I never take my style too seriously: Katy Perry

By

-

July 28, 2015

Pop star Katy Perry says she has “so much fun” with her style.

The “Roar” hitmaker said she has very few fashion regrets because she never takes her style “too seriously” and just likes to be playful with her outfits, reported Contactmusic.

Asked if she cringes at any of her past looks, she said, “I mean, things that are too tight where I look like I’m spilling out of them unnaturally aren’t the greatest. But I just love playing, and I have so much fun, and I don’t take myself too seriously in any regard.

And I think people see that and you know what? I’m just laughing all the way.” The 30-year-old star continued to say she doesn’t take any notice of people who criticise her clothes.

“I mean, I don’t always end up on the best-dressed list, but I sure as hell look like I’m having fun – and I am. I guess I just like unique offerings. I like when people present themselves with something unique. And it doesn’t have to be labels, it could just be a sense of personal style.”

End of an era: Missile man A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 28, 2015

India’s great and noblest personality, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has gone behind the screen of the universe leaving a unique message to entire world as to how one should be living a life for the sake of fellow citizens and modest model to the entire world. He made India proud in Aero Space world competing with the so called super powers in the world. Our country should be proud of such a great personality. Instead of declaring holidays to academic institutions, the Central Government should have instructed all the educational institutions to keep the institutions open and asked the faculty and students to involve in debates / discussions / presentations about Dr. Kalam and his achievements. That would’ve been a real tribute to a person who always loves education.

The way the birthday (September 05) of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishna is celebrated as Teachers Day, the government should declare the birthday (October 15) of Dr. Abdul Kalam as ‘Technology Day’ and celebrate it with science fairs, technological discussions and debates and at the same time should not spend money lavishly on unnecessary things like tea, lunch, etc.

Dr Abdul Kalam has left a ‘Livable Planet’ behind him with exemplary devotion to science. Our country didn’t have a scientist of such high eminence as Dr Abdul Kalam as its President. Probably, it won’t have in future too. He died delivering science lectures to students of IIM, Shillong in Meghalaya. Life on earth is ephemeral. All those that are born must die one day. But Dr Abdul Kalam’s life and death teaches us unlike anyone else to cultivate scientific temper of mind and shun superstition. His science has no dogma; his religion has no superstition. He is truly a citizen of the world.

Our country needs one more Abdul Kalam in every sphere who is a true human being, simple in his lifestyle. In his own way he started a revolution, giving idea that revolution can be started without mass movements. A Messiah of God indeed!

In the words of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi: “Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam enjoyed being with people; people and youngsters adored him. He loved students and spent his final moments among them.” The death of Dr. Kalam is an irreparable loss to this nation. He has left a big void hard to fill.”

Jubel D’Cruz

Real life exes Ranbir-Deepika sizzle for reel in Tamasha

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 28, 2015

The first look of Imtiaz Ali’s next, Tamasha is out, and it looks stunning. If that’s not reason enough to pique your interest, here’s more: The film brings ex-flames, Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor together, two years after the two shared screen space last in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

Directed by Imtiaz Ali and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the picture going viral on the internet has Deepika and Ranbir on a beach: It was shot while they were shooting in Corsica, France.

Tamasha also marks Ranbir’s return of sorts to to Imtiaz’s fold, four years after the duo gave us a hit like Rockstar. With this film, Imtiaz is also back with his favourite lyricist-writer Irshad Kamil.

Talking about working with Irshad and Imtiaz, Ranbir had earlier told Hindustan Times, “Irshad conveys the most complex emotions in such a simple manner that it becomes easy to understand. He is miles ahead when it comes to describing romance. And Imtiaz explains those lines to me so beautifully that I am able to enact them in my films. I have a lot to learn from them. We always debate over what is more important — music or words. I think without words there is no soul. I’m working with Imtiaz in Tamasha because it has a lot to do with storytelling and poetry. I hope to understand it more after this film.”

Portions of the film have been shot in Corsica, France, Vasant Kunj, Hauz Khas Village and Cyber Hub (Gurgaon) in Delhi. “This is the second film that Imtiaz and I are shooting in Delhi together, and it’s very different from the first one that we did. It was more heartland Delhi where we shot Rockstar, and I think for this one, the world of Delhi that Imtiaz is trying to create is the Gurgaon world. So it’s a different world for us. So, it’s not that we’re shooting on the same locations,” the 32-year-old Kapoor scion further saud.

I am finally getting commercial roles: Richa Chadha

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 28, 2015

She has made a career out of portraying complex characters but actress Richa Chadha is happy that finally she is being offered commercial roles.

Fresh from the success of “Masaan”, the actress is now busy with Pooja Bhatt’s “Cabaret”.

“It is a great part and I am really happy that I finally got a commercial role in the industry. Earlier, they would shy away from offering me mainstream characters,” said Richa.

The actress, who started her career with Dibakar Banerjee’s “Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!”, has already touched many hearts with her poignant portrayal of an ambitious small town girl in “Masaan”, who unwittingly gets caught in a web of corruption. Richa said she will continue to play roles that are different despite the stereotyping of such actors.

“I am trying to pick roles that are interesting to me and are different so that I can continue to do good work. I don’t want to be slotted into a particular part. I want to be versatile.

“Right now, my only slot is that I am a good actor or I am an off-beat actor. I can live with that. But I can’t live with the tag that I am good only for specific roles,” she said.
There were reports that “Cabaret” is based on Helen’s life but Richa denied it.

“It’s not on Helen. The rumours started after I was spotted reading a book on Helen. I was reading it generally and people presumed that I am going through it because ‘Cabaret’ is based on it.”

Richa is taking special classes to master the dance for the movie, which also stars Gulshan Devaiah.

“The shooting is on. I will begin filming my part after this month as we have only finished the first leg of the shoot. We still have two more to go and now we are going to work on songs. The movie is shaping up well,” she said.

Richa will be next seen in Sudhir Mishra’s “Aur Devdas”, where she will essay the role of Parvati, a role that has been portrayed by actresses like Suchitra Sen and Aishwarya Rai.

“It’s a different Paru (Parvati) in Sudhir sir’s film. She is more empowered this time,” she said about the movie, which is a political take on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s famous novel.

Dear Shah Rukh-Salman fans, get ready for the big surprise!

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 28, 2015

If you are a true Bollywood buff, you will surely be more than jumping in joy with this latest addition to Shah Rukh-Salman bonding.

The duo has left their fans happy and surprised with their new bonding, hugs, Twitter biryani and well wishes for each other’s movie.

And now we hear that, the two big Khans are ready to light up the screen together once again.

SRK and Salman will work for YRF, which will be directed by Aditya Chopra himself.

If this happens, then Bollywood will have nothing bigger to celebrate.

Well, everybody loves these two Khans and so let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Ravi Pujari threatens Lalit Modi’s lawyer?

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

Mehmood Abdi has sought police protection saying that the gangster had threatened to harm him and his family.

Lalit Modi’s lawyer Mehmood Abdi has filed a complaint with the Oshiwara Police station for receiving a threatening call from a person who identified himself as Ravi Pujari. The caller asked Abdi why he was representing Lalit Modi. He also asked Abdi to refrain from attending Modi’s matters or else he will have to face dire consequences. In the complaint, Abdi mentioned that he received a call on his phone at 2.17 pm on Sunday from ISD number.

In his letter, Abdi has sought police protection saying that the gangster had threatened to harm him and his family. The complaint has been reportedly transferred to the Anti-Extortion Cell.

Abdi said, “I received a telephone call on my mobile from 38583032170. The caller identified himself as Ravi Pujari speaking from Australia. He questioned as to why I am defending Lalit Modi. I told him that I am doing my duty as his legal counsel.”

“However, the caller went on saying that he has bumped off a lawyer in Bangalore. He threatened me to desist from attending Lalit Modi’s matters else he will harm me and my family. The caller informed me that his boys have already seen my address and know about my family. He wanted me to note down the telephone number which I could not do since I was driving. He told me that he will give me a number on which Lalit Modi should speak to him. He said that he will call me again” he added.

“In the circumstances, I request to look into this serious matter urgently and provide me and my family police protection,” Abdi said.
Later, the Mumbai police recorded his detailed statement in the matter. Lalit Modi tweeted from London that he keeps getting threats: “Now, threatening my lawyers too; This is the real world or cricket politics.”

A police official said Abdi’s complaint would be probed before further measures are initiated.

Pujari has worked with gangster Chhota Rajan and has been involved in several extortion cases in Mumbai. Bollywood actors including Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan have also received threats in the past.

‘Missile Man’ passes away, India loses its ‘Bharat Ratna’

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam left for his heavenly abode yesterday. Kalam was admitted to a hospital following sudden illness. Kalam (84) took ill at a function and was rushed to the hospital.

The former President collapsed during a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management at around 6.30 pm and was taken to the hospital. Meghalaya Governor V Shanmughanathan and Chief Secretary P B O Warjri visited Bethany hospital where Kalam has been admitted.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra expressed their condolences via Twitter.

Rajnath Singh

✔ @BJPRajnathSingh “Deeply saddened at the sudden demise of the former president of India Dr. APAJ Abdul Kalam. He was an inspiration to an entire generation.”

Arvind Kejriwal

✔ @ArvindKejriwal

“V sad to hear that Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is no more. Nation has lost a real bharat ratna.”

Born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Kalam studied physics and aerospace engineering. He served as the President of India from 2002 to 2007 and was awarded the nation’s top civilian awards, including Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Bharat Ratna.

Kalam spent four decades as a scientist and science administrator, at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Prime and the Secretary of the DRDO from 1992 to 199.

He also played a pivotal technical and political role in India’s Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, shortly after the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government came to power.

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in a poor Tamil Muslim family in Rameswaram. But he overcame all odds to study physics and aerospace engineering..

He also wrote 14 books on various topics including India 2020, Wings of Fire and Ignited Minds.

Kalam served as the 11th President of India, succeeding K R Narayanan. He won the 2002 presidential election with an electoral vote of 922,884, surpassing 107,366 votes won by Lakshmi Sahgal. He served from 25 July 2002 to 25 July 2007.

After serving a term of five years, he returned to his civilian life of education, writing, and public service.

Yakub Memon likely to be buried at jail premises after execution, kin may not get his body

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

As the death sentence to 1993 Mumbai blasts accused Yakub Memon has taken a communal angle, the Nagpur Central Jail authorities may take a decision to bury him in the jail premises to avoid flaring up of communal tension.

The jail authorities are preparing to bury Memon at the jail premises, instead of handing over the body to the family.

The decision has been taken to avoid any law and order crisis.

“We are not handing over the body to the family, but Yakub’s wife Rahin and daughter Zubeida will be allowed to attend the funeral in jail,” a jail source was quoted in the report, adding that the final resting place had been identified in Goal Maidan, which is a farming ground within the prison compound.

However, Memon’s lawyer will contest this decision and apply for the handover of the body to the family.

“We will take a move after the SC’s decision. But we will apply for the body’s handover,” Yakub’s lawyer Anil Gedam was quoted as saying.

The Supreme Court on Monday took up the mercy plea of Yakub and decided to continue hearing the same on Tuesday.

According to reports, the apex court also sought clarification from Attorney General on rules for curative petition as Memon had contended that the death warrant was issued against him before the apex court’s decision on his petition.

The Chief Justice of India had constituted a three-member special bench to hear his plea seeking a stay on the Supreme Court order. Memon had also filed a mercy petition before the Maharashtra Governor seeking commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, top Indian politicians, former judges and prominent jurists on Sunday petitioned President Pranab Mukherjee to stay the execution of Memon. He is scheduled to be hanged on July 30.

The blasts in March 1993 ripped through Mumbai, killing at least 257 people at separate landmarks, including the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).Police said Yakub Memon’s brother ‘Tiger’ Memon and mafia don Dawood Ibrahim were the main masterminds behind the attack.

Bhabha bungalow: plea seeks HC direction to Centre

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

The Bombay High Court has been urged to direct the union government to expeditiously take a decision on declaring as a national monument nuclear scientist Homi Bhabha’s bungalow ‘Meherangir’ at Malabar Hill in south Mumbai.

In his petition, Raam Dhuri, president of National Forum for Aided Institutions Employees (Department of Atomic Energy), has also sought a direction to the auction purchasers of the sprawling bungalow against carrying out any demolition or repair work pending a decision from the Centre in this regard.

Senior counsel Rajiv Chavan, appearing for the petitioner, today mentioned the matter before a division bench headed by Justice V M Kanade.

The petition claims that the high court, while hearing another petition on the same issue in September 2014, had directed the petitioners to approach the Centre.

“The union government has till date not taken any decision. The auction purchasers of the bungalow had in September 2014 assured the court that they do not propose to demolish the building nor do they propose to make any changes in the bungalow for a period of six months by when the union government can take a decision,” the petition stated.

It stated that in its letter in March, the state government requested the Centre to take appropriate steps to declare the bungalow as a national monument.

“There is an apprehension that the purchasers would now take steps to either demolish or make changes to the bungalow,” the petition claimed.

The court said it would hear the petition on Tuesday.

The sprawling sea-facing bungalow was auctioned for over Rs. 300 crore by NCPA (National Centre for Performing Arts), its custodian.

Fadnavis prays to Lord Vithal for drought free Maharashtra

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the wee hours performed the ‘mahapuja’ of Lord Vithal and Goddess Rukmini at Pandharpur in Solapur district on the occasion of ‘Ashadhi Ekadashi’.

‘Ashadhi Ekadashi’ marks the culmination of the nearly month long ‘wari’ (pilgrimage) to Pandharpur from different parts of Maharashtra.

Fadnavis along with his wife Amruta performed the rituals at the temple.

He said he prayed for a drought free Maharashtra.

“I pray to Lord Vithhal for prosperity and happiness of farmers & people of Maharashtra,” Fadnavis tweeted. Speaking at a function organised by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and state environment department, the Chief Minister last evening appealed to members of Warkari community to come forward for environmental preservation.

“State will develop Pandharpur as pilgrimage destination and provide funds to clean river Chandrabhaga,” he added.

The pilgrimage to Pandharpur has a history of over 700 years where over one million devotees travel on foot to worship Lord Vithal from across the state. The two main ‘Palkhis’ that go to the temple town are that of Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar from Pune district.