# https://zahidjavali.com > Journalist, Writer, Editor & Content Marketer ## Posts - [India shining!](https://zahidjavali.com/india-shining/): India is shining indeed. After much auctioning, the Tatas took over Corus and became the fifth largest steel maker in the world and only the second in Europe after NRI Lakshmi Mittal’s company. And then, you have Shilpa Shetty’s victory over alleged racism on a TV show that got her Rs 86 crore in endorsement and other deals. Not to mention, Sania Mirza regaining her form and entering the top 50 world ranking. After IT, these are the most notable ones hitting international headlines of late. A decade ago, India was internationally known for only beauty queens who served little purpose. […] - [A review of 'Chak De'](https://zahidjavali.com/a-review-of-chak-de/): For once, I didn’t see actors as actors but as characters. Thank you, Chak De! For once, I thought sports can go beyond cricket. And for once, I thought Chak De delivers the message that most other films try to but fail miserably. Director Shimit Amin has done his best to get the best out of each of his actors. Most importantly, he has got Shah Rukh Khan to step out of his star persona and become hockey coach Kabir Khan. It also happens to be the first time that King Khan has played a Muslim on the big screen. Not […] - [Meeting Shah Rukh Khan](https://zahidjavali.com/meeting-shah-rukh-khan/): Prior to 2004, remembering dreams had become a long-forgotten art for me. Either I was having dreamless nights or my dreams were so inconsequential that they never rose to the conscious level and nudged me into remembrance. Just when I resigned myself to more dreamless nights, the reigning Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan came along. No, not in person but we met up when I drifted into the land of nod. This time, I remembered the dream clearly because I was confronting Khan on a certain issue. “Why aren’t you protected?” I asked him. Khan snapped his fingers. Two bodyguards wearing […] - [The Love Calculator!!!](https://zahidjavali.com/the-love-calculator/): When I am unsure, when I need to decide, when I need to read someone’s mind, I consult Dr Love. Nah, it’s no shrink out to rip me off in my hour of need. It’s a Windows 95 freeware that throws up startling facts about interpersonal relationships, and it’s all in percentages. I might not take it at face value, but it does provide enough mirth to brighten my mood. When I first downloaded the software, I thought some testing was in order (the funda is to give two full names of people or places or things and it will throw […] - [Hello Word Press-ians, readers, bloggers...](https://zahidjavali.com/hello-world-2/): After my friend recommended that Word Press is the best place to blog, i have moved bag and baggage out here… yes, i am going to transfer all that i had written in my earlier blog out here… one by one… so everyone thinks i hav been updating almost every day… Feel free to comment on my debut on Word Press… they are always welcome, including suggestions, criticism, etc… Cheers! A786 - [i-Bar grows up](https://zahidjavali.com/i-bar-grows-up/): There was a time when you and your woman thrived on smoke and loud music. When you partied from 7pm to 2am and still made it to your first morning classes. When good times were graded by the number of beers downed. You still enjoy loud music and late nights. But, occasionally, you want conversation. Quiet. And Cognac. Well, i-Bar has grown up with you. The seven-year-old lounge bar has reinvented itself from a dark den into a warm, luxe space done up in rose pink and deep red. With patchwork walls, glass screens and sofas, i-Bar now recalls Moulin Rouge, […] - [Chetan Bhagat's Five Point Someone](https://zahidjavali.com/chetan-bhagats-five-point-someone/): Yesterday never dies. School. College. Pink Floyd. Dhaba food. Bunking. Boys. Crushes. Battle of the exes. All of these crossed my mind the moment I heard that Chetan Bhagat’s bestselling lad-lit Five Point Someone is being staged in the city. What better way to meet up with nostalgia and savour yesterday? To top it all, the male-dominated cast is directed by a woman, Nikhila Kesavan. She not only identifies with the characters, but also believes in the story’s premise: Can under-performers, with five-point-something scores (in a 10-point scale) show they are actually five-point-someones? A fast-paced, rib-tickling play set in an IIT […] - [Entrepreneurship, anyone?](https://zahidjavali.com/entrepreneurship-anyone/): ‘How to start a career and be your own boss’. Looks like the title of a self-help book? Sure, it is. But then, it’s not so easy for female mid career professionals who have to weigh in a lot many things before the needle swings any which way. It’s hard for those with spouses, loans, and kids to pull off a start-up. But it’s not impossible either. You just have to love your idea enough to figure out how to do it on the side. But the road to entrepreneurship is pothole-ridden. Take mid career pros. They don’t like the responsibility […] - [Have a webcam, will shoot!](https://zahidjavali.com/have-a-webcam-will-shoot/): Since many video blogs are quite popular these days, here is one very handy tip on making the most of your webcam, even if it happens to be a really cheap one. Watch this easy-to-implement video, and you know what I am talking about. It lasts less than 2 minutes, so it saves your time as well. Best of luck. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcIrPwZauWA] - [Make $2 for every product review](https://zahidjavali.com/make-2-for-every-product-review/): This was waiting to happen. With so many consumer review sites crowding the Internet, how do you stand out from the crowd? Offer more money. And that is exactly what this new Silicon Valley startup is offering: $2 for the first 3000 reviews to drive more traffic to their review site. While it’s still in its beta state with a Google Page Rank of 1/10, if you enroll now, you have an early mover advantage. This is particularly good for those who are already reviewing on other websites to come here and make more money out of it. Right now, sites […] - [What I've learned: Zahid H Javali](https://zahidjavali.com/what-ive-learned-zahid-h-javali/): Journalist, writer, photographer, 33, Bangalore, India ‘What I’ve Learned’ is one of the most popular columns in Esquire magazine. Once, they asked readers to send in their two cents of wisdom gathered over the years. And this is what I sent Esquire. 1. Honestly is indeed the best policy. But just when you think, it’s not working, go ahead anyway. Backtracking can be more harmful. 2. It’s better to be sorry than safe. That translates to taking risks whenever, wherever and not fighting shy of saying ‘sorry’ when you screw up. 3. Sometimes, it pays to listen to your ego. But […] - [Miss Indias are not pretty anymore!](https://zahidjavali.com/miss-indias-are-not-pretty-anymore/): What's a beauty contest without beauties? But that's what has happened with Miss India contests over the years. Some brains, but no beauty whatsoever! I am not impressed! - [Preetam Koilpillai's Black Coffee Productions goes international](https://zahidjavali.com/preetam-koilpillais-black-coffee-productions-goes-international/): Yes. Bangalore lad Preetam Koilpillai has gone international. It’s his group’s first international outing and he is mighty nervous and excited at the same time. Black Coffee Productions will be part of Fitaz 2008, the biennial International Theatre Festival in La Paz, Bolivia that is to be held from April 9th to April 20th. The festival theme this year is “multiculturalism and peace”. Preetam’s play is multilingual – take that to mean, Bengali, Hindi and English. The piece draws elements from his earlier production of The Undertaker, and also uses material developed from various personal experiences of alienation. Drawing from his […] - ['Idea theft' case lands Anubhav Sinha and SRK in the dock](https://zahidjavali.com/anubhav-dus-sinha-and-shah-rukh-khan-in-idea-theft-case/): Just when I thought there’s nothing original under the sun, there comes a case which is not only original, but has been stolen by somebody else who calls it their own. It’s called an ‘idea theft’. And it’s rampant in the TV and film industry. But I didn’t know that an acclaimed film director like Anubhav Sinha (Tum Bin, Dus, Cash) would steal an idea, cast Shah Rukh Khan in the film, and call the story his own. Apparently, Sinha’s wife Ratna heard of the horror story first from Mrinal (Who has written, produced and directed such shows as Dulhann, Mano […] - [Khuda Ke Liye bridges cinematic boundaries after 43 years](https://zahidjavali.com/khuda-ke-liye-bridges-cinematic-boundaries-after-43-years/): Entertainment knows no barriers. What’s more, if done right it can bring two war-torn nations closer. That’s what has happened today. The critically-acclaimed Pakistani film, Khuda Ke Liye, is being screened from today in Indian theatres. This is the first time a Pakistani film has been released in India after 43 years. Quite a feat. With this move, Indians will get to sample the best of the Pakistan film industry and vice versa. Already, Bollywood blockbuster films like Welcome and Taare Zameen Par have been released in Pakistan. Now, it’s the turn of India to return the favour. And what best […] - [How to make money from your blog](https://zahidjavali.com/how-to-make-money-from-your-blog/): Okay. Okay. The topic is instant eye-grab material. You will be salivating to read the next few sentences on how to monetise your blog. I have read tons of stuff on how to monetise your blog and here is what I have found out… 1. First and foremost, get your own domain name. Many affiliate marketing firms and even text link ads don’t work on platforms like WordPress. (I am soon going to start my own blog where I own the domain name). 2. Write content that’s genuine, honest, insightful and original. In the beginning, just keep at gaining a steady […] - [How to create a blog](https://zahidjavali.com/how-to-create-a-blog/): Lots of us are now getting into blogging. But not many know that blogging is more than just maintaining a gripe diary. If it’s a way to show off your writing skills to many, it’s a way to earn some extra cash as well. In fact, some people are earning their monies by indulging in this full time. It’s the latter part of the blogging feature that’s creating many dotcompreneurs. And there’s money to be made through Text Link Ads, affiliate programmes, Google Adsense, selling products and so on. From my experience of the different blogging platforms available (xanga, typepad, blog.com, […] - [Why Apple sucks!](https://zahidjavali.com/why-apple-sucks/): If you are a die-hard Apple fan, I would be too happy to piss on your parade. No, not because I envy you, but because I have reasons other than merely emotional. I have five hard reasons why PCs stand up to iMacs. But first off: I’m no Mac user. Or an iPod or iPhone owner. But I love them. Yes, I love Apple. Because they don’t have a single bug unlike the Microsofts of the world who have monopolised our computing systems. It’s just that I can’t afford a Mac. Not yet atleast. However, that’s not to say Apple is […] - [Watch out for these email hoaxes](https://zahidjavali.com/watch-out-for-these-email-hoaxes/): Okay, first things first. If you have an e-mail account, then you must be familiar with emails like Bill Gates sharing his fortune, Microsoft’s lottery promotion, someone in Nigeria requesting you to be a partner to transfer massive amount of money to his account and many more. How many of you have ever believed these e-mails to be true and took further initiatives like providing required details in the e-mails (in case of Microsoft lottery) or forwarding the mails to your friends (in case of Bill Gates fortune) as said in them. Many people have fallen prey to these false e-mails […] - [Bangalore NGOs](https://zahidjavali.com/bangalore-ngos/): The city lends a helping hand when you need it most. And this stretches to just about every entity in the city. There are counselling centres for alcohol and drug addicts, helplines for runaway children, battered women and even harassed husbands. They lend a patient ear to every socio-economic group and offer solutions to all the problems needling you. These could range from career counselling, unhappy relationships, substance abuse, corruption, unresponsive administration and so on. Some helplines like Sahai are exemplary in their service towards people with suicidal tendencies. Infosys Foundation and the Azim Premji Foundation are doing their bit to […] - [Calling all harassed husbands](https://zahidjavali.com/harassed-husbands-anyone/): After the recent incident of a Bangalore techie killing himself and his wife over perceived infidelity, and his perceived threat of being harassed by his wife, there are scores of people asking me if there is a way to avoid this. Well, there is such a thing in Bangalore like the Harassed Husbands Association. In fact, there are two such associations that offer help to harassed husbands under the banner of Save Indian Family and Asha Kiran. These forums are for members to fight dowry harassment cases hoisted by their wives both abroad and in India. Most members happen to be […] - [If you are what you eat...](https://zahidjavali.com/if-you-are-what-you-eat/): If you are what you eat, then shouldn’t you be gobbling something fierce? Like a scorpion, crocodile, or reindeer? Thanks to Edible, you can. The UK-based specialty store is stocked with obscure delicacies from all over the world. Read more at DAILY CANDY. - [Cool, cooler, coolest!!!](https://zahidjavali.com/cool-cooler-coolest/): Here are a few cool websites that I came across just this morning. There were many, but these won my heart more than the others. They are utilitarian. And that’s what is cool about them. Happy surfing! COUCH POTATOES Are you a TV enthusiast? Watching TV online has become very tangible these days yet searching for the TV show of your choice is usually still a requirement. No worries, SURF THE CHANNEL has done the work for you. They have searched the internet and made available a commendable repertoire of shows which are played online using Divx. And yes, they also […] - [Tech 5.0 is not for the techies!](https://zahidjavali.com/tech-50-is-not-for-the-techies/): It’s amazing! In just three days, my new technology and digital photography blog Tech 5.0 is going great guns. Though the number of visitors aren’t much, what excites me is the amount of time spent by each visitor. It’s averaging at 30 minutes per person. Which is 30 times better than this blog which scores high on the number of visitors, but has an average visitor time of 1.15 mins only. So do take a look. It’s not meant for the techies. It’s meant for you and me, the layman. Once you get to grips with technology, life becomes so much […] - [Struck by stardust!](https://zahidjavali.com/struck-by-stardust/): Here are some more luminaries who stood out during the course of my journalistic career spanning a little more than 12 years. Karan Johar, filmmaker: This was at the launch of his film, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. I asked him when he cried for the very first time in a cinema hall. “When Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn part ways in the film Roman Holiday,” said the 29-year-old filmmaker. “Now of course, I first think a lot, then cry and then laugh.” Suneet Varma, designer: He exploded on to the Delhi fashion scene more than a decade ago with his show-stopping […] - [What if 'Taare Zameen Par' was directed by...](https://zahidjavali.com/what-if-taare-zameen-par-was-directed-by/): Here’s a lovely forward I got from someone. Since Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par is one of my favourite films, this joke make me quite happy… Here goes… If it’s directed by Karan Johar, his starcast could include… Shah Rukh Khan as the arts teacher (duh duh duh!!). Aryan Khan as the dyslexic child (even if he could not act for nuts). Rani Mukerjee as the kid’s mom (assuming Kajol is unavailable). Abhishek Bachchan as the kid’s dad. Amitabh Bachchan as the school principal (who cares if the role is ultra minute, he can afford it). It would be shot in […] - [Parking woes!](https://zahidjavali.com/parking-woes/): The other day, I had to visit Eco Space, the business complex on Outer Ring Road towards Whitefield. And what do I find myself into? A visitor’s parking lot that charges you by the hour. Whether it’s one hour or two hours, you have to pay Rs 20 for every 2 hours of parking. I spent 2.5 hours and had to shell out Rs 40, because that’s how they calculate. That’s Rs 3.75/minute of my usage.  If every other company follows suit, it might eventually become more economical to hire an auto rather than go by your four-wheeler. Not only will […] - [Tips on writing!](https://zahidjavali.com/tips-on-writing/): Be flexible in what you write, advises Dawn Copeman, the editor of two writers’ websites. The only way to be a writer is to write. Now, you don’t necessarily need to write every day, but you do need to write regularly and to strive to constantly improve upon your writing style — to make it tighter, more concise, to make it flow more easily. That is how Dawn Copeman would advice a person suffering from a writer’s block. But what if you’re finding it hard to find topics to write about? What if every time you sit down to write, your […] - [Rooting for risotto](https://zahidjavali.com/rooting-for-risotto/): From March 21-30, i-t.ALIA Bangalore, part of The Park hotel, celebrates the risotto, a surprisingly simple yet delicious and versatile dish of Italian rice. Risotto, which literally means “little rice”, belongs to northern Italy – the Veneto, Lombardy and Piedmont regions. Italians living in the north of Italy usually eat risotto as a first course. Risotto is a special preparation made out of short-grained rice and generous coats of waxy starch. It’s usually made with Arborio rice from Italy’s Po Valley in the Piedmont region, but Vialone Nano, Carnaroli and Baldo rice are also used the world over to make risotto. […] - [Cool gadgets](https://zahidjavali.com/cool-gadgets/): BenQ Portable CP220C DLP Projector Rs 58,990 It’s new. It’s light-weight. And it’s quick and cool, function-wise. Making it a perfect accessory for professionals on the move. Coming from the World’s No 1 DLP projector brand, this got to be real good. Designed for portability, the new projector easily fits into a briefcase, making it a handy and suitable presentation tool. Further, its off-and-go function enables the projector to cool off quickly, saving you precious time when you are carrying it from one place to another. The additional features set it apart: the world-class Carl Zeiss lens, XGA (1024 X 768) […] - [Salaries, anyone?](https://zahidjavali.com/salaries-anyone/): A 50-year-old project manager at a tech firm in the US manages a fleet of engineers and earns a lot more than his Indian counterpart who ends up doing the same job with his engineers out here. Some call it discrimination; some dub it as the incompetency level of the Indian and some dispute all of this. But Industry experts say that the salary in every country is decided by how much the organisation is earning because of the engineer, not what an engineer doing a similar function is earning overseas. “It’s like comparing oranges with apples,” says PM Soni, a […] - [The Risks of a Cash Advance – What You Should Know](https://zahidjavali.com/the-risks-of-a-cash-advance-what-you-should-know/): A cash advance can be immensely helpful to your credit score, and can help you quickly meet temporary financial needs.  You can use a cash advance to help pay your credit card or car payment in order to avoid late fees and a reduction in your credit score.  As long as you borrow wisely and pay the loan back quickly, it can only help you.  But there are risks of taking out a cash advance that you should never ignore. First off, cash advances aren’t usually free. Some online cash advance lenders offer a free first cash advance. But after that, […] - [Have feet, want to globetrot?](https://zahidjavali.com/have-feet-want-to-globetrot/): Stephen M is 32 years old. But his near-constant travel and its accompanying irritants have made him wiser than his years. He always makes sure that the hotel he stays at has high speed Internet connectivity in the room. After all, all he requires is be able to connect his laptop and have Internet access 24 hours without needing to dial up. This way, he can keep in touch with his office. However, he realises that many of the top hotels in the world do not have this facility and instead have a dial up (for which one needs a local […] - [Crime capers: My Hollywood Top 4](https://zahidjavali.com/crime-capers-my-hollywood-top-4/): Cape Fear 128 mins, 1991; Director: Martin Scorsese With this film, Robert De Niro gave a new definition to ‘menacing screen presence’ in Hollywood. As a tattooed revenge-seeker for a case wrongfully won by attorney (Nick Nolte) that forces him to serve jailtime, Niro makes it his mission in life to get back at Nolte, his way. And what’s that? Stalking Nolte’s family, poisoning his dog, brutally assaulting his close friend, and sexually harassing his daughter, Danielle (Juliette Lewis). Lewis gave such a stirring portrait of a terrified victim that she was nominated for the Oscars. And so was Niro. The […] - [How to beat the summer heat!](https://zahidjavali.com/how-to-beat-the-summer-heat/): Being in the thick of summer shouldn’t get you all worked up. But if you are, here are ways to beat the heat. Chef Naren Thimmaiah of the Taj Group’s Gateway Hotel, Bangalore has compiled a menu of six refreshing fruity salads and desserts that will keep you amply hydrated and energised. If you are a regular viewer of CNBC, NDTV, MTV and Zee TV, you must have seen Thimmaiah in action. If you haven’t, here’s some dope on him. He is the executive chef of Taj’s Gateway Hotel known for his innovative, stylish and healthy approach to the principles of […] - [Beware of online text link ad scams](https://zahidjavali.com/beware-of-online-text-link-ad-scams/): Bloggers, beware. After the inheritance scam perpetrated by Nigerian sources, it’s now the text link scam that’s hammering the blogosphere. Apparently, the scamsters get in touch with bloggers, asking for advertising rates for text link ads. And then, they do an electronic bank transfer of a lot more money, and send u another mail saying, it was a mistake and can they get the extra money sent back to them. If you do so, you could become a statistic, too! Coz what happens later is this: the original bank transfer turns out to be fraudulent, and what you sent  becomes the […] - [Hard Rock Cafe rocks; but doesn't roll as much!](https://zahidjavali.com/hard-rock-cafe-rocks-but-doesnt-roll-as-much/): A fortnight after it was soft launched, we stepped inside the Hard Rock Café and stood still. It took us a few minutes to soak in rock memorabilia, from guitars and drumsticks to rock-studded gloves and diamond-studded suits. On our right was the high-ceilinged bar with a stage placed strategically above. On our left was the restaurant that boasted of a false ceiling that diminished the elevated feeling you got at the bar on our right. Straight ahead was the Rock Shop! With metal Harley Davidson pins, li’l guitar keychains, mugs and charity-driven Signature Series line, featuring artists such as Bruce […] - [RaISING the bar](https://zahidjavali.com/raising-the-bar/): A lot happens over a drink. When we stepped into a revamped i-Bar at The Park, we were a living testimony to that. After seven years of serving teeny boppers, the pub decided to grow with its clientele and make it more sophisticated and inspiring. The result is a silky and leathery ambience in rosy pinks and deep reds. Which is a lot better than its previous avatar of bean bags sprawled on the floor on one side and straight backed chairs on the other. The ambience was too mysterious and the music too loud. This time around, i-Bar has stepped […] - [Gadget freak? Read on...](https://zahidjavali.com/gadget-freak-read-on/): Longines watches Rs 28500-1 lakh+ If style and sport is you, then this collected by the Swiss watchmaker could do the trick for you. The range is Faster (inspired by the world of automobiles and motor-sports), Further (for elegance of performance on treks) and Higher (influenced by aviation and Deeper—unveiling the ocean’s secrets). Sporting fluid lines, aerodynamic curves, energy-filled typography and tachymeter, it boasts of an automatic self winding mechanical movement and offering a power reserve of 46 hours. The watches are equipped with triple security deployment buckles that are water- resistant up to 300 metres. Lateral protection for the crown […] - [My favourite international films of late](https://zahidjavali.com/my-favourite-international-films-of-late/): Khuda Ke Liye 120 mins, 2007. Director: Shoaib Mansoor A stirring portrait of today’s terror-driven times, this Pakistani film scores in many departments. There’s some great background score, eye-opening cinematography and an engaging plot. That the actors do justice to the role made director Shoaib Mansoor’s job even easier. Set in Chicago, New York, Afghanistan and Pakistan, it chronicles the life of a non-resident Pakistani trapped by a father who wants her to marry a Pakistani, even though she’s set her sights on a British lad. A conniving father takes her to Pakistan on the pretext of going back to his […] - [My top 4 Hollywood thrillers!](https://zahidjavali.com/my-top-4-hollywood-thrillers/): The Fugitive 131 mins, 1993. Director: Andrew Davis What makes this movie tick is the dynamic between Tommy Lee Jones and Harrison Ford who have acted to steely perfection. In hindsight, they happen to be the most adorable cop-fugitive couple in Hollywood history. In this near-perfect suspense movie adapted from the popular 1960s television series that starred David Janssen, renowned vascular surgeon Dr Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) has been falsely accused and convicted – on circumstantial evidence – of his wife’s (Sela Ward) murder. The bizarre circumstances that led to the death only sweeten the suspense. It’s a consummate nail-biter that […] - [My four favourite mushy movies!](https://zahidjavali.com/my-four-favourite-mushy-movies/): Love Actually 135 mins, 2003. Director: Richard Curtis If you want laughs laced with feeling, this movie is for you. It depicts the serious and foolish side of love with a series of sweetheart stories. Little boy falls in love with a little girl and becomes a rock drummer. Writer falls for his maid and doesn’t care when his book gets ruined. The Prime Minister tells off the President of the US and then falls dropdead in love with a member of his staff. Multiple plot lines carry the movie forward, some funny, some sad, but all to the accompaniment of […] - [My five best comedy films!](https://zahidjavali.com/my-four-best-comedy-films/): The Incredibles 115 mins, 2004. Director: Brad Bird Pixar is synonymous with quality and this film is a testimony of that. It’s about a family of undercover superheroes trying to live the quiet suburban life but forced into action to save the world. There’s lots of humour and silliness for the kids and some clever pop-culture references for adults. Watch it for its extremely sharp writing and plotting (rewarded with a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award nomination), excellent voice acting, extraordinary conceptual design and, most importantly, the audacity to break from the mould and do something different. There are no talking […] - ['Swades' scriptwriter on his favourite stories](https://zahidjavali.com/swades-scriptwriter-on-his-favourite-stories/): Bangalore-based MG Satya (46) who scripted the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Swades, is back to what he does best: write stories for the big screen. Two of his stories have been bought by producers and one Tamil film is to take off shortly. Another story of his is being considered by Yogaraj Bhat, the director of the super hit Kannada film of 2007: ‘Mungaru Male’. After 11 years of making TV commercials, Satya has now decided to go back to making films and TV serials. “When I went bankrupt in 1996, I started doing ad films and corporate films,” recalls Satya. “Now […] - [Have hands, will Krav](https://zahidjavali.com/have-hands-will-krav/): Make no mistake. Traditional martial arts techniques don’t prepare you for the real world. So what does? Krav Maga. It’s the Israeli form of hand-to-hand combat made famous by Hollywood actresses Jennifer Lopez and Angelina Jolie, and most recently by Matt Damon in The Bourne Ultimatum. When you see him tackling his attackers, both armed and unarmed, with lightning hand movements, it was Krav in action. Now, you can, too. The International Krav Maga Federation recently opened its Bangalore chapter. And already, it has 30 members on its rolls, more than half being techies. Not just that. The institution recently conducted […] - [Industry reacts to the Indian budget](https://zahidjavali.com/industry-reacts-to-the-indian-budget/): Finance minister P Chidambaram’s budget has been pro-farmers and pro-middle class. But what do businessfolks think about it? Well, they say it’s a mixed bag. And how? Read on… Alok Ohrie, Managing Director, AMD India Ø  I would like to congratulate the FM for coming out with a budget that strengthens our overall economy and especially its two foundation pillars – agriculture and education. Higher education has received its rightful importance in this year’s budget.  The decision to set up three more IITs, national knowledge centers, two more Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research and scholarships for science education are […] - [An interview with the 'Blue Band'](https://zahidjavali.com/an-interview-with-the-blue-band/): Although this interview with the ‘Blue’ band took place more than three years ago, it’s one of my favourites because of the way the band members responded to some of my pesky questions. Here’s an excerpt from it… happy reading! But first things first, they are four boys who are young, clean-cut, good-looking, well-dressed and somewhat acerbic if truth be told but who can, surprise, surprise, sing. What’s even more interesting than their excellent dance synchronization is the fact that they come out with hit singles often enough to keep them in the public eye. They learned that “Sorry seems to […] - [Tree facts](https://zahidjavali.com/tree-facts/): Came across these fun facts on the wood industry.  Thought, you might find it quite interesting. Happy reading! A generic cord of wood can be used to make 12 dining room table sets, 30 rocking chairs, 250 copies of the Sunday New York Times, 942 one-pound books, 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of paper, 1,200 copies of National Geographic magazine, 2,700 copies of an average (36 page) daily newspaper, 4,000 one-gallon milk containers, 61,370 standard envelopes, 89,870 sheets of letterhead bond paper, 460,000 personal checks, 4,384,000 postage stamps and 7,500,000 toothpicks. An 1,800 square foot home requires about 10,000 board feet of […] - [I am doing well, thank you!](https://zahidjavali.com/i-am-doing-well-thank-you/): This Is My Life, Rated Life: 9.4 Mind: 8.6 Body: 9.6 Spirit: 8.8 Friends/Family: 7.1 Love: 10 Finance: 7.9 Take the Rate My Life Quiz - [Film review: Jodhaa Akbar rocks!](https://zahidjavali.com/film-review-jodhaa-akbar-rocks/): The good news. After a dismal first weekend, Jodhaa Akbar seems to have rocked on its second weekend in big centres like Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore. And industry experts feel that the film has salvaged its reputation after all. Which is good news for director Ashutosh Gowariker. What’s more, after watching the film, I feel he deserves all the crores coming his way. He has managed to create a visual testament of a bygone era. Even if you didn’t understand Hindi or Urdu, you would be able to make sense of the proceedings. The film is shot for the big screen. […] - [Has Jodhaa Akbar flopped?](https://zahidjavali.com/jodhaa-akbar-flops/): Call it miscalculation or a blinkered view of how films should be produced in India, director Ashutosh Gowariker has become his own nemesis with Jodhaa Akbar. By spending a lot of money on the unsung love between Muslim emperor Akbar and his Hindu wife Jodhaa, Gowariker has ended up with a weighty flop on his hands, according to IBOS Network, that claims to know box office receipts first hand. However, others like Indiafm and boxofficeindia claim that the film is a hit in Mumbai and a super hit in Mysore. Whatever be the case, one thing is certain. The gross misrepresentation […] - [Falling in love with a river...](https://zahidjavali.com/falling-in-love-with-a-river/): What happens when a young scientist arrives at the banks of the river Ganga? What happens when she sees a connect between science and religion, between its self-cleansing waters and the bacteria that inhabit it? What happens when poor children die and the government looks the other way? It’s this ‘what’ that playwright Gautam Raja addresses in his tale of twists, The Invisible River. What makes it entertaining is the eclectic mix of characters that drag themselves all over his script – a pujari with a devious motive, a malicious ‘neta’ and a smart slum boy. Developed for the Theatrescience Project- […] - [How to make money in Bangalore real estate](https://zahidjavali.com/how-to-make-money-in-bangalore-real-estate/): Rumour has it that real estate in Bangalore has headed for a slowdown. But if you look at property buying, it’s not as bad. Yes, the banning of property registration has affected the rate ‘officially’, but a lot of transactions are happening through the ‘Power of Attorney’ route. Some are just doing the deal with the sellers and waiting for the property registrations to open, so they can register. This reminds me of an interview I had done with Irfan Razack, the head honcho of Prestige Builders in Bangalore some two years ago. Here are excerpts from it. Just one statutory […] - [HSR Layout: A realty check](https://zahidjavali.com/hsr-layout-a-realty-check/): HSR Layout is a new neighbourhood. Therefore, it’s still pristine. But what threatens its peaceful existence is the rampant illegal construction activity in the area. Though the law permits only ground + two floors, there are many constructions that are three and even four floors above the ground floor. And the worst part is the authorities are looking the other way. If they don’t crack their whip now, these buildings would become full-grown monstrocities and demolishing them would require a lot more effort and court approval. But now, it’s as easy as falling off a log. So why don’t they just […] - [Doctorspeak](https://zahidjavali.com/doctorspeak/): Health is indeed wealth in today’s disease-embedded times. Here are some handy tips from people in the medical field. Do make the most of them. Happy living! Dr PS Murthy, consultant psychiatrist 1.    Avoid stress by setting realistic and achievable goals. 2.    Accept the work that is given to you with a positive frame of mind, irrespective of its outcome. 3.    Take small (mini) breaks and relax at work. 4.    Take weekend breaks with family or visit places that rejuvenate and recharge you. 5.    Inform your family members about the nature of your work so they don’t have unreasonable expectations regarding […] - [The 'i' in your l'i'fe?](https://zahidjavali.com/the-i-in-your-life/): Carry your digital world in your shirt pocket. Get tomorrow’s technology today. Step right inside istore, India’s largest store for apple products. It’s an i-shaped store – walk in, and you will only keep walking, with gadgets on both sides vying for attention. From Free Agent Go that lets you store up to 160 GB of data (Rs 9200) to the large screen Apple monitor (Rs 35,600-Rs 1,01,300), there’s something for everyone. For travel buffs, there’s the world travel adapter kit (Rs 2100) that allows you to hook up to six international adapters. I only have one problem with this store. […] - [Jodhaa Akbar, anyone?](https://zahidjavali.com/akbar-jodha-anyone/): Okay. Okay. I am not talking about Ashutosh ‘Lagaan’ Gowariker’s new film, Jodhaa Akbar. I am talking about a restaurant that brings back the days of his era. Jalsa is the name and it’s indeed a welcome diversion. Housed in a white fortress, you walk up to the reception, and a darban clad in a colourful kurta-pajama and jodhpuri chappals ushers you in. Inside, it’s the picture of a Mughal darbar a la Umrao Jaan, complete with glittering curtains, red-blue-green lights, old Hindi melodies wafting in the air, and the aroma of Mughal food. To the strains of Jagjit Singh’s ‘Tumko […] - [Sole to soul!](https://zahidjavali.com/sole-to-soul/): Has work become such a bitch that you can’t take a break for a few days? Well, go the De Bono way. Think lateral, and make the most of your weekend. Drive out of the city and into the arms of Shreyas to discover Zen-like hospitality. You are greeted with 25 acres of whispering palms, open, grassy spaces, lotus-filled water bodies, ascetic stone pillars and flowers injecting colour and fragrance into the peace and calm. The outdoor Jacuzzi and heated ozonated pool adds to the Zen-like flow of the place. You could wear the ‘Shhhhhhreyas badge’ so the staff leaves you […] - [Xbox360 is now 30% cheaper!](https://zahidjavali.com/xbox360-is-now-30-cheaper/): Great news for gaming buffs! The supremely fantabulous XBox360 gaming console is cheaper by $50. It’s down from nearly Rs 7000 ($180) to Rs 5000 ($130). If you want to make it your own lightning quick, just visit HERE. Happy gaming! Just don’t become an addict! And in case you do, make sure you start a Gamers Anonymous! - [Want to be fit as a fiddle? Read on...](https://zahidjavali.com/want-to-be-fit-as-a-fiddle-read-on/): Much of our time is spent worrying about  the maid who didn’t come today or the business meeting we have scheduled for the morning.  The problem is not the worry. The fatal  flaw is  the way  work and home worries envelop our lives 24/7. To wrestle out of this situation, here are a few tips that should keep you sane all day and all night. Happy reading! Spend time in silence. Be grateful for what you have. Mentally or on paper, plan the day out. If you don’t do the previous night, write out your to-do list of the most exciting […] - [Gmail scam](https://zahidjavali.com/gmail-scam/): I just uncovered a scam being carried out by Gmail. I send out a mail to 500 people (my group ID) and later realised that I couldn’t send any more email. Everytime I tried to send a message, a window would pop up saying, ‘An error occurred trying to send the message’. Later, I tried to contact the Google Help Centre, and was led to the Help Forum. Over there, i typed the error message, and presto, i got the answer i was looking for. Only, the answer was given by one of the users themselves and not any Google staff […] - [Spreading positivity!](https://zahidjavali.com/spreading-positivity/): The other day, i had written about how people of different religious groups co-exist in Bangalore. It was picked up by an Indian ashram and my entire blog post was reproduced with my byline description on to their website. What followed were diverse reactions from people who were overwhelmed by this form of secularism… ofcourse there were some who said, Bangaloreans are moving away from religion and more towards materialism… Any way you look at it, I am glad i could open the eyes of several people who still feel most of us are pseudo secularists and that there is no […] - [Got juice?](https://zahidjavali.com/got-juice/): With Internet at your arm’s length, edgy and humourous writing is up for sampling every day. One such cool website is dailycandy.com. Sample this recent piece on their website and you will know why I like their daily reviews. You can subscribe to their daily newsletter, too. Even if it’s out of your geographic reach, just the writing will keep you sanely engaged. Happy reading! RECENT SAMPLE: It’s Gettin’ Hot in Here Electralog Space-Saving Stove heat things up! Renter: What’s so decorative about that fireplace? Seems pretty status quo to me. Realtor: Um, decorative, meaning, it’s just for show. (Under breath: […] - [Bus tickets at your doorstep](https://zahidjavali.com/bus-tickets-at-your-doorstep/): Some good news for road transport users. BangaloreOne has tied up with www.redBus.in to offer a ‘Private Bus ticketing service’ to folks in Karnataka. You can now walk-in to any BangaloreOne centre and book bus tickets for the following bus operators: VRL Travels, Raj National Express, Praveen Travels, Kesineni Travels, Kamat Tourist, National Travels, ABT X Travels, Kallada Travels, Diwakar Travels, Sugama Tourist, SKS Travels, Golden Travels, Shama Transport, Ambica Travels, Conti Travels, Indira Travels, KRMS Travels, SS Travels, Sabharwal Transports, Saleem Travels and KGN Travels. The service is available 24 X 7 X 365. Citizens have the option to either […] - [A city by the lake](https://zahidjavali.com/a-city-by-the-lake/): HSR Layout is a beautiful city within a city. It’s self sustaining and has just about everything needed for peaceful existence: long roads, less of pollution, innumerable department stores, hospitals, clinics, gyms, beauty parlours for men and women, spas, creches, schools, and also a beautiful lake gone to seed. Just when things were looking up – the lake development authority had decided to hand over the lake’s upkeep and beautification to Christ College – the Bangalore Development Authority handed over the layout to the Bangalore City Corporation, and things went back to square one. The cleaning of storm water drains leading […] - [Wipro's park](https://zahidjavali.com/wipros-park/): A few years ago, a park in Koramangala was adopted by India’s richest man, Azim Premji. Go there today, and you will realise the poor state of it. Children’s amusements like see-saw, slider and so on are in ruin. The pond is home to mosquitoes. The lawns aren’t in their best finery. The security guard isn’t around. It wears an uncared-for look. Is this how Wipro wants to showcase its might to the world? Are promises meant to be broken? Has the dollar depreciation made Premji so poor that he can’t take care of the park in front of his office? […] - [Writer of Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Swades' unspools](https://zahidjavali.com/writer-of-shah-rukh-khan-starrer-swades-unspools/): MG Satya (46) who scripted the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Swades, is back to what he does best: write stories for the big screen. Two of his stories have been bought by producers and one Tamil film is to take off shortly. Another story of his is being considered by Yogaraj Bhat, the director of the super hit Kannada film of 2007: ‘Mungaru Male’. After 11 years of making TV commercials, Satya has now decided to go back to making films and TV serials. “When I went bankrupt in 1996, I started doing ad films and corporate films,” recalls Satya. “Now I […] - [The life and times of Vijay Mallya](https://zahidjavali.com/the-life-and-times-of-vijay-mallya/): Vijay Mallya and the jet he owns have a lot in common. Boeing as a brand is pretty much what aviation is about. Mallya as a brand is what India Inc. is all about. It takes Boeing 10 months to build a large and trustworthy piece of machinery. That’s about how long it took Mallya to create the fundamentals of an equally strong and trustworthy political party. The story of Dr Vijay Mallya cannot be told as a single, seamless, linear tale; the nature of the man prevents any such straitjacketing. His story jumps countries, time zones, cars and careers. From […] - [Women's magazines lower self esteem and how!](https://zahidjavali.com/womens-magazines-lower-self-esteem-and-how/): Be it Cosmopolitan, Verve or Women’s Era, they lower self esteem. The fact that some of them are available in Hindi and Kannada makes it even more distressing. Most of these magazines are editorially alarmist and politically biased. The problem stems from the conceit that women are victims. Do women spend their days worrying whether antiperspirants cause breast cancer or wondering if a long airline ride will cause a fatal blood clot? Or are we just observing today’s favourite media technique to paint women’s lives to women audiences as a picture of accumulated woes? What’s worse is that even men are […] - [Films can change your life](https://zahidjavali.com/films-can-change-your-life/): L.I.F.E. Just four letters. But pregnant with meaning. So when you have films that are a stirring portrait of life, you should leave everything you are caught up with, and make sure you land up at the auditorium to watch these internationally acclaimed films. And that’s how it was when I was witness to a few critically acclaimed films from Pakistan, Turkey, Finland, South Africa, Iran, the US and the UK at the second Bangalore International Film Festival organised by Suchitra Film Society and the Government of Karnataka. Out of the 8 films I saw, two films stood out for their […] - [When death knocks...](https://zahidjavali.com/when-death-knocks/): Just came back after witnessing an accident where a sand truck went over a two wheeler guy. Saw the driver and his assistant taking to their heels. The helmet was flung a few metres away from the victim who was lying face down. No movement. Spot death. Don’t know whose fault it was. Could have been the victim’s. He was crossing the road at a small intersection while the truck was on the fast lane. It happened at around 11pm when there is relatively less traffic. Felt my stomach squirm. Didn’t feel like eating when I reached home. Death is such […] - [The future of Nano](https://zahidjavali.com/the-future-of-nano/): Nano. Appears to be Tata’s gift to the world. Right on time. He’s packing his bags and heading to a life of relative anonymity. Will Nano follow him? Don’t think so. And this is why: 1. Most Nanos could become autos across the country. That would mean, safer, relatively pollution-free private transport. 2. The number of two-wheelers will come down on the roads as people opt for Nano, reducing pollution loads and rash driving. 3. It could make all the small car owners like Maruti to offer a lot more at the existing price of Rs 1.93 lakh. 4. It could […] - [Live music in Bangalore](https://zahidjavali.com/live-music-in-bangalore/): “Dear sir, dear mam, this Sunday, we’re having a jam no bread no butter just jam just jam maybe marmalade maybe metal rather raaga rather rock sometimes salsa sometimes soul p’haps pictures p’haps poems l’il fizz l’il jazz lotsa fun lotsa juice dear sir dear mam just jam just jam.” This poem by a Freedom Jam regular sums up the live entertainment scene in Bangalore that’s increasingly getting better by the day. And there’s nothing quite like live music to set the mood. Here is where Bangalore scores. It has always been the rock capital of the country and continues to […] - [Goodbye 2007:( Hello 2008 :)](https://zahidjavali.com/goodbye-2007-hello-2008/): 2007 turned out to be a mixed bag for me. Earlier in the year, I had to take a very important decision — to stop working for somebody and do something on my own. And I did after working 12 years full-time for somebody or the other. Not because I didn’t like working under someone, but because the job didn’t allow me to make the most of my versatility. Now, I can write for publications, and find time to do photography, pen short stories and memoirs, be part of new ventures… the possibilities are endless. Ofcourse, the beginning wasn’t easy. It […] - [My photo session](https://zahidjavali.com/my-photo-session/): The other day, I spent an hour in front of the camera rather than behind it. It was my very first proper photo session. The Man magazine wanted to crown me by getting a professional photographer to take my picture for their next issue. The occasion? I had won an international essay contest on The Rape of Nanking (you can read it on this blog). Though I had been taking pictures for the last many years now, I still got to learn a lot from photographer Bhanu Prakash Chandra. To begin with, what I assumed to be a 15-minute shoot took […] - [The hand of Al Qaida!](https://zahidjavali.com/the-hand-of-al-qaida/): Okay, the suspense is over. So it’s the Al Qaida who executed Benazir Bhutto! Looks like Osama’s deputies have taken over from him as this operation points out (his deputy ordered her killing according to Al Qaida’s spokesperson). Killing one Osama isn’t going to do any good. But killing one Benazir does (for the terror outfits). There are many Osamas around, but very few dare-devil Benazirs who could risk their family and themselves in the service of the nation. Who will chop the hand of Al Qaida and many such fundamentalist outfits? Musharaff? Manmohan Singh? George Bush? Or will there be […] - [A scam called Innovative Multiplex in Bangalore](https://zahidjavali.com/a-scam-called-innovative-multiplex-in-bangalore/): It’s a four-screen multiplex on the city’s Outer Ring Road that opened more than three years ago. When it opened, the food, picture and sound quality seemed quite good, but now it’s becoming progressively worse. Here are my grouses: 1. The management is corrupt. On opening days of big movies, the man at the ticket counter hands out ‘advance receipts’ as ‘entry tickets’. The scam: the advance receipts are not taxed as there is no rate of admission stamped on it. Thereby, the management is defrauding the income tax authorities. 2. Even on week-days when the fare is supposed to be […] - [Bhutto assassination!](https://zahidjavali.com/bhutto-assassination/): Assassination of any prominent political leader chills me to the bone. Not because I fear for my life. But because it’s such a chilling scenario. The moment my friend called to inform that former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, I was shocked. Not because I sympathise with her or I am a big fan of hers, it’s just the news by itself. There is so much anarchy in Pakistan. Despite warnings, Bhutto decided to come back to Pakistan after so many years of spending her time outside the country, and this is the reception she gets. The issue is […] - [TZP: A review after a second view!](https://zahidjavali.com/tzp-a-review-after-watching-it-the-second-time/): Four days after I first watched Taare Zameen Par, i went to PVR and watched it again by default. Here is what I felt during the course of the film: 1. I cried on three occasions, exactly when Aamir cries on screen. And this was exactly how it went when I watched the film for the first time, too! 2. I thought Aamir had lessened the impact of the first half by concentrating on dyslexia in the second half, and not on how some children just don’t like to study the usual subjects. Upon second viewing, i don’t think it lessened […] - [Lights, camera, cut!](https://zahidjavali.com/lights-camera-cut/): Do you thumb down films made purely for lightweight escapism? Do you scoff at films that lack artistic credibility? Then this film festival might just do the trick. Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy and the Government of Karnataka are presenting the second Bangalore International Film Festival this January. It will showcase 110 critically-acclaimed films spread over a week from over 40 countries. Here are a few must-watch films: The Lives of Others: Is your private life really private? This Academy award winner by Florian Donnersmarck makes you think deep when a successful playwright is constantly being monitored by the socialist regime. […] - [Sweetheart Darsheel, braveheart Aamir](https://zahidjavali.com/braveheart-darsheel-gutsy-aamir/): It tugs at your heartstrings. It makes you reach for the tissues. It makes you laugh. It makes you happy. And you go back home with a lesson for life. That’s the remarkable effect of Aamir Khan’s new film. Taare Zameen Par celebrates good cinema and at the same time, takes joy in rebelling against every prevailing idiom in the film industry. No flashy sets, no out-of-context songs, no item girls, no distracting side actors who come in to provide comic relief. TZP is a no-nonsense film that makes its way straight to your heart and also stimulates the mind. Taare […] - [Follow-up journalism is dead, long live journalism!](https://zahidjavali.com/follow-up-journalism-is-dead-long-live-journalism/): The media breaks a good story, starts a new campaign, but midway loses steam. There goes the real impact of those stories. Take the recent Bangalore campaign by The Times of India to depict the sorry state of roads in the city. It ran for just about a week and stopped abruptly. Not that the roads were in a better shape after that. This is the bane of journalism. Is their glamour in starting a new campaign but no such thing when it comes to following up on it? Does the city have too many scams breaking every day that there […] - [Short take on Taare Zameen Par](https://zahidjavali.com/short-review-of-taare-zameen-par/): Just came back after watching TZP and can’t help the eyes welling up everytime i recall the story of a dyslexic child. There are many memorable scenes in the film. It’s a must-watch film that should be made tax-free across the country pronto, so that everyone gets to see the film. Every school should organise free viewings of this film to both teachers and students. And every parent and young adult who will soon be a parent, must watch this film. It’s got soul. And oodles of it. A more detailed review will follow soon. This is only a curtain raiser. […] - [A Bollywood actress, WorldTel chief and yours truly!](https://zahidjavali.com/bollywood-actress-worldtel-chief-and-myself/): I saw him the first time with Raveena Tandon at Windsor Sheraton’s Jolly Nabobs. It was the premiere of Arjun Sajnani’s film Agni Varsha. I didn’t know the guy sitting next to Tandon was Samir Singh, who took the place of Mark Mascarenhas at WorldTel. A few days later, a chance telephonic conversation with Prasad Bidapa, and I realised who Singh was, and immediately fixed a meeting with him. It was a holiday for his 10-member team at his apartment office in Indiranagar. He lived on the same lane, and one ring on his cell and he was at his office […] - [The Amazing Diary of Indian Mole Aged 11](https://zahidjavali.com/the-amazing-diary-of-indian-mole-aged-11/): If you’ve read Sue Townsend’s Adrian Mole series of books, you will know where I am coming from. Her works are a series of diary jottings maintained by a boy who is aged 13 3/4th years… her later books talk about his notings in his adult years and so on. Here is my interpretation of the Indian version of Adrian Mole on a variety of topics that are making headlines these days… have a laugh and keep coming back to this post as I will be adding to this diary as and when Indian Mole is inspired enough! Feb 6, 7am […] - [Children's films and Nanhe Jaisalmer](https://zahidjavali.com/childrens-films-and-nanhe-jaisalmer/): When I was a kid, i used to look forward to the annual international children’s film festival. Today, children are the most ignored. Both by their parents and by the filmmakers. In this scenario, when Makdee, Hanuman (whose sequel Hanuman Returns is about to be released) and My Friend Ganesha become box office successes, it makes me happy because this could nudge other filmmakers to make many more children’s films. While Aamir Khan’s new film, Taare Zameen Par, isn’t really a children’s film, it’s about children. Hope this sparks interest in making the world of children a much better place to […] - [How to heal yourself](https://zahidjavali.com/how-to-heal-yourself/): There are many ways to heal yourself. Here are three that could do the deed. Happy healing! And do write to me with your experiences. What is Vipassana? With celebrities like former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, Priyanka Gandhi, veejay and actress Sushama Reddy, super cop Kiran Bedi and Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah’s daughter Heeba as its active votaries, Vipassana is here to stay. A beginners’ course consists of a 10-day period of silence and abstinence. This includes the following tenets: 1.       Abstaining from speaking, stealing, eating elaborately, thinking ill of others and indulging in sexual activity and intoxicants […] - [Bangalore's 'real estate' story](https://zahidjavali.com/bangalores-real-estate-story/): Bengaluru is a metaphor of an India that has arrived on the global scene. And this begins with world-class self-sustaining ‘mixed use’ townships. Not to mention, smart digital homes that let you control your household appliances, lights and even the garage door from the comfort of your office. All you need to do is press a button or swipe a card. Add to this, the office space absorption figures for 2006 which reached a new high of 14.2 million sq ft, the highest among metros in India and the second highest in the world after Tokyo. With the increase in absorption […] - [Aromas of secularism](https://zahidjavali.com/aromas-of-secularism/): While Western workers pop antidepressants and tranquilizers to beat stress, India seeks relief from the pressures of its emerging materialistic society with a booming spirituality industry. Personnel departments in big firms are calling on spiritual gurus to help new recruits handle the tensions of modern-day life. And the best part? You don’t need to trek to the Himalayas to learn meditation any more. Bengaluru boasts of over 50 ashrams and spiritual centres. These range from global biggies such as the Art of Living, Mata Amrithanandamayi Math, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the Satya Sai Baba ashram to relatively […] - [On the sets of "Accident"](https://zahidjavali.com/on-the-sets-of-accident/): How does it feel spending a day on the sets of the latest Ramesh Aravind’s directorial venture, Accident? I decided to find out one wintry morning by driving all the way to Prakruti, a house off Kanakpura Road and found a crew of 80 members already stationed at the spot. This is what I noticed during the day-long stay at the film set. “I was lucky that my first directorial debut did well!” As always, I won us over by Ramesh Aravind’s simplicity, talent and an unwavering focus on the job at hand. He excelled in acting and direction at the […] - [KM Chaitanya: Director of an underworld film speaks out](https://zahidjavali.com/km-chaitanya-director-of-an-underworld-film-speaks-out/): (When I saw his name in the many film ads, I realised he was my senior in college. Without further ado, I decided to meet him for a film magazine where I am on the advisory board… here is what I wrote on this young debutante director in Sandalwood. My review of his film will follow in the next post.) He started small to make a big impression. After more than a decade of hard work, Lady luck has finally smiled on thirty-three-year-old KM Chaitanya. The debutant director’s Kannada film Aa Dinagalu (back in those days) is running to packed houses. […] - [Sanctuary for the soul](https://zahidjavali.com/sanctuary-for-the-soul/): Step in at Zync, the café-restaurant near Safina Plaza Fancy a place for some coffee and conversation in an old-world ambience?  A space that’s away from the madding crowd and still in the heart of the city? Then step right inside Zync. Housed in an extension of a 100-year-old Victorian bungalow, this L-shaped all-white café-restaurant near Safina Plaza is celebrating its second anniversary by revamping its culinary options and adding Mexican food to its existing menu of Thai, continental and Italian cuisine. From the more wild than mild nachos and tortillas to tasty meat balls, cheesy veggies, burgers, salads, pastas and […] - [Book review: Ginger Soda Lemon Pop](https://zahidjavali.com/book-review-ginger-soda-lemon-pop/): Read this book to awaken the child within Hello everyone. I am a five-year-old girl going on six. I have not seen my father since I was born. I think God is love. And she probably looks just like my mummy. In my second year of kindergarten, I have learnt my own little big lessons. I would like to share some of them with you: 1.      Those who go away never really leave us. There is an eternal fragrance that lingers on. 2.      The thrill of life is always the strongest when it seems like it’s all going to end. 3.      […] - [Ban opinion polls](https://zahidjavali.com/ban-opinion-polls/): The first of the opinion polls is upon us, this time initiated by the Malayala Manorama Group’s The Week magazine. ‘Modi wins, lotus wilts!’ reads the screaming headline that prides itself on bringing the results of an exclusive Gujarat election survey. The kicker headline goes on to say that the CM is popular, but BJP faces a resurgent Congress. Can there be a more balanced story than this one? Consider for a moment that this story is manufactured, then who would tend to benefit from this? The Congress and Narendra Modi, ofcourse. Now consider that the story is sponsored by the […] - [Dubious distinctions of 2007](https://zahidjavali.com/dubious-distinctions-of-2007/): For films that should never have been made, there’s the Raspberry awards. For inventions that should never ever be attempted, there’s the Ig Nobel awards. To outsmart the ‘videsis’, our ‘desi’ bhai log at Filmfare decided to hand out awards to real life heroes and heroines of 2007. Here are the winners who shaked things up in the Year of the Pig. Over to the winners. Best singer: Goes to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for singing Sonia’s tunes ever since he assumed office and not getting tired of his nightingale act. Many speculated that his throaty marathon will not last long. […] - [Larger-than-life TV anchors](https://zahidjavali.com/larger-than-life-tv-anchors/): At a time when the issue should be larger than the subject questioning it, TV9 does the most ignoble of things. By projecting reporters larger than life. Just the other day, I saw a live voice broadcast of a reporter, giving his take on the dismal state of Karnataka politics, as if he’s an expert on the subject. Even that is okay by me. But what is not, is the way his photograph filled up almost half the screen, while the rest carried file footage of the Karnataka drama that unfolded in the last two months. A decade ago, this practice […] - [Strange ways of Bollywood!](https://zahidjavali.com/strange-ways-of-bollywood/): If you’ve read Sue Townsend’s Adrian Mole series of books, you will know where I am coming from. Her works are a series of diary jottings maintained by a boy who is aged 13 3/4th years… her later books talk about his notings in his adult years and so on. Here is my interpretation of the Indian version of Adrian Mole on a variety of topics that are making headlines these days… have a laugh and keep coming back to this post as I will be adding to this diary as and when Indian Mole is inspired enough! Feb 6, 2007, […] - [Discovering serendipity](https://zahidjavali.com/discovering-serendipity/): For years, I used to pity people who were into self-help books (which meant most of America). Until Betty Shine happened. There I was browsing for more than an hour at Sankars Book Stall when my eye picked out her book, Mind Magic. Maybe it was the jacket blurb. Maybe it was my age – I had just turned 30. Maybe it’s a bit of all this, but the fact is it was a fortunate accident. The next few days stretched my mind. Shine says that we are energy beings first. Without our energy counterpart of the physical body, we would […] - [Tehelka's expose on Gujarat riots](https://zahidjavali.com/tehelkas-expose-of-the-gujarat-genocide-3/): While every secular-sounding newspaper and TV channel is crying itself hoarse on how Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is the Hitler of India post the government-sponsored Gujarat riots of 2002, I have a simple question: who made him that? Is it LK Advani who rode drunk on his chariot to reclaim the ‘Ram Janmabhoomi’ and helped in demolishing the Babri Masjid? Is it Praveen Togadia of the Vishwa Hindu Parishat whose inciting speeches can light the fire beneath any normal human being least associated with fundamentalism? Or is it you and me for remaining silent over the issue and not reading […] - [Om, where's Shanti?](https://zahidjavali.com/om-wheres-shanti-3/): The title just about sums up the little bit of suspense that envelops SRK’s latest starrer. Ofcourse, the storyline has now been told a million times on our promotional TV channels and newspapers/magazines, so I will skip that. But what I will tell you are the following: Shah Rukh Khan: His screen presence can leave any novice wishing he had one. Dress him up in the worse shirt and trouser, and he will still get many heads to turn. Get him to mouth all the clichés in the world, and he will still deliver a superhit like it has happened with […] - [Dude, where's the news?](https://zahidjavali.com/dude-wheres-the-news-4/): I mimic, therefore I am. This seems to be the credo of TV anchors and news readers today. If some are bad at what they do, others are good at imitating their channel founders. If it’s not Prannoy Roy’s accent on NDTV, it’s Vinod Dua’s Hindi inflection on Aaj Tak. Will people ever find an identity of their own? What’s worse are slip-a-thons. Not a minute passes and there goes the slip. If it’s not the pronunciation, it’s the anchor’s persistent lack of knowledge. If that isn’t all, it’s their awkward pauses and grammatical errors galore. The regional news isn’t any […] - [OSO-Saawariya overkill on the idiot box](https://zahidjavali.com/oso-saawariya-overkill-on-the-idiot-box/): The song ‘Dard-e-disco’ in the just-released Hindi film ‘Om Shanti Om’ has become India’s new anthem. No problem with that. It’s got a mellifluous Sufi influence. Has the timbre and tenor needed of a song that waxes eloquent on matters of the heart. But what gets my goat is the way the TV news channels are airing interviews with the cast and crew of Om Shanti Om and Saawariya ad infinitum. I have no issues with promos breaking the news segment for some comic relief, but advertorials disguised as editorials is definitely not on. If the general entertainment channels air similar-sounding […] - [Saffronisation of Indian television](https://zahidjavali.com/saffronisation-of-indian-television/): Ekta Kapoor and her counterparts like Dheeraj Kumar and Aruna Irani seem to be intent on saffronising television. Pick any soap on Sony, Star Plus or Zee, and you will see some or the other pooja being telecast into drawing rooms across the country. Agreed, it’s a Hindu-dominated country and such rituals are part and parcel of the majority, but the frequency of such rituals has gone beyond tolerance levels. Remember, this is on national television and therefore needs to be tailored to every other religion in the country. What’s more, much of the customs and rituals shown in these serials […] - [Weapons of mass distraction](https://zahidjavali.com/weapons-of-mass-distraction/): There’s a looming threat of misinformation in the Indian subcontinent. Most media houses are either run by businessmen with strong links to politicians or worse, run by the kurta-clad themselves. If it was a covert operation earlier, today the ownership is out in the open. Every political party worth its salt is trying to gather as much media steam to envelop the country. Knowledge is power, but when the power of disseminating it is at the hands of netas, you have to take every information from their media vehicles with much introspection. Experts attest that many communal riots would not have […] - [Prison Break: A review of the hugely popular TV serial](https://zahidjavali.com/prison-break-a-review-of-the-hugely-popular-tv-serial/): Prison Break makes you an addict. You can’t wait to watch the next episode on TV. Your eyes might be dead and tired watching the episodes back to back (I got it downloaded from the Net), but your motivation to keep watching it is so high that your eyes can’t do a thing about it. Such is the addiction. Right now, two seasons, each of 22 episodes, are over. The next season is to start in September. Can’t wait. Feeling breathless already. SO WHAT IS PRISON BREAK? It’s about an average bloke Lincoln Burrows getting framed for the murder of the […] - [Bangalore's own X-Files?](https://zahidjavali.com/bangalores-own-x-files/): According to Dr. Satwant K. Pasricha of NIMHANS in Bangalore, “Yes, there is life after death.” A professor of Clinical Psychology at NIMHANS, she has worked with A.N. Stevenson, a world authority on reincarnation. According to her, a human being is made up of physical (body) and non-physical (mind) components. Once a person is dead, the non-physical associates with another physical body and lives on. Pasricha claims that most babies recall previous lives between the ages of two and four. “Observing the behaviour of their parents, the child starts talking on impulse about his previous birth, saying things like, ‘Father never […] - [>Meet the coffee dreg reader](https://zahidjavali.com/meet-the-coffee-dreg-reader/): >Nawal Gani can tell your fortune from a cup of coffee. “They don’t ask me anything. And I don’t ask them anything. They come. I give them my coffee to drink. Ask them to leave a little behind. Then I tell them to blow into the cup and wish for something. I then take the cup from them, tilt it over the saucer and wait. Once the coffee in the cup has dried, I begin to read.” This is a legacy from her mother Raja Abdul Gani who used to earlier hand people cups of java and read their futures for […] - [>Tiny Thyagrajan and her crystal ball!](https://zahidjavali.com/tiny-thyagrajan-and-her-crystal-ball/): >She looks diminutive but claims to have inner strengths that are gargantuan. She says she has a ‘third eye’ or psychic powers that allows her to peer into the future. Sitting in her chamber at Hotel Ashoka in the year 2000, Tiny Thyagrajan, Bangalore’s occult lady laid bare the mystical story of the crystal ball and her claim to fame. How do you use the crystal ball?Through my third eye and extra sensory perception. When a client comes to see me, I ask the person to hold the ball tightly in his or her hand. After five minutes, I take it […] - [>Handwriting Analysts Come To The Rescue](https://zahidjavali.com/handwriting-analysts-come-to-the-rescue/): >According to KC Janardhan (46), a well-known Bangalore handwriting analyst and calligraphist, attractive women working in PR positions in some of the city’s finer hotels and corporate houses, are being harassed by anonymous letter-writers who are maligning their reputations. “These anonymous letters are malicious and amount to character assassinations. Usually, the women are accused of being ‘loose charactered’ and ‘cheap.’ I was approached by the HRD people from a couple of these hotels. They wanted me to identify the culprits by analysing the letters. I took handwriting samples of the hotel staff, which pointed me in the right direction. I made […] - [>India will have its youngest woman Prime Minister, says astrologer](https://zahidjavali.com/india-will-have-its-youngest-woman-prime-minister-says-astrologer/): >Way back in 2000, Dr N Keerthi Raj (42) of Raj’s Astro Research Centre in Jayanagar predicted to this writer that then Chief Minister S M Krishna will face opposition and resultant downfall after 3 years. His prediction came true. Here are the other things we can look forward in the near future: Raj predicts that the country will have its youngest woman Prime Minister. According to him, a positive wave swept India after 9/11. “Our country is running under venus dasa from 11-09-89 to 11-09-2009. The second half Venus dasa starts from 11-09-99. Venus being on the ascendant indicates that […] - [>Vashikaran: A Vedic way to manipulate circumstance](https://zahidjavali.com/vashikaran-a-vedic-way-to-manipulate-circumstance/): >Another version of Dale Carnegies, “How to win friends and influence people”?Tucked away in the older part of Koramangala in Bangalore, is a small house, with big ideas. Here sit Raman Iyengar and his father V N. Alwar Iyengar, who run correspondence courses in occultism. The most intriguing is one called Vashikaran, which in Sanskrit, means `to control another’. An interesting concept indeed, considering much of our waking energies are spent trying to exert some form or other control over the environment, people, our own skills and actions.The course teaches you the art of developing better relationships of all kinds: man-woman, […] - [>Meet the parrot reader](https://zahidjavali.com/meet-the-parrot-reader/): >Sai Sethuram (58) has spent most of his life on the pavements of Bangalore’s Kamaraj Road, providing balm for both the body and soul of people who stop to seek his counsel. His ‘office’ is under a tree in the car park and for the past twenty years, he has read palms and dispensed traditional Indian medicine. When this writer approached him, perhaps seeing opportunity, Sethuram immediately demanded Rs 1,000. But fairly soon, he settled down to speak about himself. Talking about one’s self can be a heady experience, and Sethuram revelled in it. Where did you learn palm reading?(Reveals a […] - [Bangalore’s Own Taj Mahal](https://zahidjavali.com/bangalores-own-taj-mahal/): For ITI employee Muniyappa (51), Gowramma was more than a wife. She was the motivating force and, as he says tearfully, “she was the Goddess who transformed me from a wayward alcoholic to a responsible family man. A person who gave new meaning to our married life. I swore by her love.” And as if to test his love for her, Gowramma had once jokingly asked him, “How will you show your love for me after I am dead?” “I’ll build the Taj Mahal in your memory,” he had said fiercely to her then. Someone up there seemed to like the […] - [Meet a pilot](https://zahidjavali.com/meet-a-pilot/): PS Arora (45) wanted to become a doctor. But destiny had other plans for him and today, he is a pilot. Flying for Indian Airlines over the past 10 years, Arora is a happy man. This writer caught up with him at Computer Shop on Brigade Road in Bangalore where he was hunting for game CDs. How did you become an airline pilot? I wanted to become a doctor but couldn’t get through the qualifying exam. Then, I joined the NCC Wing in Delhi University where I was selected (as one of the 10 best cadets) for a 60 hour aviation […] - [A swamiji who sees the future, heals people and smokes beedis](https://zahidjavali.com/a-swamiji-who-sees-the-future-heals-people-and-smokes-beedis/): Sai Sethuram (58) has spent most of his life on the pavements of Bangalore’s Kamaraj Road, providing balm for both the body and soul of people who stop to seek his counsel. His ‘office’ is under a tree in the car park and for the past twenty years, he has read palms and dispensed traditional Indian medicine. When this writer approached him, perhaps seeing opportunity, Sethuram immediately demanded Rs 1,000. But fairly soon, he settled down to speak about himself. Talking about one’s self can be a heady experience, and Sethuram revelled in it. Where did you learn palm reading? (Reveals […] - [Online scams](https://zahidjavali.com/online-scams/): These are scams you are likely to see on the Internet. Be aware and avoid them like the plague. Business opportunities scams: These offers make it sound like it is very easy to start a business that will earn piles of money without much work, selling or cash. Many of these “opportunities” are actually illegal pyramid schemes that are masquerading as legitimate opportunities to earn money. Make money by sending bulk email: These solicitations offer to sell you bulk email lists (consisting of millions of email addresses), spam software (usually very poor in quality), or services to send spam on your […] - [You can be ‘International Man (or Woman) of the Millennium’ for a few dollars more!](https://zahidjavali.com/you-can-be-international-man-or-woman-of-the-millennium-for-a-few-dollars-more/): In my 12 years in journalism, this 1999 story on the scams perpetrated by the American Biographical Institute, stands out… Sadly, this scam continues to happen till date though the frequency is much less now. Here is an extract from my 1999 report for a weekly tabloid called “Bangalore Weekly”: Do you want to become the International Man (or woman) of the Millennium? If you have US $245 for a ‘Warrant of Proclamation’ you needn’t bother with achievement and accomplishment. Just send an international money order or a Eurocheque to the institute and they’ll send you a citation announcing your selection […] - [Now it’s ‘RDX’ and ‘AK 47’ Jeans!](https://zahidjavali.com/now-its-rdx-and-ak-47-jeans/): Shoot them dead with your look. Remember a garment company called Viagra, that ‘stood up’ in the market with shirts for men. What’s in a name, you may ask. Plenty, says Shekhar (320 who owns Jeans Sequence in Alankar Pearl Plaza on KG Road. “I’ve named the jeans ‘AK 47’ and ‘RDX’.  Names like these connect with the masses. Muslims buy these jeans because they like the sound of the names. Hindus buy the jeans because they are fans of Shivarajkumar, hero of the film AK 47. I sell 25-30 pieces every day. Business has picked up well. These jeans are […] - [Bangalore's sperm bank needs more donors](https://zahidjavali.com/bangalores-sperm-bank-needs-more-donors/): At Bangalore’s famous sperm bank, demand far exceeds supply. The thirteen-year-old Cryo Bank in Jayanagar has been approached by childless couples from politicians to scientists, film stars and CEOs of big companies, all of whom have one objective. A child to complete the picture of domestic bliss. Cryo Bank officials say these couples insist that their offspring comes from the finest gene pool available. The qualities they seek are: fair complexion, good looks and intelligence. As a result the sperm bank will not accept samples unless the donor has a post graduate degree. “No PUC or under graduate students,” they say. […] - [Grandfather clock in Bangalore](https://zahidjavali.com/grandfather-clock-in-bangalore/): Old Poor House Rd, near Commercial St, is where you will find one of the oldest working clocks in the city. On a wall in the Jumma Masjid is a clock that has been keeping time since 1907. It was presented to the mosque by M. Yousuff Sait, one of Bangalore’s only watchmakers at that time. This pendulum clock, manufactured in New York by Ansonia, tolls every half-hour. Sait maintained the clock himself, winding it every Friday after the noon prayers. On his death in 1948, his son, Z. Yousuff Sait took over the routine and has continued since. The clock […] - [Do it yourself tips](https://zahidjavali.com/do-it-yourself-tips/): Here are a few vignettes I came across that I find extremely handy. Try them out. * Your tools will stay corrosion-free if you apply automobile paste wax on the steel parts. * Some chalk pieces and a few moth balls in the tool box will keep moisture away. * Sticky drawers, in tables, cupboards, cabinets? Run a candle over the grooves, they will glide. * Fishing line is good for re-stringing your beads. It won’t break and it is flexible and easy to thread. * Planning to get your house painted? You can banish the smell of paint by adding […] - [Top books of 1999](https://zahidjavali.com/top-books-of-1999/): Business @ The Speed of Thought Bill Gates / Tech / Rs 856.80 The world’s biggest geek strikes again. And this book, like all the books written by those who became rich, will be bought in large numbers by those who want to become rich. “Business…” states its premise in the opening sentence itself, which reads, ‘Business is going to change in the next ten years more than it has in the last fifty’. But a quick read through suggests that this more a sentiment that a well-organised plan of action for change. It also has little relevance for India, where […] - [>It's a profession of half truths: Astrologer](https://zahidjavali.com/its-a-profession-of-half-truths-astrologer/): >Govind Swamy (22) chucked up his job of fixing scooters in favour of fixing people’s minds and spirits instead. He is a soothsayer, a fortune teller, a man with a vision. Equipped with face-reading skills he claims to have learned when he was 12, for the past eleven months he has plunged headlong into the future. That is, other people’s futures. Swamy uses a combination of face reading, palmistry and gili shastra (parrot astrology) every Saturday at the junction of Byappanahalli Main Rd and Old Madras Road in Bangalore. On other days, he pounds the sidewalks of Bangalore in search of […] - [>FREE astrology for you!](https://zahidjavali.com/free-astrology-for-you/): > One look at your star sign and you know how uncanny this is. Read, enjoy and also work at minimising your weaknesses and building on your strengths. Astrology can be useful to you, so make the most of it. ARIES – The Aggressive Outgoing. Lovable. Spontaneous. Not one to mess with. Funny. Excellent kisser EXTREMELY adorable. Loves relationships, and family is very important to an aries. Aries are known for being generous and giving. Addictive. Loud. Always has the need to be ‘Right’. Aries will argue to prove their point for hours and hours. Aries are some of the most […] - [Top Ten Bollywood films to watch out for!](https://zahidjavali.com/bollywood-films-to-watch-out-for/): I am eagerly looking forward to SRK’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi slated for December 12, 2008. Directed by the magical Aditya Chopra, his first outing as director in ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ was mythical (a theatre in Mumbai is still playing one show of the film for the last ten years – an all-time record). The other films to watch out for include: 1. Ace director Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion on October 29, 2008 2. Subhash Ghai directed Yuvvraaj starring the real life pair of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif – slated for November 21, 2008 3. Star director Nagesh Kukunoor’s […] - [Akshay Kumar vs Shah Rukh Khan!](https://zahidjavali.com/akshay-kumar-vs-shah-rukh-khan/): It’s official. Akshay Kumar is Kinng! And so is King Khan! Both have managed to command a price of Rs 9 crore as male Bollywood leads till date. So who will topple whom? My bet is that both will do well in the near and distant future. However,  I believe that Akki will be a ‘lambi race ka ghoda’ and SRK might do fewer films than him in the near future. And so long as Akki has Katrina Kaif playing his female lead in films, his films will give him a brand equity he can be proud of. And he knows […] - [Himesh Reshammiya loses his shine; Hello rocks!](https://zahidjavali.com/himesh-reshammiya-loses-his-shine-hello-rocks/): Karzzzz is a flop despite the fact that it was numerologically accurate – with 4 Zs to draw the audience into the theatres. Sadly, none of the powers above appreciated this gesture and music composer turned singer turned actor Himesh Reshammiya has a flop on his hands. it shocked everyone with a bad opening of 35% in multiplexes though a few single screens in Gujarat, UP, Bihar and Rajasthan recorded 80% attendance on its first weekend. But on the whole, industry bigwigs predict that if the film sustains this low attendance, it could be yet another Eid disaster after Abhishek Bachchan’s […] - [11 ways to beat stress](https://zahidjavali.com/11-ways-to-beat-stress/): Bangalore-based stress consultant Dr Malathi, formerly with Manipal Hospital, has some simple techniques to cope with stress-related obesity: 1. Learn the right breathing techniques: Breathing exercises are very effective for stress and they help you to lose weight and increase concentration; reduces depression and increases a sense of feel-good. 2. Self hypnosis: When you keep suggesting to your brain that all’s well and there’s no need to get stressed over trivial things, it becomes an effective tool. However, in case of obesity its importance becomes more pronounced. It helps you to overcome depression, it helps you to eat less and makes […] - [>The many secrets of handwriting analysis](https://zahidjavali.com/the-many-secrets-of-handwriting-analysis/): >Taking a second look at people’s handwriting is 27-year-old Kiran Divate’s pastime. And then, when you realise much of what you analyse is bang on target, it doesn’t remain a hobby anymore. So even while he was moonlighting for Citibank as a marketing executive, Divate studied the character of the person before approaching him for business. It all began when he came across a special issue of Readers’ Digest eleven years ago. “It had a special supplement on handwriting analysis and that got me working,” says Divate, who has become something of an expert now. Divate zeroes in on one’s character […] - [>How to heal yourself!](https://zahidjavali.com/how-to-heal-yourself-2/): >Famous Indian astrologer Lalitha Aiyar has the following bit of advice for people belonging to different zodiac signs. They are not only uncanny, but if you heed your advice, you could navigate life much more comfortably. Aries: Control your tempers. Relax. Meditate. Taurus: Spend more. Don’t be too conservative. Make fitness your mantra. Gemini: Bring out your feelings. Don’t suppress them. Wear green for luck. Cancer: Don’t be too sensitive. Watch your stomach. Control your diet. Leo: Be balanced. Your sunny personality will shine with yellow and off-white. Get off the couch. Virgo: Have feelings for others. Don’t be too obsessed […] - [>What the cards foretell](https://zahidjavali.com/what-the-cards-foretell/): >Tarot cards is the fix for brains that have trouble figuring out the future. They are uncanny, whether you like it or not. Take Lalitha Aiyar who disarms you with her candour. “I like Islam more than other religions because you have no one image of God – You can go anywhere and the God follows you – it’s this concept of universal God that makes it such a great religion,” says the cancerian. And what’s the definitive trait of her zodiac sign? “Most have a strong intuition and largely live by it.” The 49-year-old tarot reader, astrologer and numerologist should […] - [>Self healing](https://zahidjavali.com/self-healing/): >For years, I used to pity people who were into self-help books (which meant most of America). Until Betty Shine happened. There I was browsing for more than an hour at Sankars Book Stall when my eye picked out her book, Mind Magic. Maybe it was the jacket blurb. Maybe it was my age – I had just turned 30. Maybe it’s a bit of all this, but the fact is it was a fortunate accident. The next few days stretched my mind. Shine says that we are energy beings first. Without our energy counterpart of the physical body, we would […] - [>The Sixth Sense](https://zahidjavali.com/the-sixth-sense/): >Inverting the argument until the truth falls out of its pockets. That’s what a reporter is supposed to do. Which is exactly what I found myself doing the other day, rather informally, when my brother reported that he chatted with an Irish youngster who claimed he could read people’s minds. I didn’t believe it at first. But when my brother gave me instances of how the Irishman uncannily predicted everything that my brother was and wasn’t, I decided to check on Mr Know-All and see if there was a story in it after all. I logged on and added him as […] - [>She can see tomorrow](https://zahidjavali.com/she-can-see-tomorrow-2/): >”She’s beautiful and her tarot reading is uncanny.” These eight words by the head of an ad agency led me to meet Madhushree. She was 23 going on 24, but the wisdom she dispenses is that of a granny’s: from ‘tarot’s taught me to live life looking at the brighter side’ to ‘you can change your destiny’ to ‘your mind can see everything’. This seeming disconnect was rationalised by her mother Dr Prabha N Wadiyar who also practices astrology from her home in Malleswaram, Bangalore: “When I conceived her, I had a vision of an elderly Tibetan lady tugging at my […] - [>Handwriting analysis, anyone?](https://zahidjavali.com/handwriting-analysis-anyone/): >Handwriting Analysis can identify your sub-conscious and conscious personality traits, says Clarissa Tiara, part of the Handwriting Guru Customer Support Team at HandwritingUniversityIndia.com. She does not stop there. Read on… These traits relate to your behavior, motivations, sexuality, ambitions, and other personality variations. It can also tell you about your ambition, the fears that you’ve suffered and developed since childhood, emotions, as well as current feelings and frustration at the time of the writing sample. Many people wonder why handwriting analysis is so accurate despite the fact their handwriting seems to “change all the time.” While it is true that handwriting […] - [Welcome to Sajjanpur at the London Film Festival](https://zahidjavali.com/welcome-to-sajjanpur-at-the-london-film-festival/): In today’s times, good efforts are rewarded in record time. Take the brand new film, Welcome to Sajjanpur. The Shyam Benegal film about a simpleton trying to turn novelist, is so well made and yet so simplistically, that the film has won the attention of none other than the British Film Institute. The film is now being shown at the London Film Festival. Congrats, Benegal. Congrats, Shreyas Talpade and Amrita Rao! For more on Bollywood, visit my film-based blog: The Bollywood Fix! - [Bollywood needs more worthy Miss Indias](https://zahidjavali.com/bollywood-needs-more-worthy-miss-indias/): Time was when Miss Indias were pretty as a picture and complemented Bollywood completely. Neat, clean, well-groomed, and quite a joy to behold. But over the years, and particularly after 2000, the quality of Miss Indias have come down and this year is no different. No matter what others say about beauty contests being personality contests, I firmly believe that they are largely about looks. Because if it were brains that they were looking for, then they may as well have started quizzing contests, IQ tests and what not. But no, they have started beauty contests where contestants are made to […] - [Match-fixing in cricket is alive and well](https://zahidjavali.com/match-fixing-in-cricket-is-alive-and-well/): Agreed, the Vikram Bhat-directed film Jannat, which has its premise on match fixing, could have been better. But then, it’s a love story with match fixing just as a backdrop. And as it is, the film is engaging enough. However, its Engage Quotient could have been several notches higher if it had uncovered several intricacies involving the plague affecting one and all… even now i feel many cricket matches are being regularly fixed for greater gain. How else can you explain a world-beating team like Australia fall for Kenya in the World Cup preliminaries? There’s definitely more to it than meets […] - [Ajay Devgan's directorial debut disappoints](https://zahidjavali.com/ajay-devgans-directorial-debut-disappoints/): The other day, I watched Ajay Devgan’s first directorial venture, U Me Aur Hum. Unlike many favourable media reports and the box office collections (“Average”), I was mighty disappointed. The first five minutes usually tell me if i would like the movie or pan it. This one didn’t tickle me at any point in its two-and-a-half-hour spiel. The movie lacked the emotional quotient that could have sent my tear glands into over drive. The story is about a happy-go-lucky guy falling dropdead in love with a girl on a cruise and even marrying her. But later, his love is tested when […] - [The magic of Om Shanti Om!](https://zahidjavali.com/the-magic-of-om-shanti-om/): The title just about sums up the little bit of suspense that envelops SRK’s latest starrer. Ofcourse, the storyline has now been told a million times on our promotional TV channels and newspapers/magazines, so I will skip that. But what I will tell you are the following: 1. Shah Rukh Khan: His screen presence can leave any novice wishing he had one. Dress him up in the worse shirt and trouser, and he will still get many heads to turn. Get him to mouth all the clichés in the world, and he will still deliver a superhit like it has happened […] - [My encounter with Raveena Tandon's 'beau'](https://zahidjavali.com/my-encounter-with-raveena-tandons-beau/): I saw him the first time with Raveena Tandon at Windsor Sheraton’s Jolly Nabobs. It was the premiere of Arjun Sajnani’s film Agni Varsha. I didn’t know the guy sitting next to Tandon was Samir Singh, who took the place of Mark Mascarenhas at WorldTel. A few days later, a chance telephonic conversation with Prasad Bidapa, and I realised who Singh was, and immediately fixed a meeting with him. It was a holiday for his 10-member team at his apartment office in Indiranagar. He lived on the same lane, and one ring on his cell and he was at his office […] - [The many faces of Bollywood](https://zahidjavali.com/the-many-faces-of-bollywood/): Here are some more luminaries who stood out during the course of my journalistic career spanning a little more than 12 years. Karan Johar, filmmaker: This was at the launch of his film, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. I asked him when he cried for the very first time in a cinema hall. “When Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn part ways in the film Roman Holiday,” said the 29-year-old filmmaker. “Now of course, I first think a lot, then cry and then laugh.” Suneet Varma, designer: He exploded on to the Delhi fashion scene more than a decade ago with his show-stopping […] - [Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par at the Oscars](https://zahidjavali.com/aamir-khans-taare-zameen-par-at-the-oscars/): I am glad Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par made it as India’s official entry to the Oscars. And unlike his previous Oscar entry, Lagaan, this film isn’t that long and neither do the songs seem out of place. So he doesn’t have to remove the songs to appease the Oscar jury this time, because they are an integral part of the film and carry the story forward. And that is indeed the art of filmmaking. Every frame needs to be accountable and yet be a commercial film all the way. No Man’s Land (which won ‘best foreign film’ Oscar) had it […] - ['A Wednesday' for the bored Bollywood movie buff!](https://zahidjavali.com/a-wednesday-for-the-bored-bollywood-movie-buff/): Frenetic, racy, and extremely focussed, Bollywood’s latest release ‘A Wednesday’ plays to the gallery. The Naseeruddin Shah starrer film also has a social message and that is what takes it from the purely commercial to a film with a heart in the right place. Watch it and you will know what I mean. But don’t expect it to be some offbeat art cinema that isn’t entertaining. Far from it. It’s entertaining from the moment you see Naseeruddin Shah planting a bag inside the police station facing the police commissioner’s office. Yes, you guessed it right. It’s a film on how a […] - [Khuda Ke Liye works!](https://zahidjavali.com/khuda-ke-liye-works/): Entertainment knows no barriers. What’s more, if done right it can bring two war-torn nations closer. That’s what has happened today. The critically-acclaimed Pakistani film, Khuda Ke Liye, is being screened from today in Indian theatres. This is the first time a Pakistani film has been released in India after 43 years. Quite a feat. With this move, Indians will get to sample the best of the Pakistan film industry and vice versa. Already, Bollywood blockbuster films like Welcome and Taare Zameen Par have been released in Pakistan. Now, it’s the turn of India to return the favour. And what best […] - [Sinng is no king!](https://zahidjavali.com/sinng-is-no-king/): The results are out. The Akshay Kumar Bollywood film, Singh is Kinng, raked in Rs 57.75 crore in 10 days at the domestic box office and has been declared a blockbuster both in India and overseas. In Delhi/UP, East Punjab and Rajasthan, the film is continuing to do well with trade reports claiming “super strong collections”. Some reports even claim that the second weekend collections were even better at places than the first week of record-breaking blockbusters like Shah Rukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om and Hrithik Roshan’s Dhoom 2. I have watched all the three films, and I still feel that […] - ['chemical locha' and Nanhe Jaisalmer!](https://zahidjavali.com/chemical-locha-and-nanhe-jaisalmer/): When I was a kid, i used to look forward to the annual international children’s film festival. Today, children are the most ignored. Both by their parents and by the filmmakers. In this scenario, when Makdee, Hanuman (whose sequel Hanuman Returns is about to be released) and My Friend Ganesha become box office successes, it makes me happy because this could nudge other filmmakers to make many more children’s films. While Aamir Khan’s new film, Taare Zameen Par, isn’t really a children’s film, it’s about children. Hope this sparks interest in making the world of children a much better place to […] - [Shyam Benegal and Shreyas Talpade excel in 'Welcome to Sajjanpur'](https://zahidjavali.com/shyam-benegal-and-shreyas-talpade-excel-in-welcome-to-sajjanpur/): Shyam Benagal’s first commercial Bollywood comedy, Welcome To Sajjanpur, might well go on to do good business at the Box Office. Released only yesterday, the film has already received many positive reports and could beat the other comedy films released at the same time: the low-budgeted Hulla (Rs 1.25 cr) and the Warner Bros first Hindi film, Saas Bahu Aus Sensex that has received mixed reactions. I am all for Welcome to Sajjanpur, because it’s a film set in a small town populated with interesting characters that make up the whole film. In fact, the film is nothing but a character […] - [Farhan Akhtar's Rock On! concert in Bangalore](https://zahidjavali.com/farhan-akhtars-rock-on-concert-in-bangalore/): Rock On, the Farhan Akhtar-produced and acted Bollywood film is going great guns! Though, I haven’t seen the film, reports from my musically-inclined friends say it’s a movie not to be missed. What’s more, to make the most of the Box Office moolah that is pouring in, the producers have already held Rock On! concerts in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi and are now planning to hold it in Bangalore. What a way to ensure a repeat crowd for their film. But more than that, what I like is their commitment to rock music. Here are people who truly believe in what […] - [Top 5 gadgets of September!](https://zahidjavali.com/top-5-gadgets-of-september/): 160GB PS3 Rs 22,500 Size does matter. Atleast to Sony that is releasing a 160GB PS3 in November, which is double the size of the existing model PS3. However, it’s limited-edition. Therefore, book yours now. This new PS3 will include the rumble-ized DualShock 3 controller and two games: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Pain. This is a Core model with a bigger hard drive, so no built-in flash card reader, no backward compatibility with PS2 games. The addition of the 160GB model comes as the 40GB Core PS3 is being replaced by an 80GB Core model–meaning anyone buying the entry-level PS3 will […] - [Top 4 sports films](https://zahidjavali.com/top-4-sports-films/): CINDERELLA MAN 145 mins, 2005. Director: Ron Howard Evocative, manipulative and yet so simplistic, the unwavering script and screen portrayals bludgeon you into submission. Director Ron Howard’s movie skilfully delivers that primal, heart-pounding satisfaction that is the promise of all boxing tales. An excellent drama that relies on heart and action instead of schmaltz and melodrama. The fight scenes have a stinging authenticity and, although at 144 minutes it outstays its welcome, this is Howard’s best film since Apollo 13. Superbly edited, beautifully shot, sensitively acted, and with fantastic grit and texture. Based on the life of athlete Jim Braddock, a […] - [Best posts of 2007-08](https://zahidjavali.com/best-posts-of-2007-08/): The Z Files completed one year of its existence this month. I thank you all for making this happen. As a thank you, i give to you top THREE posts that got the maximum attention from my online readers… Here they are… Happy reading! 1. My five best comedy films 2. The life and times of Vijay Mallya 3. Will Apple recall iPhone 3G - [Top 4 movies to see before you die!](https://zahidjavali.com/top-4-movies-to-see-before-you-die/): APOCALYPSE NOW 1979, 155 mins. Director: Francis Ford Coppola No film has depicted the fiasco in Vietnam in more mythic form than Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. Apocalyse Now is one of the most amazing pieces of celluloid ever produced, capturing not only the ugliness and ridiculousness of Vietnam, but exposing the dark heart of man as well. Coppola’s film is timeless – the setting may change but the wars and the plight of soldiers will remain the same. Alternately a brilliant and bizarre film, Francis Coppola’s four year ‘work in progress’ offers the definitive validation to the old saying, ‘war […] - [How much do you know your mobile phone?](https://zahidjavali.com/how-much-do-you-know-your-mobile-phone/): While radio-type mobile phones have been in use since the 1940s, Motorola invented the first modern mobile phone for handheld use in 1973. In Japan, cell phones can also be used as credit and/or debit cards. You can also use them to check in at airports. You can even take a swim with a waterproof phone. The first recorded text message was sent from Neil Papworth to Richard Jarvis on December 3, 1992; it said, “Merry Christmas”. The ‘special’ tone available to users of Nokia phones when receiving text messages is actually Morse code for ‘SMS’. In Malaysia, a man may […] - [Some wooden facts!](https://zahidjavali.com/some-wooden-facts/): The wood industry is as old as the hills. But it is still something we cannot do without. Therefore, it is but important to know a few interesting things about the whys and wherefores of the wood industry. Here are just a few to get you started. • A generic cord of wood can be used to make 12 dining room table sets, 30 rocking chairs, 250 copies of the Sunday New York Times, 942 one-pound books, 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of paper, 1,200 copies of National Geographic magazine, 2,700 copies of an average (36 page) daily newspaper, 4,000 one-gallon milk containers, […] - [Toys R us](https://zahidjavali.com/toys-r-us/): Here is some trivia I gathered on toys. In just a few lines, you get to learn the history of toymaking in the world and how it has come to influence us all our lives. Read on… All G.I. Joe 12-inch action figures have a scar on their right cheek and an inverted thumbnail on the inside of their left thumb in honour of a production error made years ago. The first video arcade game was Pong, introduced by Atari in 1972. The yo-yo which means ‘come come’ is believed to be the second-oldest toy in the world after dolls. Tinkertoys […] - [Computing conundrums!](https://zahidjavali.com/computing-conundrums/): Computers have changed the way we live today. And much of this began way back in 1979 – which isn’t too long ago. But within three decades, it has become almost a part of our working DNA. Here are some Did You Knows that you might not be privy to. If nothing else, it is interesting trivia that you can boast of when you get together with friends and family. • An AMD 1400 chip running without a heatsink gets as hot as 370 degrees. • When Seagate first introduced the HDD for PCs in 1979, it merely held 5 MB of data. […] - [Founder of Technorati has 15 rules for entrepreneurs](https://zahidjavali.com/founder-of-technorati-has-15-rules-for-entrepreneurs/): David Sifry is a serial entrepreneur, best known for founding Technorati.com, the blog searching and rating engine that recently acquired blogcritics.org, an online magazine for the writing and reading community. Way back in 2002, Sifry had penned down 15 RULES FOR ENTREPRENEURS on his blog. Make the most of each. They ring so true and can apply to anyone in the world. Good luck! Rule # 15. Never fear mistakes. 14. There are no dumb questions. 13. Serendipity is your friend. 12. Know yourself. 11. Know your customer. Listen. 10. Know your competition. 9. Vision is easy. Execution is hard. 8. […] - [Coffee and some conversation!](https://zahidjavali.com/coffee-and-some-conversation/): Coffee shops have become ubiquitous around the world. What better way to know some history about them than now… so here are some interesting anecdotes that depict the coffee world in a new light. Coffee was first known in Europe as Arabian Wine. Milk as an additive to coffee became popular in the 1680’s, when a French physician recommended that cafe au lait be used for medicinal purposes. Bach wrote a coffee cantata in 1732 The heavy tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773, which caused the “Boston Tea Party,” resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. Drinking coffee […] - [Have feet, will travel!](https://zahidjavali.com/have-feet-will-travel/): Not many of us know the way footwear has become such an integral part of our lives. One peek into the history of the footwear industry and you will come away with a few interesting observations good enough to be coffeetable conversation for a good part of the weekend. Happy reading! * During the reign of Henry VIII, soles reaching six and a half inches wide were common. * Early man, in warmer climates, invented the sandal by strapping a mat of woven grass, a strip of animal hide, or a slab of flat wood to his feet with ‘thongs’ he […] - [Writers guide](https://zahidjavali.com/writers-wanted-worldwide/): Here are a few useful websites that could help writers, editors, playwrights, movie scriptwriters and what have you… if you strike gold with any of these, do write to me about your success story and i will be too happy to publish your tales here. Script Submissions Have you written a great script, but can’t get industry professionals to read it? Stop being frustrated by agents, personal managers and studio gatekeepers slamming the door in your face. Film Literary Group will directly submit your screenplay to independent production companies, looking to buy and produce new scripts. For more information about their submission policy, […] - [Mission: Possible - Delivery in top gear](https://zahidjavali.com/mission-possible-delivery-in-top-gear/): Θ PART OF A SERIES ON EXTRAORDINARY DELIVERIES Θ There were challenges aplenty. There was a stiff deadline to be met. There was a fragile package that had to be flown under specified conditions. And then, there were all those uncertainties associated with any out-of-the-box deliveries. Which is why, this became a perfect recipe for yet another extraordinary consignment meriting an eye-opening story. When the research and development team of a major multinational car maker in India sought a multinational logistics company, they agreed readily because they thrived on such deliveries. Their job was to deliver a consignment to Japan in […] - [E-commerce, anyone?](https://zahidjavali.com/e-commerce-anyone/): E-commerce, online commerce or online trading is one and the same thing. And it’s truly becoming a part of our daily lives much more than ever before. Before you sing paens of praise, how about some trivia to get us even more moved by its overwhelming influence? Without further ado, here goes… The first e-commerce transaction happened on Aug 11, 1994 when NetMarket sold Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales for $12.48. The German police recently arrested a man for stealing more than one million screws from his employers and selling them on the Internet. Since the birth of the Internet, thousands of […] - [Mission: Possible](https://zahidjavali.com/mission-possible/): From today, I begin a series of blog posts on how courier companies brave all odds and help in on-time deliveries of some really out-of-the-box consignments. Here goes my very first piece in this series. Do visit the blog regularly for more of these case histories… It was a mission that required meticulous planning and a total control of operations. One thing out of place and the whole exercise could have gone up in smoke even before it could begin. It was yet another out-of-the-box scenario that stared courier companies in the eye. The assignment was to transport two giant pandas […] - [Travelscape doesn't pay!](https://zahidjavali.com/travelscape-doesnt-pay/): Writers beware! Travelscape, the national travel magazine based out of Bangalore, doesn’t pay its contributors. I have experienced it myself and so has a friend of mine. They haven’t paid for over 6 months now. When I threatened to go public (after all, no one can mess with the Press), magazine CEO Srinivas Rao Mandekar shot back an email saying that he doesn’t like being intimidated and that he has instructed his accounts department to process my payments within a week. But it has been over two months since he said that, and I am yet to see him make good […] - [Shake your booty and party!](https://zahidjavali.com/shake-your-booty-and-party/): It has photography so good, you could hang it in an art gallery — but so sexy, you’ll be glad you can see it at home. Big ones, nice ones, sexy ones, natural ones, Bustyful celebrates the female breast. It is devoted to the finest in fine art nude and erotic photography and therefore has shutterbugs contributing from around the world. What’s more, if you are a photographer or model, you could submit and show off your favourite photos of mammaries to the world. - [Have Nerve? Will survive!](https://zahidjavali.com/have-nerve-will-survive/): ‘She’s a dark pool and the ripples move out. Between her gold hoops and her round hips, she’s a miracle of circles.’ These are how stories are written on nerve.com, the thinking man’s erotica. Don’t mistake this for a porn site. There are personal stories that range from a guy’s night out in Nebraska’s most terrifying love nest to how a guy learned to embrace his girlfriend’s ridiculous religion. Not to mention, a compilation of top steamy videos that made us sweat – from Billy Idol to David Bowie, Madonna to Shakira, Poison to Prince. The best of all? Nerve Personals. […] - [Are you a Page 3?](https://zahidjavali.com/are-you-a-page-3/): Remember The Sun tabloid? If you do, then you also remember that its most famous Page 3 that carries full frontal views of booty-full women. Now, this site (http://page3.com) is the online version of just this page and a lot more. You get to see a lot many babes all at the same time and from the comfort of your computer. Not only that. You get to see all the Page 3 photo shoot videos for added effect. And the best part of the site? Their freely downloadable desktop theme. Page 3’s sexy Keeley Hazell will ease you through your day, […] - [What's your cum face?](https://zahidjavali.com/whats-your-cum-face/): This may be the most erotic thing you have ever seen, yet the only nudity it contains is from the neck up. That’s where people are truly naked. The videos were made in private by the contributor (and sometimes their partner). Make your ears blush by putting on your headphones and turning the sound to eleven. I am referring to http://beautifulagony.com. There are five free samples you can ogle at before signing up for a few dollars. New videos are posted five times a week. And they all have sound. In addition, their ‘Overkill’ videos section has interesting snippets, interviews and […] - [Hindu fundamentalism vs Islamic terrorism](https://zahidjavali.com/hindu-fundamentalism-vs-islamic-terrorism/): Dirty politics have always been the bane of every nation. In the earlier days, dictators ruled. Today, our elected representatives rule over us with impunity, and some do it in full public view. But what is most infuriarating is that they all go scotfree because the law enforcing machinery is in their grip. The same is the story with Hindu fundamentalism and the so-called Islamic terrorism in India. The best case scenario in recent times that indicts the BJP/RSS/Bajrang Dal political factions is the Delhi High Court ruling that the ban on SIMI (Students’ Islamic Movement of India) be withdrawn as […] - [Naked anchors reading out the latest news!](https://zahidjavali.com/naked-anchors-reading-out-the-latest-news/): Sorry, if you already know about this one. But I had to mention it, because what stumps me is that this website has been around for almost eight years now. Which means, this method of delivering news has got a readership all of its own. I am referring to www.nakednews.com. What started off as a major distraction in the dotcom boom days not only managed to survive the dotcom bust but is actually going great guns till today. So what is the secret of Naked News? The fact that the news anchors shed their clothes and show off their vital assets […] - [Singh is Kinng fails me](https://zahidjavali.com/singh-is-kinng-fails-me/): The results are out. The Akshay Kumar Bollywood film, Singh is Kinng, raked in Rs 57.75 crore in 10 days at the domestic box office and has been declared a blockbuster both in India and overseas. In Delhi/UP, East Punjab and Rajasthan, the film is continuing to do well with trade reports claiming “super strong collections”. Some reports even claim that the second weekend collections were even better at places than the first week of record-breaking blockbusters like Shah Rukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om and Hrithik Roshan’s Dhoom 2.  I have watched all the three films, and I still feel that […] - [Impossible is indeed nothing and Phelps leads the way!](https://zahidjavali.com/impossible-is-indeed-nothing-and-phelps-leads-the-way/): With eight golds, Michael Phelps will go down in world history as the greatest Olympian we’ve ever had so far. Crossing Mark Spitz’s record of 7 golds by an individual, Phelps is truly the poster boy of the New Age era. Not because he’s good at sports, but because he’s sending out one important message that will always be cherished and valued for all time to come: thinking positive and making it to the top through sheer imagination. Take his winning line after he won his eighth gold: “The biggest thing is nothing is impossible. With so many people saying it […] - [Will every car be a hybrid by 2020?](https://zahidjavali.com/will-every-car-be-a-hybrid-by-2020/): A recent report on automobiles by the IBM Institute for Business Value concludes that every car will have some form of hybridisation by 2020. While I like all this tech talk on how cars are going to talk to each other and ensure that they don’t collide and put our life in jeopardy, I am not sure if hybrids it will be in the near future. For starters, I am not sure every vehicle will be a hybrid in 12 years time, because this hybrid talk itself has been around for more than 20 years now. There’s this talk about OPEC […] - [You have to wait longer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince](https://zahidjavali.com/you-have-to-wait-longer-for-harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince/): It’s official. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will not be released in November 2008 as was announced earlier. It’s been delayed by over eight months. The next release date is July 2009. Agreed, you have waited for more than a year for the next installment. But now, that wait has only grown longer. There are primarily two reasons for this one from what I can imagine: 1. They want it to be a summer release because the producers, Warner Brothers, have got more greedy and want to milk the ‘summer blockbuster’ season like never before and thereby create new box office […] - [Red Bull may not be good for you](https://zahidjavali.com/red-bull-may-not-be-good-for-you/): I have long suspected the endurance promised by energy drinks. With the recent US study on Red Bull, my suspicions have acquired wings. Sure, the energy drink may “give you wings” but it’s not good for those with heart disease. What’s more, if reports are to be believed, it’s not good for anyone who mixes it up with alcohol. There’s something wrong with these batch of drinks. There’s too much caffeine (80% of it) and then there’s Taurine, an Amino Acid derivative which when combined with Caffeine gives endurance while exercising. But then, it affects those who show even slight symptoms […] - [Has Michael Phelps doped?](https://zahidjavali.com/has-michael-phelps-doped/): Sure, he’s got two flat feet and his action is similar to dolphins who happen to be the fastest swimmers in the aquatic world. But pray, is that all? Is Michael Phelps winning gold medals merely because of his physical abnormality or does it also have to do with performance-enhancing drugs? I am not a naysayer, so I don’t intend to go there. But then, when someone comes up with even a suggestion like that, I intend to discuss it threadbare. Here is why i think Phelps hasn’t doped: 1. His own public pronouncement that he hasn’t doped is no good. […] - [Bangalore: The city of the future](https://zahidjavali.com/bangalore-the-city-of-the-future/): Home to the largest concentration of expatriates in any Indian city, this is indeed the “united colours of Bangalore”.   Multitudes of skin colours, facial features, styles of dressing, languages – it’s all here, in this city of all play and all work. What makes this place so appealing? For starters, its culture of acceptance and welcoming weather. Even if it’s the peak of summer, cool breeze is ensured because of its location at 919m above sea level. It’s a place where you feel cut off from India and yet a part of it. If the central business district (MG Road and […] - [Will Apple recall iphone 3G?](https://zahidjavali.com/will-apple-recall-iphone-3g/): News is out that the much-touted iPhone 3G isn’t really manna from heaven. Users from New York to Stockholm and even India have reported that they are suffering from dropped calls as soon as they move from a 3G network to something that isn’t. Experts say that this could be the chipset in the handset that is responsible for network transfer. Apple says there’s a software fix and users can just go online and get this done through iTunes. But if the software fix doesn’t work, will Apple recall all iPhones? That’s a question begging for an answer. As of now, […] - [Abhinav Bindra@theOlympics!](https://zahidjavali.com/abhinav-bindratheolympics/): Abhinav Bindra’s air pistol gold at the Olympics has made every Indian proud! But I have my quibbles. Do we really have a nationalistic character? Do we really stand up for someone talented and give him all the financial backing he needs to be a world beater? Take Bindra. His father spent crores of rupees to give him the best international equipment. And it was only in 2000-01 that the government feted Bindra with a Khel Ratna award that carried Rs 10 lakh. Since then, Bindra has got almost Rs 1 crore from the government. But his, is an isolated case. […] - [Writers wanted nationwide](https://zahidjavali.com/writers-wanted-nationwide/): Hello guys and gurlz! I am now part of a new publishing house based in Bangalore that is in urgent need of feature writers, both full-time and part-time. People with or without experience, but with a good command of English, and a flair for writing beautiful prose, can apply with samples of their writing (published or unpublished). The email ID is: emailthisjournalist at gmail dot com. Please note that writers need to be Bangalore-based or willing to settle down here for this position. They would be working for a fortnightly travel and shopping guide where their job is to review hotels, […] - [Ethical hacking, anyone?](https://zahidjavali.com/learn-ethical-hacking-from-an-expert/): First things first, hacking is perceived to be a dirty word. Well, there are two sides to it. There’s the good and the bad and I am on the side of good: ethical hacking. India’s hacking whizkid Ankit Fadia can not only train you and also certify you for two years if you take up his course. It is a computer security course that helps IT security professionals protect internet-enabled computer security systems against cyber security threats and hacking. It helps people become more aware about cyber crime and IT security measures to counter it. This programme is now available at […] - [Blog going great guns!](https://zahidjavali.com/blog-going-great-guns/): The Z Files is going from strength to strength. From a mere 5 visitors a day only six months ago, it’s now recording more than 100 visitors a day. Accordingly, the Technorati ranking that once stood at 16 lakh is now down to 11,000. With an Authority of 354 and the total visitors crossing 21,000, The Z Files is here to stay for a long, long time. Do keep visiting, commenting and re-visiting. It is your support that will keep me going. Thanks again! Z - [The story with a hole!](https://zahidjavali.com/the-story-with-a-hole/): “Take a picture with our heads peeping out of a pothole,” suggested the creative director, sitting in his air-conditioned office on MG Road (we are talking of Bengaluru aka Bangalore here). He was willing to go to the streets, only because he was doing a series of public service campaigns in the press to educate Bangaloreans about civic sense. That about summed up the issue. “Know of any pothole close to your office?” I ask him. He laughs. “I know of a pothole close to your office… it’s gaping enough to accommodate two people,” he intones. I say, fine. But out […] - [Control your thoughts and you can control the world!](https://zahidjavali.com/control-your-thoughts-and-you-can-control-the-world/): Thought control is easier than you might imagine. It sounds a bit New Age. However, there is a mysterious method of thought control you can learn that seems to boost brain power. No one quite knows how it works, and it is hard to describe exactly how to do it: it’s not relaxation or concentration. It’s more to do with a state of mind. And so, the other day when my friend broached on the subject of ‘neuro feedback’, I was wondering what should be the focus of my blog post today. That’s when ‘neuro feedback’ hit me – it offers […] - [Make these gadgets yours!](https://zahidjavali.com/make-these-gadgets-yours/): I am back again to give you my two cents on what I think are the most happening gadgets in the tech part of the world. Here I go… Iphone 3G Rs 24,000 onwards Browse games and applications. And then, download and install them directly onto your iPhone. Like the original iPhone, it combines three products in one — a revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod, and a breakthrough Internet device with rich HTML email and a desktop-class web browser. This nifty gadget has GPS maps that will help you find your location, get directions, and track progress along your route. You […] - [Top 4 Hollywood classics](https://zahidjavali.com/classics-rule/): These are my favourite Hollywood classics. If you think otherwise, let me know why. And if you agree, why don’t you add your own favourite list to this and let me know through your comments. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT 215 mins, 1934; Director: Frank Capra This film is a true classic. It withstands the test of time and does one better – defies it fully. Both Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert are in top form in this charming and memorable comedy. It’s a romantic comedy that all others draw from, few imitate effectively, and none have been able to replicate. It […] - [The best horror movies from Hollywood](https://zahidjavali.com/the-best-horror-movies-from-hollywood/): These are my top four horror films, if i were to pick four from Hollywood. Do let me know what you think. You can add to the list and make it more insightful and vibrant. Happy reading and writing. THE RING 115 mins, 2003; Director: Gore Virbinski This film has enough unsettling scares that will keep you awake all night. Based on a 1998 Japanese super hit film, it’s as eerie as they come. It’s about a lady journalist’s niece dying of fright after she watches a disturbing video. The rest of the film is about the journalist’s efforts at finding […] - [U, me aur hum - a total disaster](https://zahidjavali.com/u-me-aur-hum-a-total-disaster/): Just yesterday, I watched Ajay Devgan’s first directorial venture, U Me Aur Hum. Unlike many favourable media reports and the box office collections (“Average”), I was mighty disappointed. The first five minutes usually tell me if i would like the movie or pan it. This one didn’t tickle me at any point in its two-and-a-half-hour spiel. The movie lacked the emotional quotient that could have sent my tear glands into over drive. The story is about a happy-go-lucky guy falling dropdead in love with a girl on a cruise and even marrying her. But later, his love is tested when she […] - [IPL, match fixing and Jannat](https://zahidjavali.com/ipl-match-fixing-and-jannat/): True, the newly-released film Jannat, which has its premise on match fixing, could have been better. But then, it’s a love story with match fixing just as a backdrop. And as it is, the film is engaging enough. However, its Engage Quotient could have been several notches higher if it had uncovered several intricacies involving the plague affecting one and all… even now i feel many cricket matches are being regularly fixed for greater gain. How else can you explain a world-beating team like Australia fall for Kenya in the World Cup preliminaries? There’s definitely more to it than meets the […] - [Mad about Mahabalipuram](https://zahidjavali.com/mad-about-mahabalipuram/): Visiting Mahabalipuram is like entering a time warp. It’s like hopping into a time machine and going back to the glorious regime of the 17th century Pallava rulers. A place where art and culture thrived. An oasis where sculptors had the freedom to be. An era when art was venerated. An Utopia where time stood still for centuries. How I landed up in this work-in-progress open-air museum is a story by itself. My journey started with what slows us all down – a traffic jam. The bus I had boarded to head to Mahabalipuram emerged out of the Chennai central bus […] - [Pondicherry calling](https://zahidjavali.com/pondicherry-calling/): The united colours of Pondicherry. Where foreigners and Indians live in harmony. Where French architecture is as appealing as Indian. Where nothing appears to stress a tourist, the least being the weather. Even if it rains without warning, you don’t mind because of the humidity and the beach next door. It’s a place where you feel cut off from India and yet feel part of it. It’s this feeling of attachment and detachment that keeps you company long after you’ve left the shores of Pondicherry. I stumbled upon this erstwhile French settlement quite by chance. When I visited Chennai on business, […] - [Jokes abound...](https://zahidjavali.com/jokes-abound/): Here’s one joke that i found particularly interesting. An old man gets into an accident and is rendered blind. When a doctor at his own specialist eye clinic offers to help, he readily agrees but on one condition. That he pay him Rs 1 lakh. The old man agrees but on one condition: he will pay the full amount if cured and nothing if he isn’t cured. The doctor visit the old man every day and takes back one piece of his expensive furniture everytime. The old man is delayed the treatment because the doctor needed a reason to come to […] - [Choosing the right file format for your photos](https://zahidjavali.com/choosing-the-right-file-format-for-your-photos/): There’s more to digital photography than the megapixels of your camera. Many of us go around clicking pictures without realizing that there are different file formats to suit different needs. Most SLR and DLSR cameras offer three file formats—JPEG, TIFF and RAW. Let’s take a look at the relative advantages and disadvantages of each. JPEG JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is an ISO/ITU standard format for compressing still images. The most popular and visible of the three formats, it is essentially good to reduce image sizes to make them more handy and convenient. Advantages It is simple and versatile, and is […] - [Bangalore shopping trivia](https://zahidjavali.com/bangalore-shopping-trivia/): For the first phase, BIAL has two spaces of 1,750 sq m for international travel retail and duty-free; and 450 sqm of mono brands parcel for domestic travellers. Bangalore registered a movement of 69,670 aircraft in 2005-06, next only to Mumbai and Delhi in terms of domestic traffic. South Indian states account for 21.5% of the country’s workforce engaged in retail which is pegged at 50 million. Bangalore has the third largest market for wines in India after Mumbai and Delhi. The city consumes around 31,000 cases per annum as against one lakh cases in Mumbai and around 54,000 cases in […] - [Two gifting stores reviewed!](https://zahidjavali.com/two-gifting-stores-reviewed/): Gift packaging Panache is a one-stop-shop for all your decorations, gift items and packaging needs as well as a host of other fine items which can turn any occasion-whether it be a wedding, a birthday, a festival or just a family affair into a joyous celebration. Their products are made of the finest materials and handcrafted with the utmost care and commitment. We pride ourselves in our exclusivity. The items we offer are uniquely crafted for a one-time occasion and are not available at other retail outlets. You can even place your order online. Panache #165, 9th cross, 1st stage, Indiranagar […] - [Shopping etiquette](https://zahidjavali.com/shopping-etiquette/): If you’re seeking a pleasant shopping experience at the Supermarket all you have to do is bear in mind certain basic etiquette tips. Follow these and you’ll create a satisfying shopping experience for yourself and your fellow shoppers. 1) Never abandon your cart to look for items further down the aisle. 2) Keep the cart in front of you at all times. If you are looking for items on the left side of the aisle, you must remain on the left side of the aisle (not the center and not the right side). 3) Never lose your temper at elderly people, […] - [The art of gifting](https://zahidjavali.com/the-art-of-gifting/): Ensure that your choice of gift is appropriate for the occasion, and for receiver. For instance, a chocolate cake given to a friend on a diet would be a little thoughtless! Sometimes very expensive gifts could embarrass the receiver, especially if he is not in a position to reciprocate with one of similar value. Be sensitive to this issue. Certain companies have strict policies about their employees NOT accepting expensive gifts or any gifts from business associates. Take note. Be careful when considering your choice of gift, by keeping the nationality of the person in mind. Certain items may signify mourning, […] - [What to shop for in Bangalore](https://zahidjavali.com/what-to-shop-for-in-bangalore/): Bangalore is known for its silk and sarees, sandalwood, antique pieces and jewellery shops. To get your hands on these, the places to visit are MG Road, Brigade Road and Commercial Street. Earlier KG Road and Chikpet area were known for all things clothes. The Mysore Silk Saree Udyog on Kamaraj Road is a popular haven besides Deepam, Vijayalakshmi and Nalli Silks on MG Road. All these stores have stuff to suit all pockets. For jewellery, nothing to beat the stores on Commercial Street which have a long history in the trade. Some of the more famous ones include Ganjam Nagappa […] - [The retail scene in Bangalore Part 2](https://zahidjavali.com/the-retail-scene-in-bangalore-part-2/): (Continued from previous post) The scale of the Bangalore retail revolution can be gauged by the amount of space that’s been coming up. Two years ago, the city had 14 malls of over 100,000 sq ft. Real estate consultants reckon that there will be 3.6 million sq ft of new malls by end-2007. What started out with swanky malls like Forum, has today developed into a shopping experience at par with the best in the world. Bangalore shopping is more sophisticated and is streets ahead of any other part of urban India, including Gurgaon. This is the city that has everything […] - [The retail scene in Bangalore - Part 1](https://zahidjavali.com/the-retail-scene-in-bangalore-part-1/): Bangalore is leapfrogging into the retail scene and the last few years are a testimony of that. Retail is growing at an annual rate of 45% in the city and is on the preferred city and launch list for most retailers. Not only has Bangalore consolidated its position as a number three retail player in the country after Delhi and Mumbai, market trends reveal that it’s now all set to overtake Mumbai and occupy the number two position by next year. Helping this trend is the new airport slated to come up in May 2008 leading to the volume of air […] - [Road kings!](https://zahidjavali.com/road-kings/): Meet the men who live and breathe 1000 cc “Hell! Why is that tree so close?” Hitting 260 kmph a week ago had given software engineer T Raghu a new high. He was on his way to Devanahalli when he decided to step on the gas and kiss the air yet again. That’s when he realised a tree was coming at him at breakneck speed. Not the tree’s fault really – it was rooted there for several decades and hadn’t moved an inch. Raghu had had a close encounter a month ago when he was taking a turn at 180 kmph […] - [New tech blog](https://zahidjavali.com/new-tech-blog/): Guys: Since the blogger platform wasn’t really helpful in getting enough traffic to my blog, i have opened my tech blog on Word Press and migrated all the stuff here. Do visit and let me know what you think. http://tech100.wordpress.com - [Start healing yourself NOW!](https://zahidjavali.com/start-healing-yourself-now/): Life is about living… and not just existing. But most of us are so drawn to the exigencies of life that we forget to live and just exist. ‘Time is short, and we are not keeping up with it’ is the common refrain. But wait. Take a deep breath. And you will realise that you can control your life, heal yourself and live longer. And you don’t have to read a Deepak Chopra or Betty Shine book for it. Here are a few simple tips that could get you singing and dancing all your life. And if you think along these […] - [She can see tomorrow](https://zahidjavali.com/she-can-see-tomorrow/): “She’s beautiful and her tarot reading is uncanny.” These eight words by the head of an ad agency led me to meet Madhushree. She was 23 going on 24, but the wisdom she dispensed was that of a granny’s: from ‘tarot’s taught me to live life looking at the brighter side’ to ‘you can change your destiny’ to ‘your mind can see everything’. This seeming disconnect was rationalised by her mother Dr Prabha N Wadiyar: “When I conceived her, I had a vision of an elderly Tibetan lady tugging at my clothes and asking if she can travel with me.” Madhushree […] - [IPL, T20 and India](https://zahidjavali.com/ipl-t20-and-india/): I agree with Indian cricket coach Gary Kirsten. He says playing in the IPL cost the Indian team the T20 World Cup. Why? Player fatique and injury. Easier said. But then, why didn’t he sound an alarm when the IPL schedule was announced? Why weren’t senior cricketers and concerned sports buffs airing their views before the start of IPL? They just needed a scapegoat and they have chosen the IPL for all their ills. Agreed, you cannot rule out player fatigue and injuries, but then, why can’t we have two teams, one for the IPL and one for the Indian cricket […] - [Sex symbol Sharon Stone paired with Big B](https://zahidjavali.com/sex-symbol-sharon-stone-paired-with-big-b/): Basic Instinct star Sharon Stone will now be starring with Amitabh Bachchan in a film titled Lost Love. She is to start shooting either by the end of this year or early next year. Though she is yet to sign the dotted line, it will now only be a formality as the actress has already given her consent. Big B’s deal is close to completion, too. Talks are now on to sign on Abhishek Bachchan to play the younger Amitabh in the film. Amanda Seyfried (of Mamma Mia fame) is likely to essay the role of the younger Sharon. Set in […] - [Shah Rukh gifts a flat to his bodyguard](https://zahidjavali.com/shah-rukh-gifts-a-flat-to-his-bodyguard/): King Khan does everything in style. But importantly, he ensures his key people are happy and so it was when he learnt his decade-old bodyguard Yaseen Khan was getting married. Promptly, he made enquiries to buy a flat for him in Bandra, so he is close to Mannat, where SRK stays. Yaseen is shocked that people are making such a fuss on his marriage. After all, he is just a small guy from a small village in Karnataka. But then, he’s close to SRK. What can be bigger than that? Right now, Yaseen stays at SRK’s residence – after all, he […] - [Aamir Khan to be a father](https://zahidjavali.com/aamir-khan-to-be-a-father/): Aamir’s second wife Kiran Rao is not only pregnant, she is now a victim of high fever and lung infection. Doctors suspect tuberculosis. After the emergency treatment at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, she is back at her Pali Hill home and recuperating. But doctors are having a tough time to battle the latest disease plaguing her. Why? Harsh medicines could damage her to-be-born baby. We wish her and Aamir well. - [Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh drops his pants](https://zahidjavali.com/actor-neil-nitin-mukesh-drops-his-pants/): Yes. Neil Nitin Mukesh of Johnny Gaddaar fame has literally dropped his pants for his upcoming film, Jail. Could it be his desperation after his last film Aa Dekhen Zara failed to click with the masses or is it his bid  to ensure his next film’s initials? Directed by controversy-conscious Madhur Bhandarkar, this film is part of his series on real-life drama after Fashion, Traffic Signal, Page 3, Corporate and Chandni Bar. He has been successful in the entire series, except for Traffic Signal (2007) that vanishes without a trace. But Madhur did come back with Fashion (2008) and is readying […] - [Deepika's kiss and tell](https://zahidjavali.com/deepikas-kiss-and-tell/): Yes. Not only has Deepika Padukone kissed Saif Ali Khan in the upcoming film Kal Aaj Aur Kal, she’s non apologetic about it. When asked if her beau Ranbir Kapoor approves of such a thing, all she says is both are clear about their personal and professional proprieties and no one invades the other’s space. Great equation, Deeps! Kiss and tell, it is then! - [Shahid breaks up with Priyanka?](https://zahidjavali.com/shahid-breaks-up-with-priyanka/): After Kareena, Shahid Kapoor is heading to Heartbreak Hotel again after his failed affair with Priyanka Chopra. Though I am still not sure if this is all a publicity stunt for the twosome’s new film Kaminey, I am sure there’s no smoke without fire. Apparently, his Kismet Konnection co-star Vidya Balan has moved closer to where he stays. Rumours are rife that old sparks may fly and Shahid could soon lose his single tag yet again. But then, one never knows with film stars. There are affairs, affairs and more affairs. But one never knows the depth of each. - [Sex bomb Antara Mali hooks up with GQ editor](https://zahidjavali.com/sex-bomb-antara-mali-hooks-up-with-gq-editor/): Sex bomb Antara Mali and former muse of Ram Gopal Varma has secretly married Che Kurrien, the 29-year-old editor of GQ India magazine. She happens to be veteran fashion photographer Jagdish Mali’s daughter whose movie career didn’t really go anywhere, except her link ups with Ram Gopal Varma and Vivek Oberoi among others. The only successful films that she was part of include Company (2002) and Darna Mana Hai (2003). She even wrote and directed her last film Mr Ya Miss in 2005, but it vanished without a trace. Her earlier tribute to dancing queen Madhuri Dixit also went unregistered. It […] - [Gangster star Shiney in a soup!](https://zahidjavali.com/gangster-star-shiney-in-a-soup/): Accused of raping an 18-year-old maid, Shiney Ahuja (Gangster, Haraaron Khwahishein Aisi, Life in a Metro) is in a big soup with medical reports saying that he has indeed raped his maid. What could further escalate his fears is that the maid could well be a minor as the medical reports say she could be aged between 17 and 18 years. If convicted, he could face imprisonment and this could even spell the end to his promising movie career. Could it be a case of liquor-induced crime? Possible. Could it be a conspiracy? Possible. Could it be sex by mutual consent […] - [MTV veejay Cyrus Broacha: I am an out of work actor](https://zahidjavali.com/mtv-veejay-cyrus-broacha-i-am-an-out-of-work-actor/): Cyrus Broacha is many things to many people. The thirty-seven-year-old is a VJ, a theatreperson, a TV anchor, a writer and also the guy who made you ‘kangal’ (penniless) if you had stuck to the adage ‘Ignorance is bliss’ and shared the stage with him on his old show ‘Kaun Banega Kangal.’ Love him or hate him. But you can’t ignore him. He’s all over the place. If you skip MTV, he invades your drawing rooms through TV commercials. If you switch off the TV and look up the newspaper, you are drawn to his funny takes on relationships. A graduate […] - [Actress Dimple Kapadia wants to marry Richie Rich even if he’s 90-years-old](https://zahidjavali.com/actress-dimple-kapadia-wants-to-marry-richie-rich-even-if-hes-90-years-old/): What were Wipro chief Azim Premji, former Miss India Vani Ganapathy, writer Dilip Thakore, disc jockey Vehrnon Ibrahim and stand-up comic and foodie Ajit Saldanha doing on Saturday night at Bangalore’s premier five star hotel Windsor Manor way back in 1999? They had all come to say ‘hello; to the charismatic Bollywood actress, Dimple Kapadia. She was in town to inaugurate the exhibition of contemporary paintings on the invitation of Shreen Malani, the owner of Renaissance Gallery. When I met up with Kapadia, the actress-turned-maker of designer candles, I learnt that she is one self-effacing person who lived life on the […] - [Model-actress Shenaz Treasurywala has her feet in many boats](https://zahidjavali.com/model-actress-shenaz-treasurywala-has-her-feet-in-many-boats/): In another place, at another time, model-writer-actress and one-time MTV veejay Shenaz Treasurywala would have been a successful photographer. “But since there was more money in veejaying,” she stuck to her second love for a while and later moved on to hosting shows, travel writing and acting in films. “Whenever I find time I assist glamour photographer Dabboo Ratnani,” Shenaz said. With her infectious, baby girlish smile, Shenaz is also a compulsive traveller, bungee jumper, scuba diver and much more. Here are excerpts from an interview I did with her many moons ago. What are you doing now? Many things. Aside […] - [Director Ken Ghosh on the casting couch, God and Lisa Ray](https://zahidjavali.com/director-ken-ghosh-on-the-casting-couch-god-and-lisa-ray/): Despite all the negativity and controversy surrounding the making of his Shahid Kapoor and Genelia D’Souza starrer, director Ken Ghosh has wrapped up principal shooting of his yet untitled film (no, it is not called Yahoo). Slated for early 2010, lets hope he recreates the magic of Ishq Vishq (2003). However, there’s more to Ken. When he failed in his 12th standard, he became a dancer. Soon he made others boogie to his tunes by becoming a choreographer. By some quirk of fate, he managed to direct rap singer Baba Sehgal’s Dil Dhadke. And this effort established himself as a music […] - [Indian Idol host Mini Mathur bares her soul and everything else!](https://zahidjavali.com/indian-idol-host-mini-mathur-bares-her-soul-and-everything-else/): For Indian Idol host and former MTV veejay Mini Mathur, life has been far from predictable. When she was studying medicine, her father veered her toward a bachelors degree in English Literature. While working in the client-servicing department of ad agency, Hindustan Thompson Associates (HTA), for about two years, Mathur even managed to acquire a masters degree in business administration. When client-servicing reached a head, she went on a six-month hibernation to model for Rayban, Binny, Ruffles, Vimal sarees, Atlas cycles, and Hero Honda, with the promise that she would return to HTA. When that never materialised, she made her foray […] - [Shah Rukh is back to television](https://zahidjavali.com/shah-rukh-is-back-to-television/): Yup. King Khan is back to his Fauji days albeit as a superstar cum idiot box entertainer. And the best part? He will be starring alongside Bollywood babes Priety Zinta and Rani Mukherji. So who has managed to create this casting coup of sorts? Yash Chopra and Aditya Chopra! If what we hear is indeed going to be true, it’s going to herald a new era on Indian television. And if SRK is going to lead the pack from Bollywood, can other filmstars be far behind? I don’t think so. Carry on Aditya! Bring it on! - [New York and Love Aaj Kal are eagerly awaited](https://zahidjavali.com/new-york-and-love-aaj-kal-are-eagerly-awaited/): While Akshay Kumar starrer Kambakkht Ishq is hyped too much and might not work, there are two films that might just work because of their themes and its unconventional cast (John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Irrfan Khan). Ofcourse, the filmmaker matters too like in the case of New York – producer Aditya Chopra. Not that the direction is left to a newcomer. It’s Kabir Khan who managed to turn heads with his different style of filmmaking in Kabul Express. What also scores for New York is its contemporary theme. Set in New York, it’s about three friends whose lives […] - [Kambakkht Ishq set to sizzle](https://zahidjavali.com/kambakkht-ishq-set-to-sizzle/): After a drought of good movies, Bollywood is back with the Akshay Kumar starrer Kambakkht Ishq. The makers are leaving no movie fan undisturbed with their hype and hooplah. So what’s the film all about? A love story set between two people who hate each other – Hollywood stuntman Akshay and feminist super model/aspiring surgeon Kareena Kapoor. Will it work? Going by the promos, there seems to be no chemistry between the two like it was with Shahid and Kareena in Jab We Met or Aamir and Kajol in Fanaa. Kareena seems to be playing the game of a haughty feminist […] - [Aura photography](https://zahidjavali.com/aura-photography-2/): First things first. An aura is the electromagnetic energy field surrounding us. This field vibrates at different frequencies and reflects our state of mind, body and inner being. And this shows up in different colours, each associated with various chakras or energy centers in our body. Again, our aura colours are determined by physical, mental, emotional and spiritual states of being. Which also means, the colours of our aura reflect our energy, vibrancy, and health on many levels. Here is where Paul Mitchell comes in. He will not only photograph your aura but also tell you what each of the colour […] - [Salman-Katrina's sex video](https://zahidjavali.com/salman-katrinas-hardcore-sex-video/): News is spreading like wildlife about Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif’s alleged hardcore sex tape doing the rounds of the video libraries in Canada. Apparently, the news originated out there and said to be the handiwork of malcontents who captured two lookalikes doing the most lewd acts for the camera. While it remains to be seen if it’s authentic, some industry insiders in Bollywood are spreading rumours that the tape indeed contains the real Salman and Katrina. Though the two love birds have preferred to keep mum for now, it remains to be seen if they will continue to, if the […] - [Air France 447 toppled by a meteor?](https://zahidjavali.com/air-france-447-toppled-by-a-meteor/): This is new. After news that lightning and turbulance (read bad weather) could have crashed Air France 447 that killed over 200 people in one of the worst aircraft accidents, there are experts who don’t rule out the role of meteors striking the plane. While the topic has invited many to offer up their opinions on what could have happened, some even cite Flight 800’s explosion and subsequent crash in 1996 to have been caused by a meteor the size of a plane. But my considered view is that it could well have been extreme turbulence. Why not a meteor, you […] - [Walk-in spirits and what they can do](https://zahidjavali.com/walk-in-spirits-and-what-they-can-do-2/): Walk-ins are spirits who take over someone else’s body. The degree of the takeover decides who dominates whom. You might have come across mediums (people who interact with the dead and convey their message on to the living) who host walk-ins. In this case, the walk-in happens to be the dead person the medium is communicating with. I saw one such medium the other day, a blind woman astrologer. She said, she will summon her spirit guide and tell me my future. She held my right hand and closed her eyes. Within seconds, she started shivering, shaking and making strange noise. […] - [Haunted by spirits? Call the experts](https://zahidjavali.com/haunted-by-spirits-call-the-experts-2/): If you feel uncomfortable about the haunting activity in your home or building and would like the entity removed or would like to have a spirit transition (aiding a spirit to move on) performed, you can contact The Omega Paranormal Eliminations Team. They claim to have shamans (experts) with ten years experience of spirit removals (exorcisms), house clearings, and spirit transitions (assisting spirits to move on). And they do it for free. What’s more, they are affiliated to the Global Paranormal Network. If you live away from their territory, you could contact the GPN to find someone closer home. And if […] - [Supernatural loses sheen](https://zahidjavali.com/supernatural-loses-sheen-2/): At one time, the Supernatural TV series was good to the core. But with successive seasons, it’s mediocre at best. It’s like any other revenge soap, which has characters portrayed in completely black or white albeit, they only happen to be ghosts and spirits and not humans. But the drama is essentially human. Ofcourse, you might say spirits are also human, my point is that this series doesn’t offer anything new other than the usual drama. There are no surprises. There aren’t too many layers to every story that will make you think long after the episode is over. There aren’t […] - [>Walk-in spirits and what they can do](https://zahidjavali.com/walk-in-spirits-and-what-they-can-do/): >Walk-ins are spirits who take over someone else’s body. The degree of the takeover decides who dominates whom. You might have come across mediums (people who interact with the dead and convey their message on to the living) who host walk-ins. In this case, the walk-in happens to be the dead person the medium is communicating with. I saw one such medium the other day, a blind woman astrologer. She said, she will summon her spirit guide and tell me my future. She held my right hand and closed her eyes. Within seconds, she started shivering, shaking and making strange noise. […] - [>Supernatural loses sheen](https://zahidjavali.com/supernatural-loses-sheen/): >At one time, the Supernatural TV series was good to the core. But with successive seasons, it’s mediocre at best. It’s like any other revenge soap, which has characters portrayed in completely black or white albeit, they only happen to be ghosts and spirits and not humans. But the drama is essentially human. Ofcourse, you might say spirits are also human, my point is that this series doesn’t offer anything new other than the usual drama. There are no surprises. There aren’t too many layers to every story that will make you think long after the episode is over. There aren’t […] - [Shahid Kapoor romancing Anushka Sharma](https://zahidjavali.com/shahid-kapoor-romancing-anushka-sharma/): Yes, it’s official. Shahid Kapoor is often seen in the arms of a much happy Anushka Sharma who recently debuted in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. After his unhappy break-up with Kareena Kapoor, Shahid has found his new love, albeit onscreen. Whether this new-found screen chemistry works offscreen as well remains to be seen. But for now, know this. Shahid and Anushka are paired in the next film by Yashraj Films where Shahid sports a crew cut (military cut) while Anushka’s hair will be fringed and not plain like we saw in RNBDJ. The as yet […] - [Big B goes bald](https://zahidjavali.com/big-b-goes-bald/): It’s now well-known that Amitabh Bachchan has been hiding his bald days for some time now. That he wears a specially made wig for his public and personal avatar is fairly well-known in filmy circles. But since no one has been able to catch him without the wig, there has been no evidence about him going bald. Got you? Well, that was just a joke, but what is not is that Big B has indeed gone bald for his new film, Paa. American make-up artistes work on his face for nearly four hours with prosthetics (read silicon) to make sure he […] - [SRK is not in Dhoom 3](https://zahidjavali.com/srk-is-not-in-dhoom-3/): After a British publication wrote that the King Khan has been signed in to play the pivotal role of a villain in Dhoom 3, the producers have come out in the open to deny any such news. Don’t know if it’s a strategy to keep this development under wraps, but I feel that SRK was indeed approached for the film, but he couldn’t do it for want of dates. However, I quite like the idea of SRK playing the villain of the piece in the much popular Dhoom franchise. Dear Shah Rukh: If some film slips out of your hands and […] - [Hottie Nayantara marries Prabhu Deva](https://zahidjavali.com/hottie-nayantara-marries-prabhu-deva/): Hottie Nayantara has married dancing sensation Prabhu Deva? Well, the news could well be wrong because Prabhu is still married. Though his marriage has been on the rocks for a while now, no legal proceedings have been made by either of the parties concerned. Two, he has three children to take care of. So while the marriage rumours could well be wrong, the fact that they have become kindred souls is not. What’s more, it is also believed that Nayantara has Prabhu’s name tattoed on her wrist a la Saif Ali Khan’s Kareena tattoo. What can be a better evidence of […] - [Kangna discovers blogging](https://zahidjavali.com/kangana-blogs-her-way-to-glory/): Bollywood hottie Kangna Ranaut is the newest entrant to the world of blogging (http://blog.realkangnaranaut.com) after Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgan, Shilpa Shetty and who have you? So what’s different? For one, she’s the hottest girl on the movie ramp. Two, she’s a victim of mischievous publicity… from rumours about her appearing nude in the sequel to Raaz to her marriage with Shekhar Suman’s actor son Adhyayan (she has split with him). Kangna will use this website (http://www.realkangnaranaut.com) as a platform to air her views and clarify all the doubts that her fans are currently digesting, assimilating and eschewing. Kangna, Kangna. It’s […] - [Karisma Kapoor wins Bollywood's first ever dance reality show](https://zahidjavali.com/karisma-kapoor-wins-bollywoods-first-ever-dance-reality-show/): Yup. Today saw Bollywood’s first ever dance reality show on Indian television, courtesy Headlines Today. Their programme, Saas & The City, showcased ten Bollywood stars competing for the title by taking snapshots of celebs dancing on different TV shows… From SRK and Salman Khan to Sonam Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor and Bipasha Basu among others. Eventually, the title went to Karisma Kapoor for her charisma and talent. And rightly so. She is still as lissome and adept at dancing as ever. Marriage certainly hasn’t dampened her spirit or talent. Or is it her recent divorce with industralist Sanjay Kapur that has given […] - [Katrina shuns makeup](https://zahidjavali.com/katrina-shuns-makeup/): It’s such a bad deal for beautiful models and actresses. Not only are they forced to put up so many irritating layers of makeup to hide the slighest of warts and moles on their faces, but they are made to keep it on between shoots for hours at a stretch. The flipside of this? Their skin burns, ages faster and eventually wears out, making them older than they really are. Model-actress Katrina Kaif has therefore decided to ban heavy makeup from her roster and will instead go for the natural look. Does this no makeup at all? Not really. She will […] - [Love potions and charms](https://zahidjavali.com/love-potions-and-charms-2/): Yup. If the headline has got you, let me assure you that these are indeed love potions that will mesmerise your lover like no other. And before you think, these are grandma’s recipes handed down by generations, they are not.But first things first, I am talking about a book titled Bewitching Love Potions and Charms by the London-based Octopus Publishing under the imprint of Cassell Illustrated. So who is the author, you ask? Well, it’s Raven Tempest, a professional witch born into a Persian family where practical magic was part of everyday life. So what you have the book showcases a […] - [Timothy Ferriss and the four-hour work week](https://zahidjavali.com/timothy-ferriss-and-the-four-hour-work-week/): First things first. Do NOT read this blog post unless you want to give up your job. Yes, Maverick businessman Timothy Ferriss says it with conviction and detailed plans to boot. That’s what you will get if you read his book, The Four-Hour Work Week. From mini retirements to outsourcing your life, it’s all here. Whether you are a wage slave or a Fortune 500 CEO, this book will change the way you look at work. And I have none other than The New York Times to back me up on this. So what is it about this book that makes […] - [Kareena Kapoor's footwear fetish](https://zahidjavali.com/kareena-kapoors-slippery-tales/): I am not sure, if Kareena Kapoor is a style icon though her publicist insists she is. But I do agree that she deserves me in the race for the style icon tag. After all, which other species loses and gains weight in a jiffy? The Page 3 filmy type ofcourse. So though her size zero avatar didn’t rake in the moolah in the film Tashan that sank without a trace, Kareena seems to have learnt her lessons. She’s eating well on her overseas jaunt with Saif. And apparently, her beau Saif is happy that he has more surface area of […] - [Bollywood's take on Sonia Gandhi](https://zahidjavali.com/bollywoods-take-on-sonia-gandhi/): Yes, a film on Sonia Gandhi is ready for release. Starring newcomers, one of whom remarkably resembles late prime minister Indira Gandhi, it might create some ripples across the nation. But, I am not sure if it will indeed release because the people behind it aren’t too well-known, even though one of them happens to be a senior bureaucrat. However, if it does, I am not sure how good it will be. After all, a leader like Sonia deserves a superlative product, not a C-grade hand-me-down. However, Writer-director-producer Kumar Kiran seems hopeful that Sonia’s victory with the Ballot Box will also […] - [Bollywood beckons: Work with Ram Gopal Varma](https://zahidjavali.com/bollywood-beckons-work-with-ram-gopal-varma/): Okay, his retake on Sholay didn’t work, but his horror film Phoonk did set the cash registers ringing long after the show was over. Which is good. What’s more, director Ram Gopal Varma also ran a contest alongside. Whoever manages to watch the film alone in a theatre could win Rs 10 lakh. Ofcourse, the rider was that he had to also book the entire theatre and be the only one to watch it. Ofcourse, one person did win the prize and was given due publicity. Now, Varma is back with yet another supernatural thriller, Agyaat. So can a contest be […] - [Bollywood shuns Australian racism and rightly so](https://zahidjavali.com/bollywood-shuns-australian-racism-and-rightly-so/): Even while the Australian government is saying it’s not racism but straightout threat by junkies who will do anything for money to finance their nefarious needs, the first alarm in Bollywood was sounded when Amitabh Bachchan refused an honour bestowed by an Australian body. And now, all the filmmakers in B town have not only voiced their concern against the continuing attacks on Indians in Australia, but they have also vowed not to shoot in Australia until the situation turns normal. Take Siddharth Anand who shot two films entirely in Australia – Salaam Namaste and Tara Rum Pum Pum. He is […] - [Celina Jaitley manhandled by Tushar Kapoor?](https://zahidjavali.com/celina-jaitley-manhandled-by-tushar-kapoor/): Okay, okay. The news is not as dire as it appears to be. My sources tell me that Celina was equally to be blamed for this. Apparently, the two were rehearsing dance steps for Govinda-starrer Run Bhola Run, when Tushar bruised her. The story goes something like this… With Celina insisting on wearing high heels for dance rehearsals, poor Tushar was forced to grip her more tightly to avoid her from falling during the dance moves. In the bargain, her arms turned  black and blue. She didn’t stop at that. She summoned the film’s makeup department to attention to prove Tushar […] - [Bollywood stalemate ends. Was Vashu Bhagnani behind it?](https://zahidjavali.com/bollywood-stalemate-ends-was-vashu-bhagnani-behind-it/): After two months of no new Hindi films at the country’s multiplexes, it’s finally curtains on the controversy. But who belled the cat? Well, it’s clear that the industry benefits as a whole, but the timing of the victory clearly points fingers at big producer Vashu Bhagnani whose son is debuting in the film Kal Kissne Dekha scheduled around this time. Could Mr Moneybags have catalysed it? So who has emerged the real winner? The multiplex owners or the Vashu Bhagnani-dominated producer-distributor lobby? Here goes my analysis and why I feel it’s a just battle won. Agreed, multiplex owners have pumped […] - [Kangna-Adhyayan split: Shekhar Suman behind it?](https://zahidjavali.com/kangana-adhyayan-split-shekhar-suman-behind-it/): Their long distance relationship soured after papa Suman seized the opportunity to influence his son on calling off the much strained affair. - [>Love potions and charms](https://zahidjavali.com/love-potions-and-charms/): >Yup. If the headline has got you, let me assure you that these are indeed love potions that will mesmerise your lover like no other. And before you think, these are grandma’s recipes handed down by generations, they are not.But first things first, I am talking about a book titled Bewitching Love Potions and Charms by the London-based Octopus Publishing under the imprint of Cassell Illustrated. So who is the author, you ask? Well, it’s Raven Tempest, a professional witch born into a Persian family where practical magic was part of everyday life. So what you have the book showcases a […] - [Aishwarya, Bipasha losing out to younger actresses](https://zahidjavali.com/aishwarya-bipasha-losing-out-to-younger-actresses/): Looks like age does matter, even if size doesn’t. Ask Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu these days. If Aishwarya was replaced with the younger and lissome Sonam Kapoor in L’Oreal’s Indian advertising campaign, Bipasha Basu has lost out the sequel of Corporate to anothe newcomer Deepika Padukone. What’s more, she has also lost out on the sequel of Race to Kareena Kapoor. Ofcourse, it was Saif who made this happen and not really her age that was concerned. But the truth still remains that age is fast catching up with Aishwarya and Bipasha. Comparatively, Ash is safer because she is already […] - [Entertainment ke liye kuch bhi karega...](https://zahidjavali.com/entertainment-ke-liye-saala-kuch-bhi-karega/): Entertainment ke liye kuch bhi karega. That’s the reality show on Sony TV and not my clever one-liner. People from across India, from the rural hinterland to the more urbane metros come here to showcase their talent. The rider? You have to entertain the judges in under one minute. If you don’t grab their eyes and ears in the first 60 seconds, you are out. If you do, then you not only win a cash prize of Rs 10,000, but you could go to the final round where you could win Rs 5 lakh. The judges are a good mix. Singer […] - [Aura cleansing is the way to go](https://zahidjavali.com/aura-cleansing-is-the-way-to-go-2/): Aura cleansing is important for our wellbeing. Just like ochre-ing (mentioned in my earlier post), there are many more easier ways of cleansing our auras… here are some… Do these atleast once every other day, and you should be fit to tackle anything in this world. 1. Sea breeze: Just hitting the beach side and partaking of the sea breeze can be a great boost to your aura. The salt attached to the breeze, cleanses all the foreign bodies embedded in your aura and free you up. 2. Swimming: Nothing like diving into the sea and spraying your body with salt […] - [>Aura cleansing is the way to go](https://zahidjavali.com/aura-cleansing-is-the-way-to-go/): >Aura cleansing is important for our wellbeing. Just like ochre-ing (mentioned in my earlier post), there are many more easier ways of cleansing our auras… here are some… Do these atleast once every other day, and you should be fit to tackle anything in this world. 1. Sea breeze: Just hitting the beach side and partaking of the sea breeze can be a great boost to your aura. The salt attached to the breeze, cleanses all the foreign bodies embedded in your aura and free you up. 2. Swimming: Nothing like diving into the sea and spraying your body with salt […] - [Amitabh Bachchan's guide to life](https://zahidjavali.com/amitabh-bachchans-guide-to-life/): Here is what I found on Big B’s blog the other day. Among the many rants and ramblings, Big B sometimes makes perfect sense as these quotable quotes will attest. No, these are definitely not his coined phrases, but stuff that he found in one of the forwards he got in his inbox. Since he loved what he read, he reproduced them on his blog as well. Do read them. As he says, let these ‘bring sunshine and laughter’ into your lives… 1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow. 2. Money will buy a fine […] - [Aamir Khan should work with Danny Boyle](https://zahidjavali.com/aamir-khan-should-work-with-danny-boyle/): There’s news that Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle met Aamir Khan recently in Mumbai to persuade him to be part of his next film. Though, nothing is finalised just yet (we know how long it takes for a film from start to execution), one hopes Aamir takes to it like fish to water. After all, what better showcase than Boyle in what could well be an India-centric film yet again. Looks like Boyle seems to have re-discovered his mojo and his genre of filmmaking: realism. Good for India. And good for Aamir if he is indeed signed up. Until then, one […] - [My Name Is Khan gets delayed!](https://zahidjavali.com/my-name-is-khan-gets-delayed/): The much awaited My Name Is Khan starring the evergreen Shah Rukh Khan might not make it this year. This Karan Johar directed film might not make the cut because of the continuing dispute between the producers and multiplex owners. This means, the film that was slated for mid December this year might be released in June or July 2010. With the issue yet to be resolved, many big releases of this year have already been pushed to July and August. If the problem continues to find no takers, most big releases will be pushed to the year end. This could […] - [Sonam Kapoor dating Cyrus?](https://zahidjavali.com/sonam-kapoor-dating-cyrus/): Rumour has it that Sonam Kapoor of Saawariya and Delli 6 fame is dating MTV veejay Cyrus Sahukar (not Cyrus Broacha who is supposed to be happily married and gay). I have not met Sonam, so can’t talk much about her. But yes, Cyrus comes across as a person who is less humourous than Broacha, and therefore less silly, and less unpredictable. Now I don’t know what Sonam wants. But I do know what women in general want. Everything that Broacha has. So Sonam, I am not sure if you’ve find the right match. There is still time. You can always […] - [Anupam Kher teams up with Woody Allen](https://zahidjavali.com/anupam-kher-teams-up-with-woody-allen/): Not that Anupam Kher is any lesser known than Woody Allen in India. But the fact that two stalwarts are coming together in a Hollywood film is great news. Kher is a consummate entertainer that I have the highest regards for. He slips into any role effortlessly. The fact that many young actors of today have been groomed by him says a lot about the man. I only hope he gets a role that merits his versatility and gives him a big boost and puts India on the map yet again like Slumdog Millionaire. Kher deserves to be in Hollywood. And […] - [Shah Rukh Khan is the villain of the piece!](https://zahidjavali.com/shah-rukh-khan-is-the-villain-of-the-piece/): Yes, SRK is back to his Darr days when he wielded an axe and didn’t hesitate to chop off the hero if only to get his girl. And while Darr was produced by Yash Raj Films, his next film will also be helmed by them. Coincidence. Coincidence. But that’s not all. The film is Dhoom 3. Knowing SRK and how the stories change their colours, you never know who will eventually walk away with the honours and the audience with this one. Remember, Billu? Though he was supposed to make a special appearance, SRK’s character was given more screenspace and songs […] - [Katrina-Salman part ways?](https://zahidjavali.com/katrina-salman-part-ways/): News is that the Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif affair was never destined to be remembered for long. Apparently, the pair has split and the reason is yet another actor. John Abraham seems to be the man coming in the way of their long flourishing relationship. Though, it’s still unclear what or who could really be behind the break, one can assume that the two might have got tired of each other’s company for so long. Plus, the perks of being a star gets you close to many more co-actors, flings and even one-night stands. Katrina Kaif could well have succumbed to one […] - [Sania Mirza should not marry just yet!](https://zahidjavali.com/sania-mirza-should-not-marry-just-yet/): Sania is only 22 and the person she is to marry is only a year older. This pairing has more probability of going wrong than right for the following reasons: 1. The age gap should be atleast three years, and it’s scientifically proven that girls mature faster than guys. For the boy to catch up with the girl, his age gap should be anywhere between three to five years. 2. He is too young to marry. At 23 and still studying his MBA, her beau is yet to find a footing in his family business. Only later can he grow emotionally […] - [Ochre-ing - the secret to a glowing aura](https://zahidjavali.com/ochre-ing-the-secret-to-a-glowing-aura-2/): Yup. My dear friends Tarun and Celia have stumbled upon a shamanistic practice that is truly unique. The way to have a great glowing aura is to simply go naked and get someone to cover you with mud. If that is a bit difficult to execute, an oil bath could do, too, but not with the same result. What happens is this. Apparently, our root chakra (it’s where our legs meet) and our heart chakra start to glow more luminously. How does this help? Well, a more glowing heart chakra could mean that you now have the capability of being more […] - [>Ochre-ing - the secret to a glowing aura](https://zahidjavali.com/ochre-ing-the-secret-to-a-glowing-aura/): >Yup. My dear friends Tarun and Celia have stumbled upon a shamanistic practice that is truly unique. The way to have a great glowing aura is to simply go naked and get someone to cover you with mud. If that is a bit difficult to execute, an oil bath could do, too, but not with the same result. What happens is this. Apparently, our root chakra (it’s where our legs meet) and our heart chakra start to glow more luminously. How does this help? Well, a more glowing heart chakra could mean that you now have the capability of being more […] - [Anushka Sharma was a non-starter](https://zahidjavali.com/anushka-sharma-was-a-non-starter/): Yup. Anushka Sharma is yet another Bangalore girl who has made it big on the India map, after Lara Dutta,  Deepika Padukone, Vaishali Desai, Rani Jeyraj (Miss World) and Nafisa Joseph (late MTV veejay) among many others. When she came to me many moons ago, she hadn’t even got a proper portfolio done of hers. She had come to me after fashion impresario Prasad Bidapa recommended her as the face of the future. So when I asked her to come over with her pictures, she handed me pictures that were far from flattering. It was 7pm already and I had a deadline to […] - [Deepika Padukone is catty!](https://zahidjavali.com/deepika-padukone-is-catty/): Deepika Padukone who serenaded Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om and later Ranbir Kapoor in Bachna Ae Haseeno (both onscreen and offscreen) is someone I knew more than six years ago. She was at the time inching her way to stardom on and off the ramp. She was also figuring in TV commercials at the time, particularly the toothpaste ad where she had to see the unseen (the advt featured graphics). But what struck me most was her amazing way of breaking the ice and fearing nothing. When I was in the thick of interviewing her (I was making her […] - [Vaishali Desai is Manmohan Desai's grand niece](https://zahidjavali.com/vaishali-desai-is-manmohan-desais-grand-daughter/): I know her. Vaishali Desai. Ever since she took those baby steps to modelling and later acting. On one of those photo shoots for the publication I was working for at the time, she said that she was famous director Manmohan Desai’s grand niece. I was even more taken aback because Manmohan Desai is the also the name that catapulted Amitabh Bachchan to ultimate stardom with such super hits as Amar Akbar Anthony, Mard, Coolie, Naseeb and so on. I asked her if she’s getting into films anytime soon and she said, she was waiting for the right offer. I wondered […] - [Singer, actress Vasundhara Das speaks her heart out!](https://zahidjavali.com/vasundhara-das-speaks-her-heart-out/): She looks completely different from what she looks like on screen in Hey! Ram. For that matter, Vasundhara Das, 31, also looks very different from the schoolgirl I used to know, following her parents around to department stores or social gatherings. Here is an interview I did with her way back in 2000. “I am still plump, but nowhere like the way I used to be,” says Vasundhara, lolling around in a sofa in her house in Malleswaram in Bangalore. “After I finished college, I went on diets, exercised like crazy and became very slim.” Her mother Nirmala, home from work […] - [Giselle Bundchen or Kim Kardashian?](https://zahidjavali.com/giselle-bundchen-or-kim-kardashian/): Between the two gorgeous babes, I prefer Kim to Giselle anyday. For one, Kim looks healthy while Giselle looks malnourished. But the reason I like Kim more is her great tips for bikini freaks… here are some of them picked from Kim’s official blog (http://www.kimkardashian.celebuzz.com). 1. Sunscreen is way more important than you think! You need it even if you aren’t going to the beach! 2. Accessories like big sunglasses, which not only shade you from the sun, but are fabulous when you have no make up on and want to hide a little bit! 3. A great pair of flip […] - [DMK is demanding more than just its pound of flesh](https://zahidjavali.com/dmk-is-demanding-more-than-just-its-pound-of-flesh/): Coalition politics is a different game but Congress is a master of that. Having wrestled the opposition to the ground in the historic mandate this year, I am sure they will find a middle ground with its tantrum-throwing ally, the DMK led by the super shrewd Karunanidhi. It’s a known fact that only crorepatis can go on to win a member of parliament seat and only a cash-rich party can romp home to the seat of chief minister and prime minister. And DMK isn’t alone. But accusing them of excessive money power in Tamil Nadu which led to their victory is […] - [Digg Dialogg with Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://zahidjavali.com/digg-dialogg-with-arnold-schwarzenegger/): World-famous athlete, actor and California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (his second name is always such a pain to spell that I have to triple check) is taking a bow, ladies and gentlemen. No, not in front of a mammoth crowd in CA, but in cyberspace. Digg, one of the world’s best blog web aggregator of news and views, is conducting a Digg Dialogg with Arny where anyone and everyone can post questions. The idea? You don’t have to be a journalist to ask Arny. You can post your question and one of you can also choose what questions should eventually be posed […] - [Fake IPL player. How fake is he, really?](https://zahidjavali.com/fake-ipl-player-how-fake-is-he-really/): Okay, okay. The Fake IPL Player (fakeiplplayer.blogspot.com) has revealed himself and still concealed himself. With 43 venomous posts on the goings on in Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders team and his inside scoop on all things Indian Premier League, FIP had indeed turned many heads. This included King Khan himself who launched a fervent search for the malicious mole. But alas. Neither could he track him and nor could he get his team into the semis. In the meanwhile, FIP garnered attention like no other blogger in record time, with almost 8000 avid followers to his every post. With his […] - [Lucid dreaming](https://zahidjavali.com/lucid-dreaming-2/): Have you ever had a dream and been conscious that you are dreaming? This is known as lucid dreaming, and most people may only experience it a couple of times in their lives. Depending on the dreamers’ self-awareness of being asleep, the dream can be very vivid and the person will wake up remembering every detail. As the person is aware of being asleep, it is possible for them to control their dreams, for instance it enables the sleeper to dream they are flying or to walk through walls or to talk to any other person or character in their dream. […] - [Shah Rukh Khan is a hit in the UK!](https://zahidjavali.com/shah-rukh-khan-is-a-hit-in-the-uk/): One look at the all-time hits in UK convey the best news that SRK can thank god for. Out of the nine all-time Hindi blockbuster films in the UK, eight have him in the cast… The only other film also had another Khan. We are talking about Salman in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. Good for SRK. Good for Bollywood! Without further ado, here are the top films that fared supremely well in the UK in the last two decades with their lifetime grosses. 1. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham £2,500,000 2. Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna £2,065,000 3. Veer Zaara £2,015,000 4. Kuch […] - [Barbara Mori-Hrithik Roshan affair: Much ado about nothing?](https://zahidjavali.com/barbara-mori-hrithik-roshan-affair-much-ado-about-nothing/): A lot of paper has been wasted on how Bollywood hearthrob Hrithik Roshan’s marriage could be in trouble because of a certain Mexican actress pairing up with him in his next film, Kites. Sure, Barbara is endowed with everything a woman would ask for in the Physique Department. But that doesn’t mean, anyone would want to forget about his marriage and canoodle with a rising starlet. Yes, Barbara isn’t really a happening actress in Mexico. Her only rise to fame are her near-nude pictures in Maxim magazine’s international edition. Today, it would be her supposed steamy scenes in Kites. Can she […] - [General elections showcase women of substance](https://zahidjavali.com/general-elections-showcase-women-of-substance/): It’s heartening to note that this Lok Sabha will comprise the maximum number of women members of parliament in history – 61.  Statistics also reveal that women MPs in the past have outperformed men and also have a higher success ratio in elections. Does this mean, there should be a law that forces political parties to keep many more seats reserved for women? I don’t think so. The meritorious will inherit the earth. After all, who doesn’t want to bank on a winning horse. Eventually, the political parties themselves will realise the benefits of fielding a woman candidate in elections, and […] - [Aishwarya Rai is insecure](https://zahidjavali.com/insecurity-grips-aishwarya-rai/): Don’t know why Aishwarya Rai is so insecure. Rumour is rife that she asked L’Oreal guys to stop newcomer Sonam Kapoor (the daughter of Slumdog Millionaire’s Anil Kapoor) from walking the red carpet at Cannes film festival. Don’t understand how the pairing of the two (fresher and veteran) would affect Ash’s brand equity. She should just bother about her own and not tell L’Oreal what to do. Since the Pink Panther 2 star is on a new high with talks of many more films with Hollywood giants, it appears that the L’Oreal guys didn’t want to rub her the wrong way […] - [Shah Rukh and Akshay miss the plot!](https://zahidjavali.com/shah-rukh-and-akshay-miss-the-plot/): True, Shah Rukh Khan is still King Khan and Akshay Kumar is fast catching up with him and yet so far from him. But here is why I think both of them are going wrong with the way they are perceiving themselves and their star status. 1. Soon after his back to back successes including his last film Singh is Kinng, Akshay Kumar called himself a star in a song in Chandni Chowk to China. The result: the film sank and created a record of sorts in the Flops department. 2. Soon after the mammoth success of Rab Ne Bana Di […] - [Jeffrey Archer in Bangalore](https://zahidjavali.com/jeffrey-archer-in-bangalore/): Last night, I got to meet my favourite story teller at a book reading in Bangalore. I have always believed that Jeffrey Archer is a better story teller than a writer. Yesterday proved it. With his subtle digs at Indian films, the state of Indian road transport, and the political scenario, Archer proved a consummate story teller. This was particularly evident when he spoke about the first time he wrote a book that got rejected by 14 publishers. When the 15th time proved to be lucky, he was invited to be on national television. However, it was for a 7-minute programme […] - [Rahul Gandhi should not be in Cabinet](https://zahidjavali.com/rahul-gandhi-should-not-be-in-cabinet/): Agreed his father Rajiv became the prime minister at 40 and he could at 38, but Rahul Gandhi should not only stay away from becoming the PM, but he should also avoid the pitfalls of being a Cabinet minister. Here is why… 1. Becoming a Cabinet minister would mean managing a portfolio solely and largely ignoring the party’s growth prospects. This would take away from his very aim of strengthening the party’s grassroots. 2. As a Congressman, he can do what he wants and also exert pressure on the government from the outside. He could be the Third Eye and ensure […] - [LTTE Prabhakaran still alive?](https://zahidjavali.com/ltte-prabhakaran-still-alive/): While the LTTE spokesperson still would like to believe that LTTE chief Prabhakan is very much alive and kicking the Sri Lankan army’s butt, the disturbing visuals being released by the Sri Lankan army give a different picture. Though there are rumours that this could well be a body double, experts say it’s highly likely that a person would closely resemble the face being shown on TV. Now here is what I think could have led to his death, if it is indeed the LTTE chief. When Sri Lankan president heard about the capture of Prabhakaran, Mahinda Rajapaksa had to draw […] - [Manmohanomics: Will it win over Recessionomics?](https://zahidjavali.com/manmohanomics-will-it-win-over-recessionomics/): Now that the Congress-led alliance has made BJP’s LK Advani weep his way to political oblivion, will the shrewd economist in prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh assert himself a lot more like he did with the US nuclear deal and set right the anomalies in the Indian economy? Will ladyluck smile on him again (he has three already – Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress, Priyanka and Sonia Gandhi of the Congress) and will he truly test his mettle on this highly volatile political highground where the voter is really the king. He has just mandate before him now: do or […] - [A new era in Indian politics](https://zahidjavali.com/a-new-era-in-indian-politics/): I am pleased as punch with this year’s election results. Take author and UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor’s 96,000 winning margin in Trivandrum? It’s fantastic and I thought he would have a tough fight and lose at the end. Take much maligned former cricketer Azharuddin’s victory in Moradabad (Andhra Pradesh). Delhi CM Sheila Dixit’s sweeping victory (winning 7 out of 7 seats) is truly wonderful. Goes to show that a mini India like Delhi actually holds up a mirror of India itself – that good governance is rewarded and bad governance will suffer anti-incumbency and eventually perish (BJP and its alliance partners […] - [Secularism wins over fundamentalism. Jai ho!](https://zahidjavali.com/secularism-wins-over-fundamentalism-jai-ho/): I am mighty pleased that the Congress-led alliance (UPA) has defeated its harshest rivals – the BJP-led NDA by a fantastic margin of over 100 seats! What’s more, these elections have also routed the Left parties which are against globalisation. This is a stupendous achievement for the Congress and the Indian electorate. This can only mean more peace, harmony and economic progress under the able leadership of economist prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Now I only wish the left and the BJP learn their lessons and stop harping on communal issues to win over vote banks. The Indian electorate has truly […] - [Economic slowdown and its after-effects!](https://zahidjavali.com/economic-slowdown-and-its-after-effects/): Here is a cool forward making the rounds on the Internet… I am never really a fan of jokes forwarded to me, but this one is cerebral and truly a reflection of our times… They will make you laugh and think at the same time. Happy reading and assimilating! PART 1 1.    Ali Baba and the forty thieves are now Ali Baba and the thirty thieves. Ten were laid off   2. Batman and Robin are now Batman and Pedro. Batman fired Robin and hired Pedro because Pedro was willing to work twice the hours at the same rate   […] - [Voting in the good, voting out the bad!](https://zahidjavali.com/voter-faqs/): Everything you wanted to know about Voter Registration, but didn’t know whom to ask… This piece talks about our inability to voice concerns, campaign for what is right and ensure healthy governance through the power to vote. I won’t dwell too much about why your vote is important. Instead, I will try and answer the most frequently asked questions by election pessimists… Politics is the last resort of scoundrels. So why should I vote and encourage such a breed? That’s just a quotable quote that people love to use. However, if you need to make changes at the grassroot level and […] - [>Want to see the future?](https://zahidjavali.com/want-to-see-the-future/): >The other day, I saw this film called Next starring Nicolas Cage. Other than being an edge of the seat entertainer, it drove home one point that made sense. It said, everytime you see the future, it changes, and that changes everything else. How? You ask? Well, the film was about this man who could see what happens to him two minutes before it actually happens. The rest of the film is how he tries to avoid getting hit because of it and how the FBI is after him, so he can prevent a nuclear disaster from happening by alerting them […] - [Nokia 5800 is a steal!](https://zahidjavali.com/nokia-5800-is-a-steal/): It’s not as heavy as other touchscreen phones but has many capabilities of the iPhone at a much lesser price. What works for it is the 8GB memory card that allows you to listen to 6000 sound tracks and the Carl Zeiss lens that comes with its 3.2MP camera with AF/Flash. Added features like the GPS, Wifi and 3G make this phone rock in the medium-range segment. And yes, it takes better photos, comes unlocked and even records videos unlike the iPhone. The one-touch access to music, photos, videos, motion-sensing games and the Internet makes it all the more convenient. Not to mention, […] - [How to safeguard your laptop](https://zahidjavali.com/how-to-safeguard-your-laptop/): There are a host of security options available – from locks to data encryption to online tracking of your notebook – to help you keep it that way. According to crime surveys, more dollars are lost due to notebook-PC theft than from any other computer crime, barring viruses. So what can you do to avoid becoming a statistic? Here are some devices that address security at all levels – from physical theft to stolen information. Locks with keys Most notebooks come with a locking port that you can connect to cable locks. Consider one of these: If you need to step […] - [Top 4 Christmas movies from Hollywood](https://zahidjavali.com/top-4-christmas-movies-from-hollywood/): HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS 1966, 53 mins. Director: Chuck Jones Forget director Ron Howard’s ill-conceived, live-action version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The only cinematic take the story needed was released as an animated television special in 1966. It covered the exploits of ‘The Grinch’, who has lost his spirit for Christmas over the years and his only goal in life now is to rid the world of Christmas joy. It clocks at only 26 minutes as a TV cartoon, but it still is able to pack a great little story into that time. It is lusty, garishly coloured […] - [Top gadgets of 2008!](https://zahidjavali.com/top-gadgets-of-2008/): NOKIA 5800 XPRESSMUSIC Rs 21,839 She’s arrived at last, the 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia’s tardy entry into the touchscreen phone space. Appropriately nicknamed the Tube, the device has a number of Nokia peculiarities that could appeal to certain sensibilities. The LCD itself is certainly impressive, at 640 x 360. Purists will enjoy the dull screen surface, which certainly cuts down on glare. The 3.2 megapixel camera focuses well and takes great pictures in daylight. All of this in addition to things like GPS, WiFi and a side-loading microSD slot (there’s a free 8GB card included). It’s comfortable to hold and use with […] - [Top 4 winter blockbusters from Hollywood](https://zahidjavali.com/top-4-winter-blockbusters-from-hollywood/): BLOOD DIAMOND 143 mins, 2006; Director: Edward Zwick This is one powerful film. The shooting style is intense, mixing action with heart-wrenching drama with Leonardo DiCaprio’s faux South African accent. In one word, it’s issue-tainment – it puts the issue of conflict diamonds in the public eye. The issues may be simply put, but the brilliant action sequences engage us viscerally. This film is about Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), a mercenary in South Africa searching for diamonds. Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), a fisherman, who is also in search of a diamond, is also looking for his son who is kidnapped. Both […] - [Slumdog Millionaire isn't the best work of AR Rahman, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan and Gulzar](https://zahidjavali.com/slumdog-millionaire-isnt-the-best-work-of-ar-rahman-anil-kapoor-irrfan-khan-and-gulzar/): Much has been said about Danny ‘Trainspotting’ Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, its Golden Globe win, and its 10 Oscar nominations, and the fact that it’s India’s triumph just as it is a Britisher’s. However, it isn’t an Indian film to begin with. So we shouldn’t be all too happy that we are being recognised at the world’s highest cinematic platform. It’s a straight-out Hollywood film that manages to capture the soul of Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup’s book Q&A, and does everything else to make it their own. And this begins with the name of the protagonist in the book, Ram Mohammed Thomas […] - [Why Ghajini shouldn't be an all-time blockbuster](https://zahidjavali.com/why-ghajini-shouldnt-be-an-all-time-blockbuster/): The stupendous success of Aamir Khan starrer Ghajini (it made Rs 200 crore worldwide at last count and is recognised as an all-time Bollywood blockbuster) is making me wonder if the film really deserved it. Here is why I think it isn’t really a great film: 1. It’s not an original story. The main premise of ‘short term memory loss’ is lifted from the Hollywood film, Memento. 2. It’s a very violent film and can only encourage many more filmmakers to revive the action/violence genre, which isn’t a good thing in today’s terrorist-ridden times. 3. It’s not really the best performance […] - [Models, Bollywood actresses into big-time prostitution](https://zahidjavali.com/models-bollywood-actress-into-big-time-prostitution/): The new year is when high class prostitution is at its peak all around and Bollywood isn’t excluded. Several models and upcoming Bollywood actresses capitalise on it to make quick bucks, so they can live the rest of the year in relative comfort. If they charge in lakhs for every night of pleasure on New Year’s eve, their rate comes down to Rs 25,000 on non-peak months like February and March. And if they are relatively new to this profession, they even charge Rs 5,000 per night. One such actress happens to be Gulshan Sharma (see picture) who won the Miss […] - [>Psychic storm ahead... protect yourself](https://zahidjavali.com/psychic-storm-ahead-protect-yourself/): >My dear friend and guide Tarun has sent me this alert. Pls take due precautions and ensure you are not caught offguard by this raging psychic storm this year…. The news is that a psychic storm is brewing. And it’s not a physical one. It’s nothing but dark, heavy murky energy. An energy of despair and choking frustration and hurt. It’s full force will be felt in the next three days. Then it should blow over in a few days. So what can we do about it?1. Protect & Clear.2. Wear shields.3. Expect the inexplicable.4. Put off arguments. And confrontations.5. Avoid […] - [Director Subhash Ghai should retire from Bollywood](https://zahidjavali.com/director-subhash-ghai-should-retire-from-bollywood/): After disasters like Kisna, Black & White, and Yuvvraaj, I feel Subhash Ghai should either launch new faces in the field of direction under his production banner or retire gracefully. If these two options don’t appeal to him, then he should atleast try to think out of the box, go on a self-imposed exile and come back with a fresh approach to filmmaking. And for this, he needs to research his new film-viewing audience, which as reports suggest comprises more youngsters than old. Once he gets his target group right, his filmmaking techniques will also get finetuned automatically and eventually he […] - [Which is the best movie to watch out for in 2009?](https://zahidjavali.com/which-is-the-best-movie-to-watch-out-for-in-2009/): I am eagerly awaiting Shah Rukh Khan’s Billo Barber, Sanjay Dutt’s Munnabhai Chale Amrika and Akshay Kumar’s Chandni Chowk To China. Amitabh Bachchan’s Aladdin. Hrithik Roshan’s Dilly 6. Emraan Hashmi’s Raaz – The Mystery Continues and Salman Khan-Govinda’s Main Aur Mrs Khanna. What films are you looking out for? - [Are some Indian actors really Hollywood stars?](https://zahidjavali.com/are-some-indian-actors-really-hollywood-stars/): There is much frenzy whenever an Indian actor gets picked by English filmmakers. The truth is, most of these are independent filmmakers and not big Hollywood studios. Therefore, first of all, they are not going to be Hollywood actors. They are merely international stars. The only actress to have truly gone Hollywood is Aishwarya Rai (Pink Panther 2, The Mistress of Spices, Bride and Prejudice) and most recently, Mallika Sherawat with The Myth (but even she had a blink-and-you-miss role). Every other actress, be it Shriya Saran or Sneha Ullal, aren’t really acting in Hollywood movies. Sometimes, it is good to […] - [Will Ghajini's Asin be a competition to other Bollywood actresses?](https://zahidjavali.com/will-ghajinis-asin-be-a-competition-to-other-bollywood-actresses/): There is much talk about Ghajini’s monster opening at the box office (it raked in Rs 192 crore worldwide in just two weeks) and the appeal of its lead actress Asin. While she is already a star in the south, there is now talk that she could dwarf other Bollywood heroines like Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif. I have seen Asin in Ghajini and feel she is a competent actress who got very lucky with Aamir’s Ghajini. If this kind of monster luck continues to be with her, she could very well dwarf other heroines within no time. She might not […] - [Blind STD booth operator doubles as a ‘madam’](https://zahidjavali.com/blind-std-booth-operator-doubles-as-a-madam/): ‘Phone booths serve as convenient storefronts for city prostitutes’. This was one of my best stories in the year 2000. Here is an extract from it… THE STORY WENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS… It has come to light that several phone booths including ones in City Market, JP Nagar, MG Road, NR Road and Vyalikaval are functioning as fronts for the flesh trade, bringing a whole new meaning to the abbreviation ‘STD’. This reporter posed as a ‘client’ from Mumbai at one such STD booth near Town Hall and was actually able to enter into negotiations with the ‘madam’ and two prostitutes. […] - [Ace lensman Sudhir Ramchandran un-spools himself](https://zahidjavali.com/ace-lensman-sudhir-ramchandran-un-spools-himself/): What you study to be and what you eventually become sometimes has no connection. Take a look at microbiologist-turned-photographer Sudhir Ramchandran’s life. Ramachandran (50) grew up in the United Republic of Tanzania. Later he came to Kerala to get a degree in Microbiology. He returned to East Africa to teach the subject and got back to India three years later in 1975. And ever since, he has let his camera talk for him in ad campaigns, interior and travel photography. His bio-data reveals that he has won national awards for advertising photography every year since 1980. He was the President of […] - [The Chess International Club of Bangalore](https://zahidjavali.com/the-chess-international-club-of-bangalore/): Located on the third floor of the State Youth Centre (Yavanika) on Nrupatunga Road, the Chess International Club of Bangalore was set up in 1983 for Bangalore’s chess buffs. The club, based in the ‘Hobby Hall’, today has over 2000 members. Parviz Abdulla, a city-based realtor, has been running the club for over two decades. He is also the Vice President of the club. A great chess buff himself, Parviz is also a State-level chess player. “This club is for the chess lovers. The only criterion for membership is a love of this wonderful game. Since childhood, I was always interested […] - [Aphrodisiacs for you!](https://zahidjavali.com/aphrodisiacs-for-you/): Here is a full course aphrodisiac meal to rekindle the flames… So what are you waiting for? Put that apron on. And start cooking. We got here a list of aphrodisiac recipes compiled by the best in Bangalore, a full course meal of love. We’ve got everything from a Whitehouse Recipe (no poached interns here just poached oysters) to a spicy Vanilla Heater (recommended when the lights are dim). The Salad Ingredients and Method: Throw together one diced cucumber, ½ tsp ajwain, grapes, ½ cup raisins, lime juice, fresh cream, honey (1 tbsp), and dill leaves. And there you have it… […] - [Sushma Swaraj loves fiction and poetry!](https://zahidjavali.com/sushma-swaraj-loves-fiction-and-poetry/): SUSHMA SWARAJ, the 56-year-old charismatic Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader known for her gift of the gab, is the machine gun-mouth of the political outfit. She was earlier a lawyer in the Supreme Court and later went on to become the youngest cabinet minister of the country at the age of 25 years. When Swaraj is not spending time with her 25-year-old daughter Bansuri and dog Rakshak, she curls up with the Bhagavad-Gita, she told this writer when he met her way back in 2000. Here are a few excerpts from the brief tete a tete… What are you reading these […] - [Jeffrey’s Archer’s ‘To cut a long story short’](https://zahidjavali.com/jeffreys-archers-to-cut-a-long-story-short/): When I was in college, my lecturer used to say, “The king and the queen died is a story. The king died but the queen died of grief is a plot.” Apply it to Jeffrey Archer, the master storyteller, and you will agree that the story should read: ‘The king died and the queen died. But both were later found to be alive.’ His tales with a twist have enthralled readers across the globe. I have read all his short story collections from the very first ‘A Quiver Full of Arrows’ and ‘A Twist in the Tale’ to ‘Twelve Red Herrings’ […] - [The 'casting couch' and actress Ruchita Prasad](https://zahidjavali.com/the-casting-couch-and-actress-ruchita-prasad/): The infamous ‘casting couch’ is alive and well in the Indian film industry. This extract from my report way back in 1999 gives you a macro picture of the sordid state of affairs that have been around even before we were born! In 1999, actress Ruchita Prasad figured prominently in the movie directors’ Most Unwanted list. The reason, she said, at the time, was that she refused to have ‘dinner’ with them. Tracing the history of the ‘casting couch’, she told this writer that it all started when she played the role of a prostitute’s daughter to perfection in her very […] - [Matrimonial centre in Bangalore uses ‘genetic tests’ to determine compatibility](https://zahidjavali.com/matrimonial-centre-in-bangalore-uses-genetic-tests-to-determine-compatibility/): Genetic engineering has entered Bangalore’s marriage market. No longer will prospective marriage partners seek knowledge from the stars… horoscopes, gotharams, panchaangams and so on… to determine if the baby will be bouncy and healthy. Instead couples will have to get ready to reveal the secrets of their genes. “In future, prospective couples need to be matched with their blood groups, not by their horoscopes,” says B Rajendra of Kaakateeya Matrimonial Wing. His centre in Basaveshwarnagar provides the additional option of ‘genetic tests’ to would-be brides and grooms. “It’s an option that people can go for, but not compulsory.” Tests will be […] - [Ghosts, spirits and a quickened heart beat](https://zahidjavali.com/ghosts-spirits-and-a-quickened-heart-beat/): A smoker who had just quit started experiencing heightened heart beat rate during the early mornings. When he went to an energy healer, he was diagnosed with a multiple set of problems. He had some past life issue. He was suffering from black magic. And he was driven to greed. The healing went on for two sessions, each lasting an hour. Alongwith the first healing, he was asked to keep salt water bowls in his bedroom in the four corners. He felt no quickening of his pulse that night. However, it returned to haunt him a few days later. Even the […] - [Reruns keeping theatres occupied](https://zahidjavali.com/reruns-keeping-theatres-occupied/): Reruns have become the order of the day in north India, particularly places like Faridabad, Kanpur, Jaipur, Indore and Thane. Some of the films that have already been shown on TV and are still being screened on the big screens include blockbusters like Dabangg, Ghajini, Three Idiots and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Some films that will soon make a TV debut and still being screened in theatres include Yamla Pagla Deewana and Band Baaja Baarat. With several films, though promising and ‘hatke’ like 7 Khoon Maaf and Yeh Saali Zindagi, making it to the theatres, most of them could fill […] - [Tanu Weds Manu is passable](https://zahidjavali.com/tanu-weds-manu-is-passable/): Tanu Weds Manu is a hit in Punjab and above average across India. It’s likely to cross lifetime business of Rs 40 crore after taxes. Which is quite good for all involved – producers, distributors, and actors Kangna Ranaut and Madhavan. Though the story has shades of Jab We Met, it does hold on it’s own and makes for a good timepass evening. The story does suffer from poorly sketched characters, it still makes do with some honest performances by Madhavan and even Kangna. If you have nothing else to watch, this is a good bet. Happy viewing. Posted by Wordmobi - [Creative visualisation](https://zahidjavali.com/creative-visualisation/): The other day I read Creative Visualisation, a self help book by Shakti Gawain. Among all the books that I have read in this genre, this is the best. It’s simple and yet very powerful. The techniques and exercises given here can make you a super human being. All you need is faith and a meditative bent of mind. This book beats books by such luminaries as louise hay, betty shine, brian weiss, wayne dyar and walsh. Pray why? Coz it explains and summarizes the various techniques in the market and offers remedies to everyday problems with daily affirmations and creative […] - [Smartphone crashes](https://zahidjavali.com/smartphone-crashes/): Do you find your smartphone restarting on its own or freezing? Here are some of the reasons why… 1. Delete the most recent apps you downloaded. Some apps, particularly the ones from getjar.com have apps that contain bugs which crash your phone. 2. Update your phone’s firmware. If it’s getting difficult to do it yourself online, go to the nearest service centre. They usually do it within an hour. 3. If your phone is freezing, it could be coz of the bugs in the games you’ve downloaded or you are trying to run games not so compatible with your phone’s model. […] - [Defrag and bootscan](https://zahidjavali.com/defrag-and-bootscan/): If your computer or laptop is using up a lot more memory than usual, it could be because you haven’t been defragging your Hard drives. Weekly defrags will help you save valuable GBs of memory space and keep your computer from slowing down. Similarly, if you want to pre-empt viruses from making registry or system entries, download the free Avast anti-virus and enable bootscan on startup. This should insulate you from malware and also make your computer boot faster. Happy computing! Posted by Wordmobi - [Car Spa: Fantastic service](https://zahidjavali.com/car-spa-fantastic-service/): The Car Spa has three branches in Bangalore. I decided to check out their service one morning at their Sarjapur Road branch and came away pleasantly surprised. The attention to detail, the way the service personnel go about cleaning and ventilating your car makes you proud to be a car owner. And you end up tipping the people who worked so hard for the last couple of hours. And what did they do, you ask? Upholstery cleaning, vacuuming the interiors, cleaning the AC vents, polishing vehicle interiors and exteriors, under carriage cleaning, and what have you? Once done, you car glows […] - [Airtel GPRS scam](https://zahidjavali.com/airtel-gprs-scam/): Airtel sure knows how to defraud its customers. When you sign up for the 2GB GPRS plan, you are sent Airtel Live settings. You promptly save it and go about surfing the Internet. And then, you end up with one problem. Nokia Messaging doesn’t work with Airtel Live. You wonder if it’s the handset problem and keep re-starting your Nokia E71 to see if this resolves. But no. Neither this nor Internet Radio. You can’t get both to work at all. One month passes and there is still no solution. Everything else works, though. Be it Opera Mobile, Snaptu, Google Maps, […] - [127 Hours](https://zahidjavali.com/127-hours/): The movie isn’t a patch on Slumdog Millionaire or any of Boyle’s previous films. It’s 93 minutes of torture, really. So what comes unstuck here? Several things. 1. The film makes for a 10-minute short film to be exhibited at film festivals and competitions. Not a full-length film. 2. The film isn’t entertaining after the protagonist’s right hand gets sandwiched between a boulder and a canyon wall. 3. The few comic interludes do nothing to elevate the film to any higher level. 4. At the end, you realise that this could just be one of the You Tube videos that do […] - [Lifetime Achievement Awards](https://zahidjavali.com/lifetime-achievement-awards/): Many senior actors abhor the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ awards, particularly when they are still happy acting out their real-life fantasies in reel life. Some find it embarassing. Some absent from it, the moment they hear that they are nominated. And others, don’t want to show their fallen faces and remain locked up at home. So what makes these awards so unpopular? For one, winning this award means a signal from the film industry and the powers that be that you should retire NOW. Two, winning this award is an age-thing. When most senior stars still feel young and romance with women less […] - [Film awards: Are they a scam?](https://zahidjavali.com/film-awards-are-they-a-scam/): Aamir Khan set the trend by not attending any of the award ceremonies being trumpeted about by such luminaries as Filmfare, Screen, Stardust and so on. Today, every other entity wants to award filmstars, be it a publication, a film guild, a fan group, an NGO, a gutkha company or a TV channel. The result: ennui. And yet, everyone wants an award. And the best part? You can actually purchase it. So how do the award organisers make quick bucks? By getting big ticket players to attend and perform at award functions. And how can you win an award? By being […] - [When journalists become filmmakers…](https://zahidjavali.com/when-journalists-becomes-filmmakers/): 2010 could well be called the year of Indian journalists in Bollywood. Two journalists did the industry proud even though they didn’t belong to any filmi khandaan. I am talking about Anusha Rizvi and her successful film Peepli [Live] and Subhash Kapoor’s Phas Gaya Re Obama. Both films were rooted in the rural hinterland, but made a global statement. While Peepli was honoured at international festivals, Phas Gaya was a surprise at the multiplexes in the Indian metros. Coincidentally, the film’s release coincided with Obama’s visit to India. From journalists becoming authors to lobbyists to filmmakers, they have managed to spread […] - [Phas Gaya Re Obama impresses](https://zahidjavali.com/phas-gaya-re-obama-impresses/): The other day, I saw Phas Gaya Re Obama on TV, and was quite impressed. It’s an engaging drama about thieves stung by recession and how they realise the NRI they have kidnapped for ransom is of no good. What follows is a series of entertaining situations in which the NRI goes one up on the meanies and comes away unscathed and also gets out of the economic mess that he was in. This Subhash Kapoor directed film is both contemporary and entertaining at the same time. And as always, the casting is apt. Sanjay Mishra as a smalltown gangster plays […] - [2010: The year in review](https://zahidjavali.com/2010-the-year-in-review/): As we move into 2011, I thought of sharing my key moments of the year gone by. 2010 was a special year. A lot happened in my life. I got even more comfortable working independently. I focussed a tad more on my writing and reading, thanks to the Just Books library chain and the ereader app on my phone. In addition to the five publications I wrote before (The Man, Live IT, Windows & Aisles, Worldstart Inc, Travel & Shop), I began writing regular columns for magazines like M, Exhibit and Yuva, besides MJ Akbar’s weekend newspaper The Sunday Guardian published […] - [Bollywood whispers...](https://zahidjavali.com/bollywood-whispers/): Leander Paes is getting the heebie-jeebies with his debut role in Rajdhani Express. Aamir Khan going underground to guard his new hairstyle for his upcoming film to be directed by Reema Kagti of ‘Honeymoon Travels’ fame. Manisha Koirala is breaking up with her Nepalese businessman husband because she cannot keep herself from her innumerable exes. Kiran Rao, Aamir Khan’s wife, is thinking of making her second film on TV reality shows. Akshay Kumar donated half a crore to Salman Khan’s Being Human Foundation that works with special children. Lara Dutta will don a new look in Don 2. Malaika Arora Khan […] - [Congress: Free falling?](https://zahidjavali.com/congress-free-falling/): It looks like the Congress is losing its sheen. It has already lost it in Karnataka, and now it’s losing it across the country with the 2G spectrum scam. Allocating frequencies at much lower price than the market value, former telecom minister A Raja is already in the soup. Rumour is rife that the leak which led to this disclosure happened from deep within the Congress. Fingers are pointing towards one key person: Union home minister P Chidambaram. Pray why? Because the Congress wanted to bring the Karunanidhi juggernaut to a complete halt. But why, you ask? Because it wants to […] - [Tron Legacy is a tech gimmick](https://zahidjavali.com/tron-legacy-is-a-tech-gimmick/): Tron Legacy pioneers a parallel digital universe of what goes on inside computer circuitry. It’s a novel concept where the protagonist gets sucked into it completely. His vision is to create a world of a perfect universe. But his partner has other plans. The result: He is trapped by his partner in the choppy waters of a digital world gone wrong. You don’t have to be aware of the Tron Legacy videogame to know what’s going on. But the film fails terribly. While the tech is definitely eye-catching, there is nothing else going for it to make it truly worth it. […] - [Guzaarish & Tees Maar Khan disappoint; Band Baaja Baaraat continues to do well](https://zahidjavali.com/guzaarish-band-baaja-baaraat-continues-to-do-well/): It has been a disappointing fortnight for me. All the films I saw have dampened my new year spirits. First off was from Hollywood: Tron Legacy. Though the film was a fantastical sci-fi adventure, there was nothing else to keep me glued to the big screen. Next came Guzaarish. You can feel the richness of the production, particularly the dinner table magician’s acts. But the film lost my attention five minutes down the line and ennui set in pronto. I was drawn to watching it because a friend recommended it highly for the Hrithik-Aishwarya pairing. But the pairing fails to sizzle. […] - [Tees Maar Khan disappoints hugely](https://zahidjavali.com/tees-maar-khan-disappoints-hugely/): Tees Maar Khan, the third directorial film from Farah Khan disappoints. Scripted and written by her husband Shirish Kunder, this film is a wash-out after the impressive title sequence. The film is a no-brainer, but that is fine so long as it’s entertaining. But even that is in short supply. Some of the lines are clever, but not something that will make you laugh out loud. But yes, there is one exception: Akshaye Khanna. His imitation of an actor who lives the character he’s portraying – a freedom fighter – does make you laugh out loud. But that is not the […] - [Apple devices and their ‘network connection timeout’ error](https://zahidjavali.com/apple-devices-and-their-network-connection-timeout-error/): I was suffering from a ‘ network connection timed out’ error everytime I tried to update my iPod Touch software. I went online looking for an answer and finally found one that worked. If any of your are having similar problems with your iphones, ipods and ipads, here are a few troubleshooting tips that might work: 1. Disable the Apple device’s auto lock function in the ‘Settings’ menu. 2. Disable your Windows Firewall and all your anti-virus programmes temporarily. 3. If all this fails, do what worked for me. Download the software from sites like softpedia and later upgrade your Apple […] - [Top 14 movies of 2010](https://zahidjavali.com/top-14-movies-of-2010/): Going by the box office data available so far, these films are among the top ten. Not necessarily in the same order, though. How many have you watched and loved really? I will tell you mine against each film… Dabangg: This would qualify as the biggest hit of 2010 that even beat the collections of 3 Idiots in some circuits. I found the film ‘paisa vasool’ but nothing impressive. It’s just good time pass, thanks to Salman Khan’s antics and body language. Golmaal 3: This film by Rohit Shetty did quite well, though I found it to be no patch on […] - [Tees Maar Khan, a hit already?](https://zahidjavali.com/tees-maar-khan-a-hit-already/): Tees Maar Khan, Farah Khan’s next directorial magnum opus after Om Shanti Om in 2007, is already proving to be a monster hit. PVR sold over 10,000 tickets on Wednesday, the first day of the film’s advance booking. And today, reports mention that most multiplexes and single screens have recorded 100% attendance for the morning show. I can vouch for that. When I tried to book a ticket yesterday for today, there was not a seat available at Bangalore’s multiplexes. However, I did manage to book a ticket for Saturday’s morning show. Which means, it all boils down to what people […] - [Anushka Sharma third time lucky](https://zahidjavali.com/anushka-sharma-third-time-lucky/): Rab Ne girl Anushka Sharma is proving to be Bollywood’s newest ladyluck after Katrina Kaif. And the best part? Anushka can act and she is not stereotyped in a role. From her bubbly and poignant portrayal of a bored housewife to a hottie smuggler in Badmaash Company, she has excelled in every role. And her latest role of an ambitious wedding planner in Band Baaja Baarat is a typical Yash Raj film and yet different because the concept was new and the script had enough twists to keep you glued, entertained and inspired. Kudos Anushka. Reminds me of the first time […] - [Perils of witchcraft](https://zahidjavali.com/perils-of-witchcraft-2/): The other day, I read a newspaper report that two women were burnt alive for practising witchcraft. Which brings up the question? Is it a sane thing to do? And does witchcraft really hurt people? That it has stood the test of time from the prehistoric days shows witchcraft’s power of sustenance. No one would give it a try if it didn’t work. And worst still is black magic. It’s very easy to become a bad person and do bad things. But is it so difficult to remain a good person and practice white magic, which is all about spreading love […] - [iPod Touch kills time like no other](https://zahidjavali.com/ipod-touch-kills-time-like-no-other/): The new iPod Touch 4G is the perfect way to kill time. And sometimes, you need such a thing. However, addiction to it isn’t such a good idea. But that’s how I found myself when I bought the iPod a few months ago. Here are a few ways it turns you into an addict: 1. The 3-lakh plus apps at The Apple Store. Just wading through them everyday can kill time effortlessly. And some apps wow you like nothing else. But more on those cool apps in a different post. 2. The crystal clear screen resolution that is double the number […] - [Ways to rollback petrol price hike?](https://zahidjavali.com/ways-to-rollback-petrol-price-hike/): Fiscal deficit is killing our country… in the long run. There was subsidy on diesel to benefit farmers in India, so they could run their pump sets and generators. But today, most farmers rely on electricity, making the diesel subsidy a farce. So who is using diesel? You and me. But who is benefiting most? Proprietors of SUVs and transport firms that have become the primary users of diesel. So how can the government cut their fiscal deficit? Stop subsidising diesel. This way, they can partly roll-back the fuel price hike announced yesterday. In hindsight, was deregulation such a good idea? […] - [>Perils of witchcraft](https://zahidjavali.com/perils-of-witchcraft/): >The other day, I read a newspaper report that two women were burnt alive for practising witchcraft. Which brings up the question? Is it a sane thing to do? And does witchcraft really hurt people? That it has stood the test of time from the prehistoric days shows witchcraft’s power of sustenance. No one would give it a try if it didn’t work. And worst still is black magic. It’s very easy to become a bad person and do bad things. But is it so difficult to remain a good person and practice white magic, which is all about spreading love […] - [Shah Rukh Khan’s autobiography](https://zahidjavali.com/shah-rukh-khans-autobiography/): Bollywood superstar is busy writing his autobiography even as he performs at award functions and shoots for RA1, his sci-fi film slated for 2011 Diwali release. A biography on him has already been done, and film critics find it “really good” and much to their liking. So when I proposed the idea of another biography on him, they said there’s already a recently released biography, and a good one at that. My question to them? Why can’t there be more than one good biography on SRK? After all, the superstar deserves atleast half a dozen good tomes on him. Technorati Tags: […] - [Band Baaja Baaraat is drumming up an audience](https://zahidjavali.com/band-baaja-baaraat-is-drumming-up-an-audience/): Heard that Yash Raj Films’s latest small budget movie Band Baaja Baaraat is doing well after a slow start on Friday. What’s more, it is supposed to have already doubled its profit through music, cable TV rights and so on. With the theatrical earnings crossing Rs 5 crore over its first weekend, it’s likely to be an average grosser, too. Looks like the ‘Rab Ne’ girl Anushka Sharma is the girl with the Midas touch like Katrina Kaif. All her films have been a success at the box office, including her last venture, Badmaash Company. And yes, Anushka is a good […] - [Mind Blogs 1.0 going great guns](https://zahidjavali.com/mind-blogs-10-going-great-guns/): Mind Blogs 1.0, my first published book with two other author friends, has sold over 200 copies in just 50 days. That’s a good sign. What is even better is that distributors feel it’s got a national feel and can go international because India is on the world map these days. If you want to know more on the book and how to buy it, visit mindblogs1.wordpress.com. Happy reading. - [Golmaal 3 surprises](https://zahidjavali.com/golmaal-3-surprises/): Golmaal 3 has grossed over Rs 100 crore after taxes from Indian theatrical business alone. Surprising because it is no patch to the first part. Surprising coz it lacks story depth. Surprising coz it is just a series of gags masquerading as film. Surprising that Kareena has lost her size zero and looking fab. - [Mind Blogs 1.0 features alternative healing techniques](https://zahidjavali.com/mind-blogs-1-0-features-alternative-healing-techniques-2/): Mind Blogs 1.0 is my first published book of anecdotes that features serendipitous moments and revelations that could interest readers of Astro Freak. Some of the subjects include Betty Shine’s healing technique, dream analysis, aura reading and tips on how to heal your life. Read more about it in the new book, Mind Blogs 1.0. Mind Blogs 1.0 is a non fictional book brought out by my custom publishing firm, Write Wing Media. This book is in collaboration with two other Bangalore writers – Christina Daniels and Nirmala Govindarajan. The slugline reads: Three Bangalore writers go offtrack and find themselves. If […] - [Shah Rukh Khan in Mind Blogs 1.0](https://zahidjavali.com/shah-rukh-khan-in-mind-blogs-10/): Did you know that I met Shah Rukh Khan and alerted him on two threats to his life? Well, read more about it in the new book, Mind Blogs 1.0. Mind Blogs 1.0 is a non fictional book of anecdotes and essays brought out by my custom publishing firm, Write Wing Media. This book is in collaboration with two other writers – Christina Daniels and Nirmala Govindarajan. The slugline reads: Three Bangalore writers go offtrack and find themselves. If that’s making you ask what’s the book about, just visit the book blog (<strong>http://mindblogs1.wordpress.com</strong>) and know more on how you can make […] - [Mind Blogs 1.0: My first published book is out on stands](https://zahidjavali.com/mind-blogs-10-my-first-published-book-is-out-on-stands/): Titled ‘Mind Blogs 1.0’, this is my first non fictional book brought out by my custom publishing house. Co-authored by two of my writer friends – Christina Daniels & Nirmala Govindarajan, the book is a mix of anecdotes and essays. The slugline reads: Three Bangalore writers go offtrack and find themselves. If that’s making you ask what’s the book about, just visit the book blog (http://mindblogs1.wordpress.com) and know more on how you can make it your own and also be part of its sequel. The book is brought out by Write Wing Media, my Bangalore-based firm and is priced at Rs […] - [Small films are here again](https://zahidjavali.com/small-films-are-here-again/): It’s the return of small films yet again. While biggies like Kites and Raavan bombed at the box office, small outings like Tere Bin Laden and Ishqiya did well. Goes to show that today quality scores over big budgets, hype and false hysteria. If 3 IDIOTS was a bad film, all the money on its nationwide publicity would have gone down the cinematic drain. And what a film that was. Seen it thrice already. And it still evokes laughter and respect. For its craft, writing, message and effort. Take a bow Rajkumar Hirani, Aamir, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani . […] - [Bollywood in crisis](https://zahidjavali.com/bollywood-in-crisis/): Bollywood’s new releases, though not mediocre haven’t excited the masses. Which means, only My Name Is Khan is the biggest hit of 2010 so far. Followed distantly by Ishqiya, Athithi Tum Kab Jaoge and Veer. All other films, though appreciated by critics, haven’t set the cash registers jingling. And they include Vikram Bhat’s horror thriller Shaapit, Khosla Ka Ghosla director’s Love Sex Aur Dhoka, international award winning film Lahore and Road, Movie. Sad, but true. Goes to show that a big star cast, entertaining script and a comical fantasy is the need of the times. Posted by Wordmobi - [Twitter takes over blogging](https://zahidjavali.com/twitter-takes-over-blogging/): Ever since Twitter bowled me over with it’s 140 character functionality, blogging has taken a back seat. It’s good and bad. Good, because there are many things that go unsaid because you either don’t have the time to blog or don’t find it good enough for a blog post. Twitter breaks those restrictions…. The more irreverent and personal, the better chance of tweeting the idea. It’s an opinion and idea bin that everyone can be part of. In a few months, I have over 1500 tweets and over 300 followers. Sometimes, I tweet 25 times a day and sometimes zilch. It […] - [Traditional Indian music, a hit at Fireflies Festival](https://zahidjavali.com/traditional-indian-music-a-hit-at-fireflies-festival/): On the weekend past, I found myself dancing like a fool amongst a group of men dressed and painted from head to toe as Tigers, while a manic drummer bashed away on his skins beside me faster than a humming bird flaps its wings. I was at the Fireflies Music Festival set amongst the Fireflies Ashram about 30 km out of Bangalore. I’ve not been to an Indian music event before, but this, featuring a fusion of new styles and traditional, was fantastic! Let me describe the scene… Situated at the bottom of a small but steep hill, and in front […] - [That’s Just not Sport!](https://zahidjavali.com/thats-just-not-sport/): I find it so frustrating that all of our favourite sporting events are being exploited by terrorists and used as weapons of fear and uncertainty. This week we’ve seen the terror attacks in Pune, and a former Pakistani commando associated with Al-Qaeda has warned international sports players not to take part in any Indian sports events, including the 2010 Hockey World Cup, the IPL, and the Commonwealth games in Delhi in October. Sport is one of the few things in this world that really does bring people of different nationalities, religions, race and background together. Sure, things can get heated on […] - [Back to the i-Future](https://zahidjavali.com/back-to-the-i-future/): Do you ever feel a bit overwhelmed by technology? Sometimes I think the world may actually soon start looking like it does in old movies and TV shows set in the distant future. You know, the ones in which people ride in flying cars, talk to holograms, and have computer chips inside their heads? Well, we don’t have flying cars yet, but in many ways I think we have technologies today that are far more advanced than any movie director in the 1960’s could have ever thought of – just look at the internet, and the iPhone! And on the topic […] - [The ‘Ghost Ship’](https://zahidjavali.com/the-ghost-ship-2/): One week ago, a chilling story came out of Australia when a 40ft Catamaran was drifting with nobody on board, off the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland. The boat was found with its motor and computer still running, and food prepared and ready to eat sitting untouched on a table. Local and international media have jumped on the story, calling it a ‘Ghost Ship’ and have compared it to the Mary Celeste, which was found nearly 130 years ago, mysteriously floating in the Atlantic Ocean with no signs of the 10 crew members who were on board!  Now, the story […] - [Tania Zaetta and racism](https://zahidjavali.com/tania-zaetta-and-racism/): Aussie Beauty and Bollywood starlet Tania Zaetta has appealed for calm, patience, and cultural understanding, following the recent attacks on Indians in Melbourne. Zaetta, left her career as a TV presenter in Australia to pursue her dreams into Bollyowood, and has starred in the films Bunty Aur Bubli and Salaam Namaste, and most recently in Mr White & Mr Black. Zaetta told an Australian newspaper that it would be “both embarrassing and disappointing if these horrible attacks in Melbourne are purely racially motivated against Indian students”. Having spent much of the last 3 years living in Mumbai, Zaetta has obviously found […] - [Toyota in trouble](https://zahidjavali.com/toyota-in-trouble/): Have you had any problems with the breaks in your Toyota recently? Well, this week the world’s largest car manufacturer recalled nearly half a million of their hybrid model, the Prius, from places all over the world, after finding braking problems in the car. This follows two other recalls last year of up to 8million vehicles worldwide! Is Toyota losing its touch? My first car was an old blue Toyota Corolla, and despite a few rattles and shakes, it was a very trustworthy car. Even when things did go wrong, it seemed that everyone knew how to get under the bonnet, […] - [Long live the Little Master](https://zahidjavali.com/long-live-the-little-master/): While reading about India’s unfortunate performance against the South Africans this week in the first test, I realized I have been watching Sachin Tendulkar, the only batter who showed some real fight in the match, play cricket for nearly 20 years! I am an Australian, and in 1991, I was still looking forward to my ninth birthday. Like other boys my age, I loved my cricket and 1991 was also the year when Sachin, not yet the ‘Little Master’ first strode onto Australian fields and began showing us Aussies how it’s done. Tendulkar scored two centuries in that tour including an […] - [>The ‘Ghost Ship’](https://zahidjavali.com/the-ghost-ship/): >One week ago, a chilling story came out of Australia when a 40ft Catamaran was drifting with nobody on board, off the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland. The boat was found with its motor and computer still running, and food prepared and ready to eat sitting untouched on a table. Local and international media have jumped on the story, calling it a ‘Ghost Ship’ and have compared it to the Mary Celeste, which was found nearly 130 years ago, mysteriously floating in the Atlantic Ocean with no signs of the 10 crew members who were on board!  Now, the story […] - [The heart has its reasons](https://zahidjavali.com/the-heart-has-its-reasons/): Valentine’s is a funny day. People, who are normally sane, staid and composed behave strangely. Grown men are reduced to tears. Mature women become crooning babies. The very mention of a saint called Valentine causes wobbly knees and an expectant sparkle in the eye. If you are the sort who wants to honour the saint anyway, here are a few gifts that could knock the stockings off your Valentine. •    Gift her a Valentine kit that will make the art of seduction easy. Costing $275 on RedEnvelope.com, it features a Kiki Motif Instrument of Pleasure, an ergonomic, multispeed vibrator adorned with […] - [Top actors of Bollywood](https://zahidjavali.com/top-3-actors-of-bollywood/): The numbers are in for the last three years and the list of top actors in Bollywood is out… Here are the Top 12. Feel free to comment. 1. Aamir Khan: Occupies the top slot with just three films – Taare Zameen Par, Ghajini and 3 Idiots. Also called ‘God’ in industry circles today because of his overpowering star status and his penchant for good scripts and marketing wizardry. With a combined domestic nett collection (after tax) of Rs 377 crore and counting (3 Idiots is still making money), he ranks way ahead of Shah Rukh Khan, with a per film […] - [Why 3 Idiots is a money-spinner all the way!](https://zahidjavali.com/why-3-idiots-is-a-money-spinner-all-the-way/): 3 Idiots is continuing its dream run. Realistic, funny and with an accent on thinking out of the box, the film deserves all the moolah it’s making. At last count, the Indian box office collections stood at Rs 185 crore after tax. A box office record, making it an all-time blockbuster, even beating the likes of Ghajini, Gadar and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. While it’s hard to pin point reasons for its monumental success, some of the reasons for its fantastic opening include: 1. Aamir Khan’s marketing wizardry: In industry circles, he is being called ‘god’ and a marketing maverick. With […] - [Katrina Kaif unwell](https://zahidjavali.com/katrina-kaif-unwell/): Katrina Kaif is suffering from low haemoglobin count, vitamin deficiency, and is to now undergo a minor surgery. Sources say it’s over work. But then, no one died of work, you ask? Well, that’s true. But people do suffer like she is undergoing right now… I remember meeting her after a fashion show in Bangalore. Needed a few sound bytes from her. There she was sitting on the portico towards the rear door. I sidled up to her, only to find her crestfallen face. She cited fever and I asked her to take care of herself and left her alone. That […] - [Blogging from Windows Live Writer](https://zahidjavali.com/blogging-from-windows-live-writer/): After blogging directly from the WordPress account on the web and only recently from my smartphone, I am now blogging from my desktop blogging application, Windows Live Writer. The best part of this is that you can write offline and post it by setting a publishing date. What’s more, you can add pictures, maps, videos, and tags in one seamlessly integrated tool. Will let you more about this as I continue to blog from this platform. If you have something to share, feel free to leave your comments. Technorati Tags: blogger,wordpress,blogging,windows live writer - [WordMobi, the best Wordpress app for E71](https://zahidjavali.com/wordmobi-the-best-wordpress-app-for-e71/): All this while, I thought Cellspin was my solo Symbian plug-in for E71 to blog. But I was wrong. Here comes a freeware called WordMobi that allows you to blog on WordPress, including self-hosted sites like mine, using the WordPress platform. Not only is the upload quick, you can also add tags, photos, videos and personalise. You can make certain words in bold and italics for instance. Just Google it and you shall get the download link. If you find a better app for Symbian, feel free to share. - [Chetan Bhagat controversy](https://zahidjavali.com/chetan-bhagat-controversy/): The Chetan Bhagat controversy shows up two facts. That writers are getting a raw deal, even if it happens to be a famous author. Two, the greed of filmmakers like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who doesn’t want to part with the moolah… he has paid a piddling Rs 11 lakh and made over Rs 140 crore and counting. Please send flowers to Chopra and ask him to get well soon. Posted by Wordmobi - [3 Idiots crosses another milestone](https://zahidjavali.com/3-idiots-crosses-another-milestone/): 3 Idiots is breaking as many records as it is making new. And now, its second weekend nett earnings odd Rs 34.5 crore is more than the first weekend gross of all the major movies.And word is out in industry circles that Aamir is god at the Indian box office.Kudos, Aamir. Kudos, Rajkumar Hirani. You do the industry proud. - [3 Idiots is superlative entertainment](https://zahidjavali.com/3-idiots-is-superlative-entertainment/): If there is a film with a deeply moveable message and entertaining at the same time, it has to be 3 Idiots in 2009. The film rocks. While many say the second half is not as good as the first half, it’s rubbish. The film doesn’t fail to entertain you and keep you glued to the screen. The film’s USP lies in its heart-touching dialogues and the ‘munnabhai’ moments that instantly connect with you. Ten minutes through the film, and you know it’s more than the ticket’s worth. Aamir is at his ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ best while Madhavan, Sharman and Kareena […] - [Free-isms for E71](https://zahidjavali.com/free-isms-for-e71/): If you are a Nokia smartphone buff, here is one cool app you must not miss…Free-isms: runs your apps in comic blurbs like in a conversation; allows you to send fake sms from say a celebrity; schedule an sms and also flash sms where your message will flash on receiver’s screen and vanish.And yes, it’s free. So make the most of it. Just google it and you will get the download link. Happy messaging!Will let you know of more apps in my future posts. If you know of any, feel free to share in Comments. - [3 Idiots is all-time blockbuster already](https://zahidjavali.com/3-idiots-is-all-time-blockbuster-already/): Wonder what’s working for Aamir Khan… Last Christmas, Ghajini shattered all box office records. And this Xmas, 3 Idiots has shattered Ghajini’s record too. The film grossed Rs 93 crore worldwide on its first weekend and did better on Monday than Saturday. This is unheard of, unimaginable and unforeseen. Kudos, Aamir! Congrats, Rajkumar Hirani! - [Thumbs down to Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani](https://zahidjavali.com/thumbs-down-to-ajab-prem-ki-ghazab-kahani/): Since I found Ranbir Kapoor’s Wake Up Sid to be truly wonderful, I had some hope that Ajab Prem Ki… will atleast be decent. Also, it was directed by Raj Kumar Santoshi whose previous claim to comical fame was Andaz Apna Apna way back in 1994. Alas, I was so wrong. With time, there is erosion of talent for Santoshi. Not only has he lost his comical touch, he is nowhere in the top five directors of Bollywood. After Barsaat (1995), most of his action thrillers have been flops or have done just about average business like Khakee and The Legend […] - [Sei Hei Ki and salt water](https://zahidjavali.com/sei-hei-ki-and-salt-water-2/): Reacting to my post on ways to protect yourself from harmful spirits, here is what a dear friend has to say about it… “I can assist with removal of entities and attempts at fatal black magic utilizing a combination of botanical extracts and intuitive guidance. Sei Hei Ki’s (advanced reiki) align the patient; however one has to keep repeating treatments and if the person is susceptible to psychic attacks; its pretty tough. Am sensitive even to causes of death in several cases – and can name the person who has had a not so pleasant intention; but its a huge risk […] - [Paranormal Activity and why it scares you](https://zahidjavali.com/paranormal-activity-and-why-it-scares-you-2/): There are few things in life that genuinely scare you. Rash drivers, snakes, darkness, ghosts and spirits. But not every horror film really sends a shiver down your spine. Which is why it’s surprising that Paranormal Activity, a low budget independent film, has worked so well. Particularly because it’s not high on production values – it’s a home-made film made with $11,000. Which is less than one-tenth of any average Hollywood film. So what is working for the film? One, the film has its moments that will make you jump out of your skin. Two, it captures everyday moments in night […] - [>Sei Hei Ki and salt water](https://zahidjavali.com/sei-hei-ki-and-salt-water/): >Reacting to my post on ways to protect yourself from harmful spirits, here is what a dear friend has to say about it… “I can assist with removal of entities and attempts at fatal black magic utilizing a combination of botanical extracts and intuitive guidance. Sei Hei Ki’s (advanced reiki) align the patient; however one has to keep repeating treatments and if the person is susceptible to psychic attacks; its pretty tough. Am sensitive even to causes of death in several cases – and can name the person who has had a not so pleasant intention; but its a huge risk […] - [>Paranormal Activity and why it scares you](https://zahidjavali.com/paranormal-activity-and-why-it-scares-you/): >There are few things in life that genuinely scare you. Rash drivers, snakes, darkness, ghosts and spirits. But not every horror film really sends a shiver down your spine. Which is why it’s surprising that Paranormal Activity, a low budget independent film, has worked so well. Particularly because it’s not high on production values – it’s a home-made film made with $11,000. Which is less than one-tenth of any average Hollywood film. So what is working for the film? One, the film has its moments that will make you jump out of your skin. Two, it captures everyday moments in night […] - [Why E71 is a near perfect smartphone](https://zahidjavali.com/why-e71-is-truly-a-smartphone/): I have been using E71 for over two months now, after having used iPhone previously. Here is why I like E71. To begin with, it’s not a touchscreen. Adept at typing away till eternity, I find this to be my single biggest reason for using E71. Not that Iphone isn’t good. But then, I find iPhone to be doubly expensive. Two, the volume isn’t really a lot in an iphone. On the other hand, E71 can be too loud, too. But first, the BIGGEST MINUS… A very logic-heavy user interface. It will take you a good part of a week to […] - [Psychic attack? Here is what you can do...](https://zahidjavali.com/psychic-attack-here-is-what-you-can-do-2/): Every other day, I hear of spirits entering people’s homes and attacking them. This has become increasingly prevalent in suburban areas where there are fewer homes and more open grounds. Here are a few ways to keep the evil spirits at bay… 1. Salt water baths: Nothing like this technique when you feel that your soul is muddied by someone or something. Particularly useful if you’ve come back feeling queesy after attending someone’s funeral. 2. Salt water bowls: When you feel threatened or subjected to a psychic attack, do this without fail. Take a small bowl and fill it with water […] - [Crop circles and more](https://zahidjavali.com/crop-circles-and-more-2/): From ghostbusters to crop circles, this website chornicales all things supernatural. I am talking about The Supernatural World (http://www.thesupernaturalworld.com). Sample this latest post and you will know why I like it so much. There is so much detail in every report of theirs. This one is about crop circles that were made famous by Manoj Night Shyamalan’s The Signs: “In July of 1996 one of the most complex and spectacular crop circle designs ever seen appeared in a field opposite Stonehenge. The design became known as “The Julia Set” because it resembled the mathematical fractal called by that name. The formation […] - [Popular celebrity tweeters from Bollywood](https://zahidjavali.com/popular-celebrity-tweeters-from-bollywood/): Twitter has become the next best thing after Orkut, Facebook and Linkedin. If some Facebook users have become more active on Twitter, it goes to show that the new 140-character format has worked too well. What’s more, even celebrities from Bollywood have hopped on the bandwagon. Here are the most popular among them: Gul Panag (twitter ID: gulpanag): This former Miss India is the hot flavour on Twitter. So good was she with her regular Twitter updates that Lakme asked her to tweet about their Indian Fashion Week Live. If you are looking at a regular tweeter, she is the most […] - [All The Best is stomach-achingly funnee!](https://zahidjavali.com/all-the-best-is-stomach-achingly-funnee/): The first half an hour of All The Best might leave you feeling you made the wrong choice, but after that you thank yourself for choosing this over Blue, Main Aur Mrs Khanna and G-Force. The film works and brilliantly. Watch out for the second half that comes into its own. Some of the scenes are so funny that the whole theatre laughs with you. Yes, I found everyone laughing with me, unlike other films where only a few find it laugh out loud funny. Everyone is good. Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, Fardeen Khan, Asrani, Bipasha Basu, Johnny Lever, Atul Parchure, […] - [Wake Up Sid works and how](https://zahidjavali.com/wake-up-sid-works-and-how/): Ranbir Kapoor is truly the superstar of the future. He has an infectious screen presence and everything he does is just what the filmgoer ordered. Take his latest, Wake Up Sid. Not only does the film work for me, it has for the majority of filmgoers – the film is a confirmed sleeper hit. The Karan Johar produced film is truly a film for the Now generation. But the beauty of it lies in the fact that it can be just as watchable to the middle aged and the old. If nothing else, it will give them something to bridge the […] - [>Psychic attack? Here is what you can do...](https://zahidjavali.com/psychic-attack-here-is-what-you-can-do/): >Every other day, I hear of spirits entering people’s homes and attacking them. This has become increasingly prevalent in suburban areas where there are fewer homes and more open grounds. Here are a few ways to keep the evil spirits at bay… 1. Salt water baths: Nothing like this technique when you feel that your soul is muddied by someone or something. Particularly useful if you’ve come back feeling queesy after attending someone’s funeral. 2. Salt water bowls: When you feel threatened or subjected to a psychic attack, do this without fail. Take a small bowl and fill it with water […] - [>Crop circles and more](https://zahidjavali.com/crop-circles-and-more/): >From ghostbusters to crop circles, this website chornicales all things supernatural. I am talking about The Supernatural World (http://www.thesupernaturalworld.com). Sample this latest post and you will know why I like it so much. There is so much detail in every report of theirs. This one is about crop circles that were made famous by Manoj Night Shyamalan’s The Signs: “In July of 1996 one of the most complex and spectacular crop circle designs ever seen appeared in a field opposite Stonehenge. The design became known as “The Julia Set” because it resembled the mathematical fractal called by that name. The formation […] - [Windows XP better than Vista](https://zahidjavali.com/windows-xp-better-than-vista/): While Dell recommends Vista on its desktops and laptops, Windows Vista doesn’t support all the applications. This is particularly true of professionals who rely on it highly for high-end graphic design and so on. Which is why, they still prefer XP any day. However, if you are only into PhotoShop, Excel and Powerpoint and so on, Vista shouldn’t pose a problem. However, if you have 1GB RAM, then Vista cannot fly because it needs atleast 2GB to stay afloat, and experts say that a 3GB RAM is better if your system is fuelled by Vista. But since not many know of […] - [Love Aaj Kal packs a punch; surpasses Ghajini](https://zahidjavali.com/love-aaj-kal-packs-a-punch-surpasses-ghajini/): What was highly anticipated, has finally come true. Imtiaz ‘Jab We Met’ Ali’s Love Aaj Kal has lived up to its name. At some centres, it even surpassed the monster collections of Ghajini. While Kambakhht Ishq has turned out to be an ‘above average’ film and New York a confirmed ‘hit’, this one is all set to be a ‘super hit’ and the biggest hit of 2009. Why not a blockbuster, you ask? That’s because the film hasn’t done just as well at single screens. Then, why is it even a hit, you ask? Well, because the number of multiplexes in […] - [Aamir's next is a biopic on singer Geeta Dutt](https://zahidjavali.com/aamirs-next-is-a-biopic-on-singer-geeta-dutt/): Yes. The Perfectionist actor has finally agreed in principle to star as Guru Dutt while Katrina Kaif plays Waheeda Rehman, the other woman in Guru’s life. The film is to be directed by Rang De Basanti’s Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. Who plays Guru’s wife Geeta Dutt, the legendary singer, is still a mystery, but I think Aamir might go in for a new girl to play that one. After all, we are chronicling the young Geeta Dutt, who was more known for her melodious voice and not her physical presence. Why, even someone like Tabu, Sushmita Sen or Rani Mukherjee could do […] - [Aamir's evolution as an actor](https://zahidjavali.com/aamirs-evolution-as-an-actor/): A friend of mine is writing a book on Aamir Khan. Nah, it’s not an authorised or an unauthorised biography. It’s a chronicle of him as an actor – his evolution, really. While speaking to a range of people who have worked with him, one person’s quotable quote stood out during her research. The person was no one else but Aamir’s uncle Mansoor Khan who directed him in his very first film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and went on to do Akele Hum Akele Tum and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. He said that Aamir’s greatest evolution as an actor from the […] - [Rakhi Ka Swayamvar is a sham!](https://zahidjavali.com/rakhi-ka-swayamvar-is-a-sham/): Finally, my hunch has come true. How can a choosy hottie like Rakhi actually marry someone on a TV show? Ofcourse, it’s a first on Indian television and makes for some riveting entertainment (in parts), but I was not able to reconcile with the fact that the finalists on the show happened to be worthy suitors for her. If one was a Casanova in his small hometown, another was just a Road Romeo who had nothing worthy to his credit. For a self-made ‘item girl’ like Rakhi going for something ludicrous like this didn’t gel with me. My hunch was that […] - [Shah Rukh Khan's next film is Dulha Mil Gaya](https://zahidjavali.com/shah-rukh-khans-next-film-is-dulha-mil-gaya/): Ya right. SRK’s My Name is Khan release has been pushed to early next year. Which means, Khan doesn’t have even one significant release this year barring Dulha Mil Gaya where he is making a special appearance with a difference. Though he was supposed to play a bit part, producer Vivek Vaswani stretched Khan’s role and made him do more than just appear. So even while My Name Is Khan is not releasing in December 2009, they might get to watch King Khan in DMG. Shot in Malaysia, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, this film is directed by the lesser known Mudassar […] - [Top Bollywood films to look forward to...](https://zahidjavali.com/top-bollywood-films-to-look-forward-to/): Half the year has gone by with no significant films that will set the ball rolling for Bollywood. Hope the next half of 2009 will be better as many biggies are lined up towards the end of the year. With too many clashing on a few dates, films might even be pushed to early next year. Nonetheless, here is a brief overview of a few of them based on the release dates as of now: Agyaat: This Ram Gopal Varma horror flick might outdo last year’s Phoonk by a mile, so it appears. Starring Priyanka Kothari (remember Ram Gopal Varma Ki […] - [Kambakhht Ishq falls in second week](https://zahidjavali.com/kambakhht-ishq-falls-in-second-week/): This Akshay Kumar starrer may have garnered over Rs 47 crore from the first two weeks, but the film is far from being a super hit. In fact, experts say that the lifetime distributor margin which decides if the film is a hit or a flop is way below Singh is Kinng, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Race and Ghajini. Agreed, one can’t compare a film like Ghajini that was a monster hit, but then, Akshay has failed to outbeat himself from the record he set in Singh is Kinng. However, there is a silver lining. Apparently, the margin is slightly […] - [Budget reactions from the corporate world](https://zahidjavali.com/budget-reactions-from-the-corporate-world/): Here are a few budget reactions from the corporate world sent to me by the respective PR agencies. While some are lauding Pranab, others are not too happy with him. As a layman, I am only happy with Pranab for making it a rural-focussed budget. After all, a large part of India still resides in the villages. Farmer loan waiver, social security for the rural youth and focus on education is definetely something I am completely in favour of. Without further ado, here is what the corporate world has to say about Pranab’s budget: Gaurav Dua – Head Research , Sharekhan […] - [Top films of 2009](https://zahidjavali.com/top-films-of-2009/): It’s the middle of the year and Bollywood isn’t doing as great a business as last year. The first half hasn’t been that great, but yes there have been a few films that have done well at the box office. One reason for the downturn ofcourse was the 60-day strike between the producers and the multiplex owners. Here they are… 1. 99 – Yes, this comedy did come in as a breath of fresh cinematic air. Not only was this well received at the multiplexes, even the critics weren’t complaining. However, it didn’t do just as well in the many single […] - [Kambakhht Ishq surpasses Singh is Kinng and Ghajini](https://zahidjavali.com/kambakhht-ishq-surpasses-singh-is-kinng-and-ghajini/): Opening weekends have become a recent box office phenomena where the producers recover their investment. Some of the biggies that have done good of late include Om Shanti Om, Ghajini, Welcome and Singh is Kinng. Joining this list is yet another Akshay Kumar starrer Kambakhht Ishq. Not only has it surpassed Singh is Kinng on its opening day, but it also crossed the one day milestone set by Ghajini in some centres. According to the box office data, Kambakkht Ishq has grossed around Rs 24.50 crore nett including paid previews over its first weekend.  And according to the industry analysts, this […] - [Preity Zinta prefers acting over boy friend; breaks up with Ness Wadia](https://zahidjavali.com/preity-zinta-prefers-acting-over-boy-friend-breaks-up-with-ness-wadia/): When the daggers are drawn, it becomes only a question of survival. And so it was when Preity Zinta was told categorically by her beau Ness Wadia to quit acting for good. Unwilling to lose her independent status, Preity replied in the negative, and Ness called off their relationship. Apparently, this pre-condition to marriage didn’t go down well with Preity who is what she is largely due to her Bollywood career. Now that the cat is out of the proverbial bag, I wonder if Preity should have done what she did. After all, Preity’s film career isn’t going anywhere. Just because […] - [Anjelina Jolie: America's first female president?](https://zahidjavali.com/anjelina-jolie-americas-first-female-president/): Agreed Anjelina Jolie is doing some really good work through her humanitarian efforts to alleviate the pains of refugees, but it’s early days yet for her to make a serious bid at politics. However, news is that she finds Hollywood boring and has now set her sights on the White House. Yup, she wants to be part of the Obama administration and do more for the world. Some insiders even say that Anjelina could well be America’s first female president 20 years from now. Though one can’t see that far into the future, all I can say is that Anjelina has […] - [Actor Saif gets botoxed](https://zahidjavali.com/actor-saif-gets-botoxed/): Yes, it’s official. The youthful Saif Ali Khan you see in the film Love Aaj Kal is courtesy Botox, the wonder treatment. It has not only removed the wrinkles, bird’s feet and the laughlines but has made him look ten years younger. But pray why? Because the script of the film demanded a younger Saif for one of the younger phases of his life in the film. And being the co-producer, Saif decided to go in for the expensive treatment. For a while, Saif was seen going around wearing sunglasses to avoid the telltale marks of Botox. But now that the […] - [Aishwarya sued by a farmer](https://zahidjavali.com/aishwarya-sued-by-a-farmer/): Aishwarya Rai is always in the news for one thing or the other. If it’s not her envy rearing its ugly head when Sonam Kapoor was supposed to walk the ramp at Cannes, it’s her questionable land deals hogging the limelight. The latest is Thakre, a 69-year-old farmer claiming that his land was illegally bought by Ash to set up a windmill at Nandurbar in north Maharashtra. While the regional authorities have rubbished his claims as false saying the real owner of the property (Thakre’s son) is dead and that he had entered into a agreement with Suzlon for Rs 82,000. […] - [Jennifer Aniston finds a new paramour?](https://zahidjavali.com/jennifer-aniston-finds-a-new-paramour/): Rumour is rife that Jennifer Aniston is dating Bradley Cooper who starred with her in the latest He’s Just Not That Into You. The news spread like forest fire when the two were recently spotted at a romantic Italian restaurant in New York. But the way he dispels this rumour is at a recent press conference saying, ‘we are just good friends’. And then, he goes on to say that he doesn’t seen any screen space in the film as he comes in the first half when he’s paired with Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Connelly. But then, that doesn’t mean he’s […] - [Amrita Rao lacks sex appeal](https://zahidjavali.com/amrita-rao-lacks-sex-appeal/): Yup. Have seen the so-called sexy Amrita Rao in the film Short Cut. But no, she lacks oomph. And she’s definitely not sexy. So what ails Amrita? Well, it’s her attitude and her curves both. She lacks the form that can catapult her to superstardom in the ‘item girl’ department. And she lacks the chutzpah that comes with glamour. She’s better off as a the girl next door or even a village belle like she did in Welcome to Sajjanpur (though Shreyas Talpade walked away with all the honours). I am not saying change is bad. It’s good, but then Amrita […] - [MJ was a great leveller](https://zahidjavali.com/mj-was-a-great-leveller/): Michael Jackson is no more, but he still lives on. The king of pop is managing to keep the flicker of flame alive with his innumerable songs, dances and his very own autobiography Moon Walk. If you were to decode his life of ups and downs, you only need to look up his profile on Wikipedia. But if you were to mark his progress on life’s many paths, his book should do the deed. What appeals to me most is that he’s a great leveller. My brother was born eight years after I was. And yet, both of us share the […] - [Kal Aaj Kal is a copy from a Taiwanese film](https://zahidjavali.com/kal-aaj-kal-is-a-copy-from-a-taiwanese-film/): Yup. The storylines seem quite similar but director Imtiaz Ali of Kal Aaj Kal isn’t confessing just yet. And he may never do. But here’s the dope anyway. The gossip is that it’s a straight lift from the Taiwanese film Hao De Shi Guang (Three Times). The film starts in 1911, moves to 1966, and culminates in 2005. The story of Three Times runs on three parallel lines. It features three chronologically separate stories of love between the two protagonists. In the first two stories, letters are crucial to the outcome. In the third, it is cell phone calls, text messages, […] - [Naked news - Lindsay Lohan goes a-twitter](https://zahidjavali.com/naked-news-lindsay-lohan-goes-a-twitter/): Mention Lindsay Lohan and you will think of her lesbian connection and her naked news spreading across the universe. So what’s quicker than a Facebook or LinkedIn to get your visuals around? No, not Picasa or Flickr, but Twitter. Yes, Lindsay has discovered this new way of shedding her inhibitions and grabbing eyeballs. She has gone topless on Twitter. But you can’t credit Lindsay for originality. She’s blonde, remember? So how did she wisen up? Ashton Kutcher, baby. He was the first to make the most of Twitter and even posted his flame Demi Moore’s ass picture on Twitter. Sometimes, celebritydom […] - [South siren Trisha steps into Bollywood](https://zahidjavali.com/south-siren-trisha-steps-into-bollywood/): Hottie Trisha Kannan is now in Bollywood, starring alongside hearthrob Akshay Kumar himself. Looks are not just it. She’s talented to boot with an attitude that’s hard to beat. However, her jump from Kollywood (read Tamil films) to Bollywood is not without some inside stories. Apparently, the actress is not too pleased with the professionalism shown by the industry. It is said that she is made to wait inordinately for shoots to begin. Not just that. Some films never begin and some films begin and stop abruptly. Not that Bollywood is insulated from it all. Wonder how Trisha will cope with […] - [Irrfan Khan's numerology trick works](https://zahidjavali.com/irrfan-khans-numerology-trick-works/): Yup. Irfan Khan became Irrfan Khan more than a year ago. But he reaping the results of this name change only now. Not only has he starred in international ventures like A Mighty Heart where he shared screenspace with hottie Anjelina Jolie, but he is viewed as an actor who is good both for art and commercial films. That is a rare distinction. However, the crowning glory has come to him only now. According to a recent national poll by the Indian edition of the internationally reknown men’s magazine GQ, he has been named Man of the Year. That’s not all. […] - [Rapist Shiney's heart of darkness](https://zahidjavali.com/rapist-shineys-heart-of-darkness/): It’s official. Gangster star Shiney Ahuja did rape his maid. And no, he wasn’t under any influence of alcohol or drugs. That’s confirmed, too. This leaves little room for Shiney to plead guilty on grounds of not knowing what he was doing because he was into substance abuse. With critically acclaimed films like Gangster, Life In A Metro and Hazaaron Khwahishein, Shiney’s career was looking up. But he gave in to the most basic of instincts and fell. A sorry fate awaits the man. Will he divorce his wife and marry the maid to save himself or will he buy the […] - [Lucid dreaming, anyone?](https://zahidjavali.com/lucid-dreaming-anyone-2/): Many of you might have heard of lucid dreaming, but not many might know what it really means. So here it is. If you are dreaming and realise that you are indeed far removed from reality and continue to dream, you are lucid dreaming. For some, it comes naturally. For others, it comes through practice. Here is how you can dream lucidly, too! Before you go to sleep, remember you are stepping into the land of nod. Remember you are stepping inside an unreal world. Remember. Remember. It’s a tough act, but practice can make you almost perfect. Another way to […] - [You are a hologram!](https://zahidjavali.com/you-are-a-hologram/): First things first. There’s a book called The Hologram. And no, this is no artificially-induced simulation of reality, but reality itself. And the upshot? That reality is much more fluid and changable. Which means, we are literally making reality as we go along by probing it and measuring it. And then, there is the GEO600 German experiment looking for gravitational waves – ripples in space-time thrown off by super-dense astronomical objects such as neutron stars and black holes. While no gravitational waves have been detected so far, it might inadvertently have made the most important discovery in physics for half a […] - [Sleeplessness doesn't bog married women?](https://zahidjavali.com/sleeplessness-doesnt-bog-married-women/): Statistics reveal much about the society we live in. Now there is a study that says married women sleep better than singletons. Though, I am not sure if many women I know agree (haven’t asked yet), I am wondering how such a thing can be generalised across the social spectrum. But first, here’s what the study says. According to the study’s lead author Wendy Troxel, the assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, being stably married or gaining a partner is associated with better sleep in women than being unmarried or losing a partner. This research paper was […] - [Nudity question makes Kareena storm out of a press conference](https://zahidjavali.com/nudity-question-makes-kareena-storm-out-of-a-press-conference/): I thought Kareena Kapoor had learnt the ropes of staying afloat in the film industry. But just the other day, at the press conference to announce the film, Kambakkht Ishq, Kareena did the unthinkable. She stormed out of the press conference when a journalist asked her if she would go nude in any of her future films if the script so demanded. This was again prompted by her own admission that she is game to do anything for the good of the film. I don’t see anything wrong with the question. Neither was it vulgar or out of taste. And we […] - [>Lucid dreaming, anyone?](https://zahidjavali.com/lucid-dreaming-anyone/): >Many of you might have heard of lucid dreaming, but not many might know what it really means. So here it is. If you are dreaming and realise that you are indeed far removed from reality and continue to dream, you are lucid dreaming. For some, it comes naturally. For others, it comes through practice. Here is how you can dream lucidly, too! Before you go to sleep, remember you are stepping into the land of nod. Remember you are stepping inside an unreal world. Remember. Remember. It’s a tough act, but practice can make you almost perfect. Another way to […] - [Pre-budget expectations](https://zahidjavali.com/pre-budget-expectations/): Everytime, there are experts telling the government to increase outlays to education, reduce fiscal deficit, grant more tax holidays to new age industries like IT, insurance and so on.  I will do none of that. I will just reproduce what Ninad Karpe, CEO  & MD of Aptech Limited has to say about his pre-budget expectations… “Indian education and training sector has not received the attention it deserves. Hopefully, the Budget will ensure the following 3Ps for education sector: Participation: private players should be allowed to participate and contribute to this sector in a more unfettered manner Performance: quality provided to the students […] - [Sexy side of celebrity gossip](https://zahidjavali.com/sexy-side-of-celebrity-gossip/): There’s one corner of cyberspace that dishes out the best pictures and videos on the most salacious lives of Hollywood celebrities. From being the first to air the nude pictures of Britney Spears shot in 2007 to supermodel Giselle Bundchen’s nude pictures to Anna Paquin’s nude videos from the new Vampire TV series, True Blood, EGOTASTICoffers the most salacious bit of visual gossip you will ever come across anywhere. And no, this is no sponsored post. Just my eulogies to what is my daily fix! Get yours now! - [Saif's butt act in Love Aaj Kal](https://zahidjavali.com/saifs-butt-act-in-love-aaj-kal/): Yup. The filmmakers of Kambakkht Ishq and Love Aaj Kal are trying to outdo each other in getting the best initials for their film through some eye-grabbing promos. If Akshay is pecking Kareena in Kambakkht Ishq, Saif is going the whole hog with Deepika Padukone. He is not only lip-locking with Deepika but almost grabbing her butt as well for comfort. Between the two, my vote will go for Love Aaj Kal because it’s by Imtiaz Ali who gave us the enjoyable Jab We Met. I can be confident of a good story that can go with any of the antics […] - [Simplifying Decisions for Small Businesses and Skilled Professionals](https://zahidjavali.com/simplifying-decisions-for-small-businesses-and-skilled-professionals/): At Write Wing Media, we’ve always believed in making life easier for the people we serve—whether it’s small business owners trying to navigate the complexities of content marketing or skilled professionals working toward their immigration dreams. That’s why we’ve launched a suite of 13 free digital calculators designed to take the guesswork out of critical decisions. These tools are here to help you make smarter, faster, and more confident choices. Why We Built These Tools Running a business or planning your career can feel overwhelming. As a founder myself, I know how hard it is to juggle priorities, especially when you’re […] - [Go gadget shopping this summer!](https://zahidjavali.com/16-gadgets-to-buy-this-summer/): A year ago, they were double the price, and are now available for a steal! DOOR LOCKS Yale YDME 50 Digital Rs 9475 Yale is just what the security professional ordered. This zinc alloy marvel in chrome finish relies on four AA batteries to secure your home and office. You can lock using RF card, pin code, or a mechanical key, in case of emergencies. This nifty device can also store and recognise data of 30 RF cards and 78 pin code users. If the lock runs out of juice, it will alert you with an alarm sound and LED lights. To […] - [The City of the Future](https://zahidjavali.com/the-city-of-the-future/): Bangalore is a city that’s cool and colourful in more ways than one, with a distinctly international vibe. Home to the largest concentration of expatriates in any Indian city, this is indeed the “united colours of Bangalore”. Multitudes of skin colours, facial features, styles of dressing, languages – it’s all here, in this city of all play and all work. What makes this place so appealing? For starters, its culture of acceptance and welcoming weather. Even if it’s the peak of summer, cool breeze is ensured because of its location at 919m above sea level. It’s a place where you feel […] - [Comfortably Coorg](https://zahidjavali.com/coorg-calling/): Staying at Tata Coffee’s plantation bungalows and living the Kodava life holds a charm all its own Waking up to birdsong and the smell of coffee. Having a hot cup of coffee in the sprawling verandahs. Sleeping in large bedrooms made of woodwork and period furniture (rosewood and Burma teak). My stay in Coorg (anglicised version of Kodagu) was all about this and more. Cardamon and pepper trees. Tea leaves and coffee beans. I found myself passing by them all the while I was in the Woshully bungalow of Tata Coffee’s Plantation Trails. The Scotland of India did have enough to […] - [One city, many worlds](https://zahidjavali.com/one-city-many-worlds/): Check out Hampi, the world heritage site and come away mighty pleased The charm of leaving home has always been that it transports you into new places and vivid moments; it makes you slow down and take note of your new surroundings. That is what Hampi offers – a home completely away from home; a lifestyle that is unlike any other, and an architecture that is as much appealing as it is priceless. But most of all, it’s a fulfilling journey, both physically and spiritually. Travellers want authenticity in foreign lands. But hasn’t this search become a fool’s errand? It is […] - [Blue mountains](https://zahidjavali.com/coonoor-calling/): The Gateway Hotel is a welcome abode for the body, mind and spirit There’s something about The Gateway Hotel in Coonoor. Forget that it’s 6033 feet above sea level. Forget that it’s right above Ooty, the ‘queen of hill stations’. Just remember, it is more happiness per square foot here than anywhere else in the blue mountain range. And it starts the moment you step inside this venture of the Taj Group of Hotels. Orange garlands find their place around your neck and your parched throat is given sufficient nourishment with an energising fruit juice. Enter the colonial Superior Room overlooking […] - [ESCAPE TO… the Jungle](https://zahidjavali.com/escape-to-the-jungle/): Live your freaky side at Wild Walkers, Nilgiris, Ooty Wake up to birdsong. Place your feet where bears, elephants and tigers walked the previous night. Hear the roar of the tiger and the cry of the bison under attack. Wild Walkers is jungle raj at its wildest best — filtered spring water, negligible mobile phone coverage and no TV or internet. The closest ATM, pharmacy, petrol bunk and clinic is almost 15 kms away. Getting stranded never felt better. You can’t drive up to this 100-acre private estate without a jeep or a four-wheel drive. The last three kilometres are not […] - [The temple kingdom of Mahabalipuram](https://zahidjavali.com/the-temple-kingdom-of-mahabalipuram/): It was a traffic jam. The bus that I had boarded to go to Mahabalipuram emerged out of the Chennai central bus stand and got stuck in a jam at Saidapet, before it could get out of the city. To make it worse, it started raining rhinos. The bus stood rooted at one stop for more than an hour. One middle-aged gentleman was seated next to me in the bus. He was reading a book on nutrition. I was fascinated. Most people are happy solving crosswords or reading magazines and newspapers. But here was someone, who definitely didn’t look like a […] - [Pondicherry calling](https://zahidjavali.com/pondicherry-calling-2/): United colours of Pondicherry. Where foreigners and Indians live in harmony. Where French architecture is as appealing as Indian. Where things appear dream-like. Where nothing appears to stress a tourist, the least being the weather. Even if it rains without warning, you don’t mind because of the humidity and the beach next door. It’s a place where you feel cut off from India and yet feel part of it. It’s this feeling of attachment and detachment that keeps you company long after you’ve left the shores of Pondicherry. I stumbled upon this erstwhile French settlement quite by chance. When I visited […] - [Volkswagen Passat ‘wows’ you like no other](https://zahidjavali.com/volkswagen-passat-wows-you-like-no-other/): Tear drop dials, ornamental wood for the dashboard and doors, headlamp washer system, electrically-controlled exterior mirrors, auto-dimming interior mirrors, touchscreen music system, bluetooth telephone, rain sensing wipers… the list of attention-grabbing features in the all-new Volkswagen Passat is endless. When I took the fully automatic diesel engine for a spin around Mumbai bylanes and highways, these appeared gimmicky but useful nevertheless. However, what caught my attention was the Park Assist feature of the car. Press the button and the VW logo behind the car swivels open to reveal a wide-angle camera. Pull up the car next to a parked car, and […] - [Need for speed](https://zahidjavali.com/need-for-speed/): The newest Lamborghini Gallardo is heaven on wheels The fog was so thick, my aircraft leaned on it and refused to take off. After a two-hour delay, I was finally at the Madras Race Track to test the latest from the house of Lamborghini, the LP 560-4 Spyder. But first, I had to sign a Rs 5000 bond paper to absolve the organisers of any responsibility. Without further ado, I got into a white Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder and pressed the throttle. The Italian driver next to me explained that the gears are attached to the steering wheel and not […] - [By the river Cauvery](https://zahidjavali.com/by-the-river-cauvery/): Bheemeshwari and Doddamakali fishing camps pack so much in your day that you lose count of time and keep going back for more fun under the sun When the going gets tough, the tough go to Bheemeshwari. At least that’s what I did the other day. My friend and I hopped on to our four-wheeler and drove along the Kanakpura Road towards the Bheemeshwari Fishing Camp, 100 kilometres from Bangalore. It is home to Mahseer, one of the largest fresh water fish in the world. Stepping inside the facility of Government of Karnataka’s Jungle Lodges & Resorts made us forget the […] - [To the camera born](https://zahidjavali.com/to-the-camera-born/): Pushing the envelope comes easy for Manoj Masand (31) – whether it’s using dido lights (which picked up an Oscar for light innovation) or highlighting a small area of Venetta Cuicine’s ready kitchen and reducing the intensity of light or employing a technology used in Batman (Power 64 with a dimmer pack to control illumination) to provide a natural light effect on rows of Peter England shirts covering a road, lensman Masand revels in know-how. Photography is a play of light and shadows. And how you control them requires ingenuity. Which is why his outfit’s named Lariat Productions, and lariat is […] - [Manage money like the celebs](https://zahidjavali.com/manage-money-like-the-celebs/): How Bangalore’s thinkerati balances its books When I was old enough to know the value of a 5 paise coin, my only source of pocket money was my uncle who would hand me spare paise every day. One day, I asked him where he gets the money from, and he quipped, “From the money tree. Sow the money and the tree will grow.” I took that literally: sowed a fifty paise coin (had become greedy already) and waited days on end for the plant to show up. It never did, though now I know where the money comes from. My first […] - [Celebrity quirks: My first hand experience](https://zahidjavali.com/celebrity-quirks-my-first-hand-experience/): Quirks are human. And so are celebrities. Here are a few I gathered on some of the glitterati I met over the years. Aishwarya Rai: I ask for her email id, and she asks for mine in reply. You ask the Fuji people how much money have they set aside for their advertising campaign, and Rai interjects smilingly, ‘I don’t get all the money’. Cyrus Broacha: You never know when he’s serious and when he’s funny. So the way to go? Believe him. I did, and realised that what he said about his mother checking the emails for him was indeed […] - [Bacchus callin’](https://zahidjavali.com/bacchus-callin/): Kapila Chandran is dreamy; bites her nails and loves her friends. She believes she’s always surrounded by fairies; has even named her dog Magic. And she hastens to add that Kapila means ‘the wise one’ in Sanskrit, though people around her think she’s a ‘dumb blonde’ (mother’s Irish, father’s Indian) and don’t take her seriously because she’s 27. One look at her culinary track record, and you will realise she’s anything but delectably dumb. More of that later. Right now, she is marching to the beat of Bacchus. She brings home the dessert with BaCCHUS, a company that offers solutions for […] - [Soul sanctuary](https://zahidjavali.com/soul-sanctuary/): Go Goa and don’t forget to check in at the Radisson White Sands Beach Resort to be pampered their way, with air conditioned deluxe suites, a mini bar, banana boat rides, jet skiing, parasailing, go carting, Mediterranean food and ambience… the list is endless. It’s better you check it out yourself DAY ONE – March 21, 2003: Trust Indian Airlines to delay the flight to Goa by one-and-a-half hours. As one of the sixteen journalists on the junket (my first in eight years), I was the last to make it to the Radisson White Sands Resort in south Goa at 4.30 […] - [Summer popcorn](https://zahidjavali.com/summer-popcorn/): In terms of summer popcorn, it’s a far chunkier offering than Jurassic Park 2, I said last week when I wrote about the Suchitra international film fest. Now that I have seen some of its cinematic offerings, I can also add the word refined. And by that, I don’t only mean the classics. Some of the contemporary cinema was far out: like the ‘tale with a twist’ film (in almost every frame), The Sea That Thinks or the 95-minute Italian masterpiece, Beauty Queen Olivia about teenage angst or the effervescent and deliciously humorous Marius Et Jeanette. Love, security and comfort. That’s […] - [Sadia’s life is a Rumour](https://zahidjavali.com/sadias-life-is-a-rumour/): Once upon a time, Sadia Sayeed, then 17, got married to businessman Sayeed Hashim who owned Toyzone on MG Road and was also modelling on the side for such biggies as Binny’s and IBM. Today, Sayeed, 33, is the mother of two children, but her husband is no more. And she is no unemployed mother. She is now married to Rumour, a hip store in Indiranagar for all things womenswear and accessories. Squeaky-clean lines and a coffee lounge unwind you before the merchandise does. And though she has been designing clothes since she was 19, she has come into her own […] - [Das capital](https://zahidjavali.com/das-capital/): I respect women and consider them superior to the male species, says master lensman Prabuddha Das Gupta (45), when you ask him how he gets women to shed their inhibitions (remember his best-selling book on nudes in 1996?). “Women are more rooted and therefore more able to deal with the hardcore reality of things. And that’s because women have to fight a lot more and therefore are compelled to look deeper within themselves.” Das Gupta did not stop there. “The strongest thing about women is they are able to create life within themselves, which puts them in touch with the heartbeat […] - [Taking the rupee all the way](https://zahidjavali.com/taking-the-rupee-all-the-way/): If you’re in a creative business, you should be constantly accumulating references and material,” says Jaisingh Rathore, 30. “I’d really like a plasma screen for the new studio or maybe a projection system would be cool.” He was similarly seduced by a bike last year which now transports him at 85 kmph on the ten-minute journey from his house to the studio. Then there’s the MP3 player the size of a matchbox, which runs off his phone’s battery. “While I am drawing, I can watch eight films in a row,” explains Rathore, to justify his state-of-the-art Panasonic DVD player and his […] - [The good vibes](https://zahidjavali.com/the-good-vibes/): Have feet. Will dance. That’s Vibes, the eight-member band that’s into jazz, salsa and dances from cinema. Within four-and-a-half years, the band has trumped up quite an encore by notching assignments for such entities as Microsoft, Levi’s, TVS, Philips, Britannia, Airtel and Touchtel, among others. Started by choreographer Biju Kolli in October 1998, the group has accompanied actress-singer Vasundhara Das and singer Shaan on stage, both in India and abroad. Not to mention working for event management companies like DNA Networks, Midas Entertainment, Phase 1, Wizcraft and Fountainhead. And they have performed everywhere: Chennai, Mumbai, Kottayam, Cochin, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mangalore, Pune […] - [Weapons of mass distraction](https://zahidjavali.com/weapons-of-mass-distraction-2/): They are fresh. And they are blossoming. If one is not getting into a pair of cups from Victoria’s Secrets to showcase the lingerie leader, another is learning all the tricks of the trade to vie for the Femina Miss India crown. If one is gung ho about yoga and meditation, the other is preparing to relocate to Mumbai and live out of a suitcase. Another is putting on weight, if only to make her debut in films. But they are all walking showcases of the fashion world: looking pretty as daffodils and burning the ramp with their confidence and body […] - [The five stars](https://zahidjavali.com/the-five-stars/): Bangalore’s best general managers of star hotels about their work ethic First, you have the VVIPs. Then you have the other hotel guests. And both are as important. The challenge for the general manager of a hotel is not to inconvenience either. And that demands a control on the uncontrollables: the infrastructure – ensure the engineering department does not err anywhere, anytime (you cannot leave the premier stranded at the elevator). And convenience can come in various forms, like employing special lady butlers to service single women staying at the hotel. Or monitoring the guests continuously and making sure their every […] - [Log in to Vani Mahesh](https://zahidjavali.com/log-in-to-vani-mahesh/): From a software engineer to running an online library, it’s been quite a career swing for Vani Mahesh (31). It’s a job she loves doing: reading books, buying the good ones and recommending them to others. And that’s in addition to software development and maintenance of the web-based library management system that she has developed. (She reads aloud Noddy, Franklin and Clifford books to her four-year-old daughter Neethi and recommends thrillers to her husband Mahesh, a consultant with Infosys.) Over two years old, Easy Library in Koramangala has 900 members and counting. There are 7,000 books, with 150 added every month. […] - [Sonal’s Solo](https://zahidjavali.com/sonals-solo/): Variety rules Sonal Ramrakhiani’s life. She’s got a Gujarati name, but both her parents are Sindhi. And she was named after Odissi danseuse Sonal Mansingh. When she is not in the Titan Industries office at Golden Enclave on Airport Road holding fort as brand manager, Tanishq, the 28-year-old can be found in her swimsuit at the Diamond District pool. “It’s one the best, beats even Asia’s longest pool at Golden Palms,” says she. “My best has been 120 laps (which is about two kilometres) in 70 minutes.” Taking a dip is a ritual with her. “I swim for about a kilometre […] - [Species](https://zahidjavali.com/a-reporters-diary-4/): Reporting is much like life. So many people and attitudes swim by you, sometimes affecting you, and sometimes ignoring you. And reporters have a foible. They record just about everything: the social butterflies and the snooty touch-me-nots. Here then is a broad classification of the variety of people I have met on my beat, which covers just about every facet of reporting. Resemblance to any actual person is coincidental. Species one: Loves to hog the limelight. Even if it means being in the limelight under the same category for several years. This variety refuses to step down and give way to […] - [Man at work](https://zahidjavali.com/man-at-work/): Bhushan Bagadia (21) met 700 people to pick 34 of the very best for the Femina Miss India semi finals early this year. The organisers were looking for 18 smart people to manage the control room, the hospitality desk and the travel counter. It was a 12-hour job spread over seven days. They also required ten models who could assist celebrity judges on the day of the show. Not to mention, two energetic youngsters who could help the Femina people in putting up the mammoth stage and four people to oversee the judges rooms, which had a TV and computer for […] - [Motor mouths](https://zahidjavali.com/motor-mouths/): He is talking a mile a minute. The show is proceeding smoothly. And suddenly…chaos. He is hosting the wrong show. He is at the wrong venue. His head begins to swim… he hears a loud scream. He wakes up. It was the clock that had struck six. Another panic attack for Darius. He had nearly overslept, once again and relived a nightmare. The next few minutes are spent showering, shaving and engaging in other morning ‘ablutions’ (he loves this word). He reaches Radio City and runs into a menacing Sunaina, his fellow radio jockey. Sunaina’s morning was less stressful. She was […] - [The woman in the Attic](https://zahidjavali.com/the-woman-in-the-attic/): It’s all things New York for Sasha Castelino, 28, MD, Phoenixx Apparel Services and Attic, the clothes store on Lavelle Road. Castelino is the buying agent for AXIS, NY. As an intern with Winona, NY, she designed mood boards and sourced fabrics and trims. With handbag designer and fashion stylist Phyllis Leibowitz, she supervised production and quality control in NY. With designer-stylist Ruben Chapelle, she coordinated shows and events in NY. Not to mention she majored in fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of NY. “It’s an applied science degree that includes sociology, arts, geometry, history,” she […] - [Building blokes](https://zahidjavali.com/building-blokes/): Attitude and a little bit of latitude. And something that’s intelligent and inspirational. That about sums up the work of architects we have picked for this story. Open-to-sky courtyards, free-standing stone monoliths ensuring cross ventilation and security, tiled walkways, semi-circular verandahs, stepped dividers between the living and dining areas, frosted glass canopies, LCD screens embedded in doors and hanging F lights with built-in LCD screens, conical steel light shades over workstations, beam-free space with no false ceilings… these architects have dared to be different and yet invested their buildings with functionality few can match. And if you thought to be different […] - [Speaking of auras](https://zahidjavali.com/speaking-of-auras/): He is good at coining one-liners. ‘A lot can happen over coffee’ for Café Coffee Day. ‘The heart has its reasons’ for C Krishniah Chetty & Son. ‘Crafted from desire’ for Vanity Fair. That’s what Tarun Cherian does as creative director of Scion Advertising. And when he is not working to bring home the moolah, he’s crafting poems and studying auras. Drop by Kahawa on Cunningham Road between July 17 and July 21, and you will run into 37 of his drawings. And what are they? ‘Aura visions captured in ink and Ki energy’. Cherian classifies aura into seven kinds. And […] - [The Lakme girl](https://zahidjavali.com/the-lakme-girl/): Shobha Sehgal’s first pay was Rs 1,000 for working three hours at a beauty salon. “And I gave all the money to my mom,” she says. “Four months before I finished my beauty course, I opened a salon of my own.” That was in 1985. And it was bold step. “Coming from an orthodox Punjabi family, my father was ashamed of me because he believed I was essentially doing the job of a barber.” But then, it was something ‘where my hands moved best’ and Sehgal stuck on. After 17 years in the beauty line, Sehgal is 35 and a consultant […] - [Mind your language](https://zahidjavali.com/mind-your-language/): ‘It’s a rainy Sunday morning in downtown Jayanagar, but inside the three year old Bouyancee Centre, the mood is sunny.’ Those were my opening lines in the very first full-length story I wrote as part of this publishing house. “I love it,” said my editor. “It’s the kind of writing I see in The New York Times.” And I was on a roll: learning and unlearning much about words and phrases that made sense and that didn’t. For example, a sub-editor (a woman) would add ‘painful’ to my word ‘shyness’ in a sentence and the editor (a man) would object to […] - [MTV Bakra](https://zahidjavali.com/a-reporters-diary-3/): The time was 3.40 pm. And it was a Thursday, the day we fall over ourselves to send the City Reporter to Press. And my cellphone rings. It was a call for help. “I am right outside your office. The front tyres of my car are wobbly. Could you help?” my friend pleaded. I obliged, asked my office colleague for a phone number that could come in handy if it was a car breakdown. The sun was peeping from behind a cloud, as I saunter out to meet my friend on Resthouse Crescent Road. Wearing a white top and faded blue […] - [Standing Ovation](https://zahidjavali.com/standing-ovation/): Opposites attract. Ask Royce Pappachan (23) and Ekta Hoora (21). If he trips on rock, she sashays to old Hindi classics. If he’s skilled in computers, she’s a trained fashion designer. “We are always arguing and correcting each other,’” says Hoora. But ask Pappachan what he feels about her, and he coos, “She’s purr-fect.” And Hoora cuts in, “I am adjusting. Will take him as he is.” But that’s not how they think about Ovation, the brand of designer womenswear they launched three months ago at 100 ft and Kahawa in Bangalore. “We sit together and bounce off ideas,” says Hoora. […] - [Maximum entertailment](https://zahidjavali.com/maximum-entertailment/): Wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling curved screens and digital sound, state-of-the-art projection, stadium seating arrangement to ensure unobstructed viewing from anywhere in the auditorium, eye-catching architecture, cup holders on every armrest, avant-garde lobbies with studio-effect interiors, ample parking space and central air conditioning. That’s what a multiplex is all about: comfort, choice and colour. A place that not only entertains, but also retails. And by the end of 2004, Bangalore will be home to five multiplexes. And the trend has already begun. Innovative Multiplex, the city’s first, took shape only last week at Varthur on Outer Ring Road. The Prestige Group will come […] - [Levitating Meghna](https://zahidjavali.com/levitating-meghna/): She may not defy gravity. But her lifestyle store, Levitate, does defy the conventional shopping experience. Swing past the doors of 93 Residency, take up the flight of stairs leading to the first floor and you reach a cul de sac. Before long, you realise it’s your last stop for all things unique: from silk tie up bustiers and one-piece finger rings to reversible skirts and neon bead chains (much of it is for women’s only, if you haven’t figured it out already). And that’s again with a string attached. “My shop is not for everybody,” says Meghna Khanna, the 24-year-old […] - [Fly Buy Dubai](https://zahidjavali.com/fly-buy-dubai/): Spread over 3,885 square kilometers, Dubai that’s 10.655 metres above sea level indeed rises above the ordinary with its mother of all festivals, the Dubai Shopping Festival. It’s four weeks of unadulterated fun on the run, with over 220,000 Indians making it to Dubai every year with Bangalore making up 10 per cent of the tourism chunk. As you zip down Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road, you pause to gaze at the gorgeous girl on a hoarding beside the interchange. There is nothing to do but make that turn and ease into a parking slot and walk into the comforting interiors […] - [Getting sensual at Shahnaz Husain’s](https://zahidjavali.com/getting-sensual-at-shahnaz-husains/): Your skin should speak for you, says Lulua Merchant. She should know. As an aesthetician, she always has an ear to the ground. As a qualified L’Oreal expert, Merchant is trained in the best techniques in hair care and colouring. As a graduate from the International Therapy Examination Council and the International Dermal Institute, both based in New York, Merchant’s knowledge is more than skin-deep. Which is why her parlour, Shahnaz Husain’s Herbal in Koramangala, is celebrating its ninth anniversary come July 16. The city’s best-bred flock to her 600 square feet of solitude. Former Miss India Sara Corner does her […] - [The big idea](https://zahidjavali.com/the-big-idea/): Where do creative people get their inspiration from? Ted Hughes attributed it to fishing. JG Ballard thought it had more to do with whisky. We are not digging deep into the source of their bright ideas. Instead, we dwell on the big ideas that brightened up 2002. And as Rance Crain, editor in chief, Advertising Age, puts it, “Your own marketing playbook is easier to implement if it’s simple and straightforward, and that includes the advertising. Campaigns don’t work if the experience consumers have with a brand doesn’t match what the ads promise.” The upshot: come up with an idea that […] - [Sonia at close quarters](https://zahidjavali.com/sonia-at-close-quarters/): Sonia V Narayanan, 32, has always looked at things from close quarters. Whether it’s ‘early morning traffic choking Delhi’s broad-necked roads’ or ‘two well-respected families whose reputation begged her silence’, her pen has captured it all. “All the characters are inspired from life but none of them is me,” says Narayanan, who is out with her first book, At Close Quarters, a collection of ten short stories running into 130 pages. The characterisation is her own. “I don’t dislike any character because they are neither black or white, but are essentially human… which is the most endearing quality.” Is there any […] - [Chatting up Chatterjee](https://zahidjavali.com/chatting-up-chatterjee/): Designations change all the time, because everybody is doing everything. And Saugatha Chatterjee aka Soggy (36) is no exception. From a management trainee with Coats Viyella in 1993 to business head for their international retail and sourcing consulting division, Intrad, Soggy has come up the grassroots way. At his next stop, Walt Disney India, he became the national group product manager. And today, he is a member of The International Association of Business Leaders Inc, New Bern, and USA, besides heading Interaxons Consulting, a collaborative customer relationship management services firm for brands like Levi’s, Nike, Pepsi, Peter England, and many more. […] - [Bollywood calling](https://zahidjavali.com/bollywood-calling/): Lights, camera, action… This might not be what you could possibly hear at the Bombay Film Institute near Ulsoor Lake. But you will hear trainer Aqueel Syed (35) cautioning, ‘An actor is just a puppet in the hands of a director. His only job is to come, emote and go back.’ He should know. Syed has trained the likes of Simran, Sanjay Dutt, Chandrachur Singh, Rajat Bedi and Aryan Vaid. That is not all. The institute has people from Shakur’s Dance Academy in Mumbai, which has trained the likes of Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor and Fardeen Khan. And heading the Bangalore […] - [To Lee or not to Lee](https://zahidjavali.com/to-lee-or-not-to-lee/): Welcome to the edge, says the denim jacket of her scrapbook. Danger: extremely flammable, cautions her ad campaign on an apparel line. Welcome to 34-year-old Suparna Mitra’s life. Her job is to make Lee part of every young adult’s wardrobe whose age is between 17 and 24. “The key in any sales and marketing business lies with the consumers. Understanding their needs help you design the products just right for them,” says Mitra, business head of Lee, who has a master’s in business administration from IIM, Calcutta. “Which is why we went for lightweight jeans, which is a rage abroad.” And […] - [85% imagination, 100% Shivani](https://zahidjavali.com/85-imagination-100-shivani/): Sometimes it’s better to be untitled than be labelled at all. Look at the works of Shivani Bagaria (23) and one comes away with the feeling that she has done justice by keeping some of her works nameless. But that doesn’t mean, she’s all for things that don’t have a name. Some of the monikers she’s bestowed on her works include The Alley, Dawn to Dusk, The Kiss, Black Flames and Marching Lions. Currently a student of fine arts at the Pratt institute in Brooklyn, New York, she appears to be obsessed with the task at hand. “A gesture driven by […] - [Attitude but no latitude](https://zahidjavali.com/a-reporters-diary-2/): Attitude can make or break a person. We as reporters are whipped by attitude every other time. And sometimes, it can be unsettling. I remember my English lecturer once saying, “You know because of what happened in the class (he had sent out a few students for not listening to him and doing their own thing), I need to go back home, meditate, expel all the negative energy and restore my equilibrium.” I didn’t get him then. But now I do. Throwing an attitude can either bounce off you or get at your goat and tire you down. Just the other […] - [Life is Bella Bella](https://zahidjavali.com/life-is-bella-bella/): It happened over dinner at an apartment on Cunningham Road. Housewives Vandana Virwani and Michelle Suri, both 37, thought of ways to get their professional lives back on track. “After marriage and children, we wanted to do something with our lives. One thing led to another and both of us decided to do affordable fashion,” says the Bangalore-born Virwani, who was making candles earlier. “Finding a place was no problem because of my husband Jitu (Jitendra of the Embassy Group).” Chimes in Florida-born Suri, who spends time with her children in Bangalore every summer: “We signed a partnership in August last […] - [Friday to Thursday](https://zahidjavali.com/a-reporters-diary/): FRIDAY We sit on our haunches (Srihari, Bala and Jaideep included) and decide what to do in City Reporter this week. In fifteen minutes flat, I have enough work to keep me busy through the week. In the evening, I am in the midst of a dozen couples on a runaway bus. The driver is supposed to drive round and round until all the couples are through with their stories of how they found their love and then take us to a dine and dance at the Taj Residency. One Cupid-struck says how he fell for a girl with attitude and […] - [No E please, we’re Inglish](https://zahidjavali.com/no-e-please-were-inglish/): It’s a celebration of stupidity, complained one wise man. He was referring to Forrest Gump. The story was about a slow-witted man making his way in the world. But the theme of the film was profoundly metaphysical: do we live in a world guided by chance or does God’s manoeuvres influence or control certain events? Do we live in an uncaring, mechanical universe, or is there something more complicated than that? The theme is introduced at the beginning of the film as a feather floats through the air (obeying chance and the laws of physics) and finally lands (by chance?) near […] - [A bit of Chari](https://zahidjavali.com/a-bit-of-chari/): It’s not very often that I consult an online name reader to get a perspective about the people I’m going to interview. It’s not even something I deeply believe in. But I turned to an online name reader a few days back, before I stepped out into the February sun to meet Sumitra Chari, who runs A Bit Of Sunday (a 500 square feet reservoir of all things mosaic, glass and furniture on Indiranagar 10th Main Road). This is what he had to say: “Sumitra is a pleasant, easy-going, friendly person. Personal contacts are important to her. In situations where she […] - [Reinventing the Chakra](https://zahidjavali.com/reinventing-the-chakra/): A lot can happen over java. There was Ziba Bhagwagar sipping her black coffee with a friend at Max Mueller Bhavan, when she was informed of a job opening at Trends, the ad filmmakers. Three years later, she is very much around and making films, even ending up co-directing Freaky Chakra, the Deepti Naval starrer that hit the theatres last week. Roohi Dixit’s happened on the film-editing table. There she was doing her own thing, when her boss-to-be VK Prakash walked in. Dixit, who had long been a fan of VKP’s work (after he won a clutch of awards at the […] - [Pot Puri](https://zahidjavali.com/pot-puri/): Her bio runs into three pages. Her sense of design is ever changing (‘I changed my frame from a round one last year to a rectangular one this year’). She morphs into something else just as easily (after several years in garment design, she started designing jewellery and stuck to it). From Garden Vareli to Wendell Rodricks to Titan’s export division and later to Tanishq, she has been there and done that: from becoming the Designer of the Year at SNDT University in Mumbai when she was barely 18 to emerging a finalist four years later at the 4th international Indian […] - [No holds bard](https://zahidjavali.com/no-holds-bard/): Some are born with the Bard, some achieve the Bard and some have the Bard thrust upon them. In Phil Bathol’s case, it was all of the above. Bathols was vacationing in the Himalayas in January 2002 with his Sikkimese wife. His biggest daily challenge was trying to develop a taste for nettle soup, a Sikkimese concoction. Then Ajit Saldanha happened (he had spotted Bathols’ production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) in Singapore). Email after email followed by phone calls convinced Bathols and his managing partner Tim Woods to bring Shakespeare to India and Bangalore (The fest kicked […] - [Shetty’s Stop](https://zahidjavali.com/shettys-stop/): Zero per cent attitude. 100 per cent work. That’s the first thing you notice on the white board when you enter Sharan Shetty’s cubicle. “It’s zero per cent negative attitude that I am talking about,” clarifies Shetty. And we sit down for a chat that lasts for a little over an hour after a quick photo shoot outside Shoppers’ Stop. Shetty has been heading Stop as customer care associate and manager (operations) for the past 18 months. Not that he’s never been to Bangalore before. “I studied at Baldwin Boys between 1975 and 1977,” he says. “Since my father was a […] - [Mimicking Mimi](https://zahidjavali.com/mimicking-mimi/): Argentinian artist Mimi Maruri (35) first came to Bangalore to see Sai Baba in ‘91. Along the route, romance happened. She met Javid Burhan (35), a businessman dealing with precious and semi-precious stones. Seven years of courtship later, the couple walked down the aisle. That’s not her claim to fame. Maruri is a fine arts graduate from Argentina, who has been selling jewellery designs to manufacturers in Italy and France for the past two years. And very soon, she would be doing Spain. “They are all in silver and very expensive,” says Maruri, who has made Bangalore her home. “The rings […] - [The trials and tribulations of profiling a nightingale](https://zahidjavali.com/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-profiling-a-nightingale/): The year was 2001. I was assigned to profile a young nightingale in the making. A student whose poetry was chosen by an American website dedicated to poetry. She was up for a $20,000 prize, but her trip to Washington DC, where the winner will be named, would not happen. This 21-year-old arts graduate needed Rs 1.25 lakh to cover her travel, food and living expenses in the US. Another problem was that she didn’t want public sympathy. And she said it in so many words. My editor wouldn’t take no for an answer. And I carried on pursuing her. I […] - [Naseer and his candids](https://zahidjavali.com/naseer-and-his-candids/): Naseeruddin Shah’s in town. And he promises ‘stimulating theatre’ at the Chowdiah on August 22. He is helped here by famous Urdu writer Izmat Chughtai (now no more) whose three short stories will be brought to life by Shah, his wife Ratna Pathak and daughter Heeba. If you find some of the women profiled in the play, zany, over the top and highly entertaining, maybe you should read more of Chughtai and the real women she talks about. The press conference on August 20 was as enlightening. “Bollywood films don’t tax your intellect,” said Shah. “I have never had any idols. […] - [On I Gear](https://zahidjavali.com/on-i-gear/): He watches one Hollywood movie a day. Well, almost. He collects crystals of all shapes and sizes. Well, almost (his mother has done most of it and he is carrying on the legacy). He loves cooking. Well, almost (his culinary skills don’t go beyond making a delectable cheese omelette). He trips on fine food. Well, almost (Continental is close to his heart, or rather his stomach, especially Shepherd’s Pie). Arif Saleem Padiath is all of this and the brand manager of Fastrack jewellery and Fastrack I Gear, the new range of trendy sunglasses from Titan. It’s a far cry for this […] - [Yadev’s Wild City](https://zahidjavali.com/yadevs-wild-city/): He spends a lot of time reading in the loo. Sitting on his table right now are Barry Long’s Journal, Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged and Fuzzy Thinking by Bart Kosko. But he’s no litterateur. He has groomed art directors, creative directors and fashion design students, but he is no teacher. He has seen auras in oranges and blues hitting the earth at Vermont, but he’s no aura reader. He has walked around wearing a pyramid plastic cap, but he’s no pyramid healer. The truth is Yadeva Prakash (better known as Yadev) is an electronics engineer turned lensman. And the 36-year-old proprietor […] - [Food, clothing and Akiva](https://zahidjavali.com/food-clothing-and-akiva/): Both met at a children’s school and two months later, Akiva (which means, shelter) was born. Businesswomen Roopa Ravichandra (37) and Neetu Gupta (37) now have a partner in progress. They have shared their expertise with designer Raj Kumar Shroff of Arachne to introduce Ravage Classic, their fall/winter collection for 2003. And they are doing it in style at their store off Primrose Road with a fashion show by Prasad Bidapa on August 19 at 7.30 pm. “We used to design our own clothes,” says Gupta, “so when people complimented us for it, we decided to make it our full-time job.” […] - [Forum’s friend](https://zahidjavali.com/forums-friend/): Suresh Singaravelu (51), CEO, Prestige Estates, who is building India’s largest multiplex, The Forum on Hosur Road, should have read James Redfield’s Celestine Prophecy and all the coincidences it dwells on. Because his life has had its share of coincidences. There he was in the waiting area at the Chennai airport when he got talking with a group from Singapore. When he was waiting to take his interconnecting flight at the Bangalore airport, he met the very same men again. And this time, they offered him a job: to take up retailing for Spencer Plaza in Chennai. And he took it […] - [Business as usual](https://zahidjavali.com/business-as-usual/): There’s an old Chinese saying that goes, ‘When planning for a year, sow corn; when planning for a decade, plant trees; and when planning for life, educate people.’ BML Jain, an IIT (Kanpur) graduate, took that to heart and came up with the idea of a business school that would be an ideal extension of the IITs. His friends from the various IIMs, IITs and the corporate world seemed to share his vision and the Indian Business Academy was born on Kanakpura Road. The success rate has been a 100 per cent. All 35 students who passed out this year were […] - [Homing in](https://zahidjavali.com/homing-in/): Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. The hallmarks of a home today are trendy, earthy and global. From parquet to pottery, Bangaloreans are not just buying homes; they are putting themselves into every wall. We went out into the market to discover what the colours of fall are doing to the Bangalore home His bathing companion is the bathtub. Ergonomically designed, spacious and comfortable, the shower panels have eight nozzles for a soothing hydromassage, a static shower head with adjustable spray modes to relax and rejuvenate him and a multi-use pullout shower. With nude portraits and a sea goddess […] - [Horsing around](https://zahidjavali.com/horsing-around/): He had to lose 3 kilos in a day to be in the saddle. And he took it up as a challenge; played golf all day, walked all night, sat in a sauna for long hours and starved himself like a refugee. And eureka, he had shed cellulite and was ready for the race. That about describes the anorexic trials and tribulations of Ryan Marshall (27), the Chennai-born who is in Bangalore for the past 14 years. “My two uncles Lloyd and Sinclair Marshall were veteran jockeys who guided me all the way and very soon I decided to take it […] - [He’s on Route 91](https://zahidjavali.com/hes-on-route-91/): He is a qualified mechanical engineer. He has a ‘hi-bye’ relationship with Aishwarya Rai. He is a walking encyclopaedia on Bollywood. And he loves to listen to his own voice. Not to mention he’s single and seriously ready to mingle. Chaitanya Hegde (31) is all of this besides working for Radio City as a radio jockey for programmes like Chow Chow Baath and Route 91. If that’s not shedding enough light on him, he’s a fitness freak (works out at Talwalkars and also indulges in yoga). His friends call him a psycho because he’s unpredictable. Throw a googly at him and […] - [Saad, Saad, Saad](https://zahidjavali.com/saad-saad-saad/): When he was six years old, he played a maid servant in a spoof on Cinderella at Baldwins. At 17, he became a young prince in Girish Karnad’s Hindi play, Rakta Kalyan. A year later, he was a hitman in The Dark Side of Comedy, which also happened to be his debut theatre production under the banner Image that he founded. Since then, Saad Khan (20), a student of mechanical engineering at MS Ramaiah, has done much more. He competed at mad ads and mono acting at inter-collegiate fests, won accolade (and acrimony, when were the two ever divorced?). “At Baldwins, […] - [Collective Chaos](https://zahidjavali.com/collective-chaos/): Collective Chaos is a group of like-minded folks given to a life of understanding cinema and ogling at its many contours. It’s over two month’s old, and is already host to over 200 members. Like-minded, did I say? Let me correct that. Each one’s point of view contrasts with the other, though all of them share a common passion for cinema. And that’s why I find the email group service interesting. You can send messages to the entire group through one email ID (collectivechaosblr@yahoogroups.com) and what you get in return is not only a good read but also varied perspectives from […] - ['I did it' moments of iDiscoveri](https://zahidjavali.com/i-did-it-moments-of-idiscoveri/): When the sun is out, you can’t see the moon and stars, says Tarun Chandna (35). It’s one of the rules applied to activities such as trekking, rock climbing and mountain biking. “In our programmes, we let each of the members speak and write about their experiences and thoughts. At the end of it, every person has something to learn. Those who spoke most will come away thinking they should have listened more and not dominate the discussion. And the shy sorts who opened up come away feeling they should talk more.” That’s iDiscoveri’s outdoor education which promises many ‘I did […] - [The finishing edge](https://zahidjavali.com/the-finishing-edge/): In times of Sony PlayStations and mobile phone texting, Sudhir Udayakanth (29) was into mind mapping for the ministry of defence in Singapore. What’s that, you ask? It’s text-based training on air defence artillery. Example: Calculating how an F 22 can escape a missile fired from a ship. No practicals, only theory, but with an accuracy of plus or minus 10. Today, Udayakanth is applying the same logic on a different tangent. He runs Edge Academy, a finishing school that helps people discover the edge that lays hidden in them. And that means chalking out personal equations that could refurbish your […] - [Gmail full? There's a solution](https://zahidjavali.com/gmail-full-theres-a-solution-2/): If your gmail inbox is full or close to exceeding it’s free 7.5GB storage, there’s help. You can either upgrade to 20GB for as little as $5 or better still, save on that as well with findbigmail.com. Yes, this is the best service i stumbled upon just the other day. I already have an expanded Gmail storage. But i did try out this nifty software. And it works beautifully. Within minutes, it organised my inbox of 9GB into different sized folders: Top 20 big emails, emails over 2mb, and so on. I deleted many of the emails with huge photo attachments […] - [Supernatural: Calling all healers & explorers](https://zahidjavali.com/supernatural-calling-all-healers-explorers/): If you are into healing, both short and long distance. Want to explore the many dimensions to our life. Go deep within one’s soul. Join the Creators Child group on Yahoo. What’s more, you can also share your supernatural and miraculous stories to the group of like-minded people and grow in confidence. To enroll for their newsletter and to be part of this activity group, go HERE - [Free iPhone app for greeting cards](https://zahidjavali.com/free-iphone-app-for-greeting-cards/): My photography is in use on some of the greeting cards used in the new iPhone/iPod Touch app called Greet. Produced by an Indian company, you can be part of the celebrations. Greet is available for 99 cents at the Apple iTunes store: The Free lite version is available HERE If you want to get the paid version for free, leave your comments asking for the redeem code and I shall be too happy to give them to you. I have NINE such codes up for grabs. Ask for them now. Happy greeting! - [Abhay Deol is a 420](https://zahidjavali.com/abhay-deol-is-a-420/): You must have loved his offbeat films, but Abhay Deol goes off the beaten path in real life, too. And you don’t have to look far for it. Go to his garage and you will see his Maruti jeep with the number plate reading: 420. Yes, that’s Deol for you. Gives two hoots to an industry obsessed with numerology. Then again, his number adds up to 6, which is supposedly good numerologically. All multiples of three are much favoured by Bollywood actors while multiples of 4 are avoided like the plague. Deol boy sure knows how to cock a snook at […] - [Diesel and your favourite punchline](https://zahidjavali.com/diesel-and-your-favourite-punchline/): I love Diesel’s punchline: Be stupid for successful living. There’s so much meaning in it… It’s about dancing to your own tunes and living life your way. And I have tried to do that ever since I decided to get into journalism in 1993 by opting for a specialised course on the subject. The other punchlines that I like include: 1. Nike’s ‘Impossible is nothing’. 2. Star Network’s ‘Bring home the stars’ 3. Mint’s ‘The mint with a hole’ 4. Write Wing Media’s ‘Giving your business a flying start’ 5. Cafe Coffee Day’s ‘A lot happens over coffee’ 6. Krishniah Chetty’s […] - [Lip balms are no good](https://zahidjavali.com/lip-balms-are-no-good/): Lip balms are no good. Not the Vaseline or the Himalaya lip balm. However, Nivea’s Hydrocare does work. It’s priced over Rs 100, many times more than the others in the market. But even Nivea doesn’t really solve the problem permanently. Pray why? Coz everytime you stop using it, your lips become painful and start to bleed even. It’s almost a sort of addiction. The remedy is not even about applying coconut oil on your lips or the cream on top of the milk’s surface when you bring it to boil. The remedy is far simpler. Don’t do anything about your […] - [3G generation](https://zahidjavali.com/3g-generation/): My 5-month old daughter belongs to the 3G era. And her initiation has already begun. Staying at her grand parents home 320 kms from Bangalore where I stay, she is on a video call every other day. And she’s quite familiar with the iPod Touch screen. In fact, she stares at any bright thing. So point this to her, and she’s glaring right into your living room hundreds of kilometres away. That is not all… Every time I call my wife on her cell, my baby cries if her music session has been interrupted. She regularly listens to nursery rhymes and […] - [Sachin needs a voice coach](https://zahidjavali.com/sachin-needs-a-voice-coach/): Whenever Sachin Tendulkar appears in tv commercials, I wonder why he hasn’t been trained for it… The physical presence is fine, it’s the voice modulation that needs working. Then again, most celebrities need voice training for tv commercials. Genellia D’souza needs to discard her southie accent and get her Hindi right. And to think, she’s into Hindi films makes it even more unforgivable. MS Dhoni needs to be trained too… And so do most cricketers. On the other hand, Saina Nehwal looks like a complete natural. Will she get into films after her tennis career? There’s a backup option waiting for […] - [Affirmations and how Jerry Maguire did it](https://zahidjavali.com/affirmations-and-how-jerry-maguire-did-it/): The other day, I watched Jerry Maguire and looked up the internet to read the ‘mission statement’ that gets him fired as a sports attorney. He pens down his thoughts titled: The things we think and do not say: thoughts of a sports attorney. I would call this an affirmation he does in writing. An affirmation that he sticks to after his midnight bout of conscience pummels him to surrender to the higher consciousness. But the best part? He sticks to his mission statement. Of standing up for honesty. Removing lies. Working for work and not profits. And knowing deep down […] - [Spirit guides: An interview with one on god and beyond](https://zahidjavali.com/spirit-guides-an-interview-with-one-on-god-and-beyond/): Here is an interesting chat I had with a spirit guide from another dimension. Her initials are SP. Who is god? God is the universal being. He is the be it and end all, of all creation. He is love and the supreme being who has no form or figure. He is not human or angel. He is just… him. How was he born? From the white light of eternal love. His physical form is in nature. Have you seen that certain trees have unique forms? Certain mountains have a character in them? There are places on earth where if you […] - [Black money: How to contain it](https://zahidjavali.com/black-money-how-to-contain-it/): The UPA government is telling us that it wants to get back the black indian money stashed abroad. But nothing has been done so far. Pray why? Probably, it was the government’s way to silence all opposition who all have a stake in this. It was a sort of blackmail. If you don’t support us, we will make you a pauper. But with an active judiciary and media, the tables could also turn on the UPA. They are no saints either. Their black money could also show up in the public eye. It would be suicidal and foolish at the same […] - [Japan tsunami healing worked.... and how?](https://zahidjavali.com/japan-tsunami-healing-worked-and-how/): Following my blog post about distance healing the distressed in Japan, here is the update on how the healing went last night, straight from energy healer Tarun Cherian: Last night, there were 60 across India, and the world who gathered in a circle at night to send a prayer for Japan. Here are some of the many experiences… that perhaps represents your own… Meenakshi speaking for the group of 7 powerful healers in Mumbai… We covered ourselves with green light. We then began with each of us having a ceramic bowl of water with a fallen twig floating in it. The […] - [Nikon: At the heart of the image](https://zahidjavali.com/nikon-at-the-heart-of-the-image/): Upholding the banner of ‘trustworthiness and creativity’, Nikon’s imaging journey inspires awe When you think of cameras, and you want the best of the best, one name that pops up instantly is Nikon. This world-renowned brand, now a subsidiary of The Nikon Group, embodies everything you could possibly want from an imaging products manufacturer. Whether you are investing in your first camera to record your holiday snaps, or you are capturing the latest fashion trends on a shoot for Vogue as a professional, Nikon will have the perfect camera for you. Not to mention, steppers, scanners, semiconductor inspection equipment, measuring instruments, […] - [4G and how it will change the way we communicate](https://zahidjavali.com/4g-and-how-it-will-change-the-way-we-communicate/): The 2G spectrum allocation controversy shows no signs of abating. But what the heck, we already have cellular operators offering 3G internet. There is Tata Docomo offering mobile speeds of over 21mbps, something unheard of earlier. But that’s nothing compared to what’s next: 4G. So what is 4G, anyway? Simply put, it is a network that operates on internet technology; combines it with other applications and technologies such as wi-fi; and runs at speeds ranging from 100 mbps (cell towers) to 1 gbps (wi-fi services). Think of Tom Cruise in Minority Report — that scene where he is walking down an […] - [Technology top 10: Future concepts to watch out for](https://zahidjavali.com/technology-top-10-future-concepts-to-watch-out-for/): Nothing succeeds like excess, and future tech provides you a glimpse of that. You take off today and arrive yesterday. That’s the power of technology. With prototypes being developed all the time, these give glimpses of a future that could well be possible. Like the wirelessly controlled beetle which could one day be used for surveillance or search-and-rescue missions. Or the creation of an entirely new type of data storage ‘racetrack memory’ device using magnetic nanowires that could replace all other forms of computer memory and lead to tiny, rugged, and inexpensive portable devices. The future is uncertain, but the promises […] - [TV3.0](https://zahidjavali.com/tv30/): OLEDs, Google TV, holographic displays, UDTVs and more will change the way we watch television Television has long been the preserve of the masses and the classes for the last several decades. But only now is it coming into its own. The promise of watching 3D television is already rearing its protruding head. Now all one needs to wait for are TV programmes made in 3D. But for that to happen, all channels need to be in HD (high definition). In India, only Discovery can claim that. So while you might get to swim underwater from the comforts of your drawing […] - [Google vs Apple vs Microsoft](https://zahidjavali.com/will-google-upstage-apple-and-microsoft/): WW III has only just begun… Today, Google owns internet search. Microsoft is a leader in operating systems and applications. And Apple rules high-end hardware, entertainment and media devices. That may well change. Fast. As each company encroaches on the other’s territory, which one will be best positioned in the future? And which one is most likely to fall? Importantly, will Google upstage Apple and Microsoft? Before we answer that, lets analyse the relative advantages of these companies. Apple: Jobs-centric vision could skew growth Steve Jobs has a passion for excellence in his staff that drives them to do things that […] - [Apple apps: Got the app-titude?](https://zahidjavali.com/apple-apps-got-the-app-titude/): Tracking the finest apps from the house of Steve Jobs isn’t easy. Finding gems among the three lakh-plus Apple apps can be quite a daunting task. Which is why, I am doing it for you. Some are free, and some are paid. But they are fun all the same. Have a good time making the most of them! NearestWiki Some people like to hire tour guides when they travel. Others like to walk through galleries and museums to explore on their own. NearestWiki allows you to get all your cultural information in an augmented reality view. Say for example that you […] - [BlackBerry: The Swiss Army Knife of smartphones](https://zahidjavali.com/blackberry-the-swiss-army-knife-of-smartphones/): Welcome to the BlackBerry Planet that keeps you connected to work, life and everything in between. Blackberry is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts. In the tech domain, the BlackBerry is a stylish way to get things done and keep you connected to work, life and everything in between. BlackBerry is a small device that connects the big Earth. Ofcourse, there’s the odd virus attack that threatens to take over your smartphone, but most of these threats are momentary. So don’t let that get you. And […] - [Architectural marvels](https://zahidjavali.com/architectural-marvels-in-bangalore/): A mix of the old and new. That’s what Bangalore offers if you look at the city’s architecture. Monkey tops, typical of the city, are still to be found in several houses. Today’s builders have built apartment complexes that reflect the architectural styles of Spain, Morocco and California, among others. While most companies like Intel and Reuters have gone for glass and chrome buildings, there are the Wipros and the Infosys’ that are eco-friendly and devote a major portion of space for landscaping, natural lighting, ventilation and epitomise in bringing ‘the outside, inside’. Many old bungalows and Victorian-styled houses are making […] - [4D theatres in Bangalore](https://zahidjavali.com/4d-theatres-in-bangalore/): What’s better than Avatar in 3D? Avatar in 4D, ofcourse. Imagine sitting in a theatre showing a 3D film. All is fine with the screen, but suddenly things around you start to act up. One moment, it drizzles and the next, you have bubbles falling around you. Just when you think all is well, your chair starts rocking back and forth and sideways. And it’s all in sync with what is being shown on the big screen, making your movie-going experience that much richer. Welcome to 4D theatres. What started as a novelty in India at Noida’s Spice World Mall in […] - [Money magic](https://zahidjavali.com/money-magic/): March is that time of the year when we file our tax returns and plan for the next financial year. When I asked a few people well-known in the financial sector on how they manage their monies, here is a summary of what they told me. There are lessons to be learnt here. Read on… If you are terrible risk-taker, don’t be tight-fisted. Just be conservative with your money. Therefore, the stock market is out of the equation. Instead, invest in mutual funds (50%), real estate (20%), fixed deposits (20%); charity (8%) and 2% (stocks and shares). If you are pragmatic […] - [Personal finance](https://zahidjavali.com/personal-finance/): With March still staring in our face, here are ways to trim your finances and look forward to managing comfort for the next financial year. Don’t buy second best. Sooner or later, you will end up spending more and inconveniencing yourself further. Buying the latest may not be the greatest strategy. Wait for newer versions. Like those who bought the iPad realised iPad2 was better. Budgeting is about keeping the patience. Bike or walk as often as possible. Avoid over packaged, over processed and highly advertised foods. The closer a food is to its natural state, the less it tends to […] - [Bollywood’s worst films and actors](https://zahidjavali.com/bollywoods-worst-films-and-actors/): 2010 saw many flops and few successes. But then, that’s the mean average of most Bollywood films. So no one’s really complaining. They have all come to accept it and move on. But there are certain films and performances that stand out for their abysmally low entertainment value. So here go the ‘Kela’ awards, our Indian version of the Raspberry awards in the US. And the award goes to… Worst actress: Mallika Sherawat for Hisss. Worst actor: Vivek Oberoi for Prince. Worst comeback: Eesha Koppikar for Right Yaaa Wrong and Hello Darling. Unsexy award: Aruna Shields for Prince. Worst comedian: Shreyas […] - [After the Cup: Post 2010 Perceptions of South Africa](https://zahidjavali.com/world-cup-views/): Spain garnered the majority of press headlines from the FIFA World Cup tournament that took place last year. And for good reason — the Spaniards’ victory in the championship round was the country’s first ever World Cup win. Spain’s great finish also unfortunately marked a metaphorical dimmimg of the spotlight on the country that hosted their success, South Africa. Johannesburg, diamonds, apartheid, and Nelson Mandela being South Africa’s primary keywords, some might feel that the country’s decision to host this massive event did little to alter the world’s perception of the nation. The fact that this was the first WC ever […] - [Nargis Fakhri is the new girl on the block](https://zahidjavali.com/nargis-fakhri-is-the-new-girl-on-the-block/): Ranbir Kapoor, the tomboy who gets all the girls who play his co-stars, has a new girl friend. American model Nargis Fakhri. With Czech and Pakistani genes, she’s the perfect mix of Europe and Asia. A true blue Eurasian. So what does she bring? Vivacity and figure-hugging oomph. But will she click with her first Bollywood debut Rockstar? After all, it’s directed by Jab We Met director Imtiaz Ali. Not sure, but the way Ranbir and Imtiaz are recommending her to other filmmakers makes you wonder if they are doing a Salman Khan here. After all, that’s how Katrina Kaif came […] - [Shahid-Priyanka: An affair that never was?](https://zahidjavali.com/shahid-priyanka-an-affair-that-never-was/): Not sure if there was any love lost between Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. That Priyanka is a vivacious person is well-known. But what isn’t is if her vivaciousness is misconstrued as tacit approval of her co-star’s advances. It has happened with so many of her ex-es. And it happened again with Shahid Kapoor on the sets of Kaminey. Romance is great for the publicity of the film and also to ignite passion onscreen, but most romances end up as one-film wonders. Once the film shoot is over, the affair reaches ‘the end’ too. The same goes for the Shahid-Priyanka affair. […] - [Aamir Khan’s Kiran stutters on style](https://zahidjavali.com/aamir-khans-kiran-stutters-on-style/): That Aamir Khan is a great actor is well-known. But his dressing sense leaves a lot to be desired. No, not in films. But at events where he is either the chief guest or the brand ambassador. But what is appalling is his wife’s dressing sense. Kiran Rao wears the most atrocious clothes. But worst of all,  she cannot carry it off. You cannot even call it bohemian chic. It’s bohemian mayhem. Be it the skirts, jootis, shawls, overcoats, pendants, or tees, she’s a fashionista’s worst nightmare. No wonder, Aamir has no one to look up to at home. That way, […] - [Silva Mind Control method](https://zahidjavali.com/silva-mind-control-method/): A lot of self help authors talk about how we create our own reality. First, we dream up something. And then, we believe in it so much that we feel the adrenaline rush. And then, it actually happens. That’s how the universe responds to a strong-willed soul. However, not everyone can hack this. Here is where one of Jose Silva’s techniques appeals to me most. It’s his way of problem solving. Choose a real-world problem whose solution isn’t in sight. Now imagine that on your mental screen and truly live the problem. Now slide this scene off to the right of […] - [Japan: Calling long distance healers](https://zahidjavali.com/japan-calling-long-distance-healers/): My friend and energy healer Tarun Cherian is conducting a long distance healing on March 15th from 9.30pm-9.50pm IST to heal JAPAN. He was prompted by his disciple Shalu’s premonition that the world is coming to an end, a day after which the tsunami struck. Here is what he says in an email he sent out to all the long distance healers he knows. If you are one or know someone who is into long distance healing, please spread his message. And even if you happen to read this after the healing has taken place, you can go solo and send […] ## Pages - [HIRE ME](https://zahidjavali.com/hire-me/): Reach out to me for any of your content-writing requirements. From writing website landing pages to blog posts on thought leadership to long-form well-researched pieces on everything under the sun. Barring technical writing, I do everything, including editing and photography. Based out of Bangalore, I am open to remote jobs in every sphere from around the world. Why me? Read my profile here. Samples of my writing? You can go here. Some of the writing can fall into these genres… Copywriting Blogging Green Card Petitions Ghostwriting Editing & Proofreading books Scripting Press Releases Publishing Photography Social media curation & more… Sufficiently […] - [SUBSCRIBE](https://zahidjavali.com/subscribe/): Sign up to my newsletter and get Mind Blogs 1.0, my ebook, for free. Get all the latest blog posts in your inbox. Enter your email address: - [Writer. Editor. Photographer.](https://zahidjavali.com/hello-there/): This is Zahid. Zahid H Javali. Areas of expertise: Content marketing, custom publishing and event management. Acting local (Bengaluru), working global. Other worldly pursuits include citizen activism, organising public events, meditating, reading on Kindle and healing my near and dear ones. More on me HERE.   - [](https://zahidjavali.com/): Zahid Javali · Est. 1996 Bangalore · San Francisco · Austin · Dubai info@writewing.in Volume XXX · A Working Portfolio Find the evidence.Order it so thereader believes. The Author Zahid Javali has been building cases for thirty years. First for readers. Now for founders, doctors, realtors, and immigrants whose careers need a fair hearing from someone who has never met them. § I — For the reader who was just asked“do you know anyonewho can help with this?” If someone sent you this page, it’s because they trust me with something that matters: a brand that needs to be found and […] - [Write Wing Media](https://zahidjavali.com/write-wing-media-for-those-who-dont-have-to-try-too-hard/): Write Wing Media is all about the written word. From the moment it takes its shape in the head to the time it goes to print. Not to mention, it’s a custom publishing firm set up by me for those who don’t have to try too hard in getting noticed. Here are a couple of online press releases that will give you a sneak peek on what I do.  To know more, you can always visit Write Wing Media Write Wing Media gives your business a flying start Write Wing Media for top-class custom publishing   - [How to heal yourself](https://zahidjavali.com/how-to-heal-yourself/): Life is about living… and not just existing. But most of us are so drawn to the exigencies of life that we forget to live and just exist. ‘Time is short, and we are not keeping up with it’ is the common refrain. But wait. Take a deep breath. And you will realise that you can control your life, heal yourself and live longer. And you don’t have to read a Deepak Chopra or Betty Shine book for it. Here are a few simple tips that could get you singing and dancing all your life. And if you think along these […] ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/zahidjavali.com/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)