian is also considered a sacrament. In fact, the church regards all marriages between baptized Christians as sacramental, as long as there are no impediments.

Good-quality marriage preparation is essential in helping couples work through the questions and challenges that will arise after they tie the knot.

Because Catholics regard marriage as a sacred event, the church prefers that ecumenical interfaith couples marry in a Catholic church, preferably the Catholic party’s parish church. If they wish to marry elsewhere, they must get permission from the local bishop. He can permit them to marry in the non-Catholic spouse’s place of worship or another suitable place with a minister, rabbi or civil magistrate – if they have a good reason.

– Jubel D’Cruz

 

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day AV

“World Diabetes Day” is celebrated on November 14 every year, in order to raise awareness of a condition that millions of people all around the world live with every day. Diabetes has now become a major public health concern, especially in India because of several reasons. Today, over 300 million people live with diabetes. A similar number is at high risk. Diabetes is a major health issue in our country. One of the important barriers in handling this issue is the change in the behaviour of the people and awareness on the importance of lifestyle modification. Diabetes makes people prone to heart disease, kidney failure and infectious diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS, among others, leading to premature death. Sugar is the new tobacco, experts, medical studies and health organisations have declared. The belief is that diabetes is an urban and rich man’s disease but we now know that the annual increase in the numbers of those with diabetes is much higher in the rural areas, poor individuals and those less educated. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation.

Diabetes isn’t deadly, it just needs regular monitoring and medication and disciplined living. Regular exercise and healthy eating are the only ways to control blood sugar levels and stay fit. Diabetes is not a disease but a metabolic disorder. Acceptance of the problem is the first step to dealing with it. We need to take to heart the statement that “strengthening primary care is imperative”. This is true about not only diabetes, but for all widely prevalent and enduring ailments. Many patients think that mere changes in food habits and taking alternative therapy can control diabetes but that’s impossible. Lifestyle correction is a must, but one cannot stop insulin intake. Not taking insulin leads to the formation of ulcers, infections and high sugar levels. Excessive urine, thirst and hunger, unexplained weight loss and fatigue are some of the common symptoms. All of these occur due to insulin deficiency.

According to the Diabetes Foundation of India, about 50.9 million people in India suffer from diabetes, and this figure is likely to go up to 80 million by 2025, making it the ‘Diabetes Capital’ of the world.

Unhealthy diet is one major cause of the disorder. People focus on reducing the quantity of food but are unaware of the caloric value of the food items they consume. The medical fraternity needs to gear up to the challenge of preventing, diagnosing and treating diabetes in society and people. Several institutes have initiated in-service programmes to enhance the knowledge, skills and core competencies of primary care physicians to deliver standardised care.

We need to work collaboratively with governments, civil society, private sectors, schools, workplaces, media and other local partners. We all have a role to play to ensure a healthier environment for a healthy living. Walking is perhaps the simplest and the most effective way to maintain one’s health, and for diabetics to manage the chronic disease as it doesn’t require any training or special equipment, which means it can be done without a break. Living with diabetes may not be easy but it isn’t impossible either. A new lifestyle and dietary changes is all it takes to keep the disease in control.

 

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi welcome baby girl!

Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi AV

Actors Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi welcomed their first child- a baby girl, on Sunday in Mumbai.

Neha gave birth to the newest member of the family, at Women’s Hospital located in Mumbai’s Khar area.

Until recently, the ‘Lust Stories’ star was busy shooting for season three of her talk show, ‘No Filter Neha’.

On August 24, Angad Bedi had shared a picture of the couple announcing Neha’s pregnancy. In an Instagram post he wrote, “Ha! Turns out this rumor is true.. #3ofus ?? #satnamwaheguru”.

On September 30, Angad Bedi of ‘Pink’ fame hosted a baby shower for his wife, which was attended by the who’s who of B-town. The couple’s friend Sophie Chaudhary shared a picture from the party on social media. To mark the occasion, the duo had cut a white cake.

The much-in-love couple had tied the knot in a private ceremony in New Delhi on May 10.

3 dead, 10 injured in a blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar

Blast in Amritsar AV

At least three people were killed and 10 others got injured in a blast at the Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar’s Rajasansi village on Sunday, police said.

The blast occurred at a congregation of the Nirankari, a spiritual organisation, said Inspector General (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar.

Further details pertaining to the incident are awaited.