Lum Shum

India Today 2017 : Republic Day

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 08:04:00 +0000

India, officially the Republic of India (Bhārat Gaṇarājya), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country (with over 1.2 billion people), and the most populous democracy in the world. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast. It shares land borders with Pakistan to the west;^[d] China, Nepal, and Bhutanto the northeast; and Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh to the east. In the Indian Ocean, India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Thailand and Indonesia. Its capital is New Delhi; other metropolises include Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.

Home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation and a region of historic trade routes and vast empires, the Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history.^[18] Four religions–Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism–originated in India, whereas Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam arrived in the first millennium CE, and they also played a part in shaping the region's diverse culture. Gradually annexed and brought under the administration of the British East India Company from the early 18th century and administered directly by the United Kingdom after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, it became an independent nation in 1947 after a struggle for independence that was marked by non-violent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi.

In 2015, the Indian economy was the world's seventh largest by nominal GDP and third largest by purchasing power parity.^[15] Following market-based economic reforms in 1991, India became one of the fastest-growing major economies and is considered a newly industrialised country. However, it continues to face the challenges of poverty, corruption, malnutrition, and inadequate public healthcare. A nuclear weapons state and regional power, it has the third largest standing army in the world and ranks sixth in military expenditure among nations. India is a federalconstitutional republic governed under a parliamentary system and consists of 29 states and 7 union territories. It is a pluralistic, multilingual and multi-ethnic society and is also home to a diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats.

NEW DELHI: The nation's military prowess, its state-of-the-art defence platforms and its diverse cultural and social traditions are on showcase on the Capital's Rajpath as the country celebrates its 68th Republic Day.

As per tradition, the Republic Day Parade ceremony commenced at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lead the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath.

An eternal flame burns at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to commemorate the indomitable courage of Indian Armed Forces personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the country's service.

The PM and President's cavalcades then moved down Rajpath, where after the unfurling of the National Flag, the national anthem was played with a 21 gun salute. Then, the parade began and President Pranab Mukherjee rose to take the salute.

For the first time, a contingent of UAE soldiers marched in the parade. The 149-member Presidential Guard, which was led by a UAE band consisting of 35 musicians, presented a ceremonial salute to President Mukherjee. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and a son of the UAE's founding president, is the chief guest at the Republic Day parade+ this year.

In another first, a contingent of the National Security Guard (NSG), popularly known as the Black Cat Commandos, also participated in the parade.

The parade was commanded by Lt General Manoj Mukund Naravane, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.

The army showcased its Tank T-90 and Infantry Combat Vehicle and Bramhos Missile, one of its treasured armour, its Weapon Locating Radar Swathi, Transportable Satellite Terminal and Akash Weapon System.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) tableau rolled down the Rajpath with the theme "Air Dominance Through Network Centric Operations". The tableau displayed the scaled down models of Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, AWACS, UAV, Apache and Communication Satellite.

The Indian Navy's "Professional Force-Anchoring Stability, Security and National Prosperity" tableau showcased the lethal marine commandos proceeding for action, the indigenously built Kolkata Class Destroyer and the Kalvari Class next generation attack submarines. It also displayed a model of the P-8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Tableaux from 17 states and Union Territories, six Central Ministries and Departments presented the varied historical, art and cultural heritage of the country.

The heroic motor bike stunts of 'Dare Devils'- the motorcycle display team of Corps of Military Police - was a big hit with the parade viewers.

The grand finale of the parade was a spectacular flypast by the IAF's Mi-35 helicopters, indigenous combat light aircraft Tejas, Jaguars and Sukhois.

Prime Minister Modi earlier took to his Twitter handle to greet the nation on this occasion.

Security is tight in the national capital, particularly around Rajpath and the parade route. Multi-layered security has been put in place and elaborate ground-to-air security and traffic arrangements have been made, ANI reported.

As many as 50,000 security personnel, drawn from Delhi Police and the central security forces, are guarding every nook and corner in the entire Central and New Delhi region. CCTV cameras have also been installed and eight control rooms have been set up to monitor the feed from the cameras.

Video: मथुरा में गोवर्धन की छटा निराली,गिरिराज को लगा छप्पन भोग

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 16:28:00 +0000

दिवाली के एक दिन बाद ब्रज के घर-घर में गिरिराज पूजा और अन्नकूट का उल्लास रहा। भक्ति रस में घुली गोवर्धन की आध्यात्मिक छटा निराली थी। गोवर्धन पूजा के आधार गिरिराज जी के धाम जो पहुंच सके, वे दिव्य दर्शन के साक्षी बनकर खुद को धन्य मान रहे थे। देशी-विदेशी भक्तों ने पंचामृत से गिरिराज शिला का दुग्धाभिषेक और छप्पन भोग लगाया। गोवर्धन परिक्र्रमा समेत अन्य स्थानों के मंदिरों में अन्नकूट व छप्पन भोग के दर्शन हुए।
सोमवार को गोवर्धन में गिरधर गौड़ीय मठ में बड़ी संख्या में देशी-विदेशी भक्त गिरिराज पूजा के लिए उमड़े। भजन संकीर्तन पर झूमते गाते भक्त गौड़ीय मठ से चलकर राजा मंदिर पहुंचे। यहां सर्वप्रथम गिरिराज शिला पर पंचामृत से दुग्धाभिषेक किया। भजन-पूजन से आह्लादित विदेशी भक्तों ने जमकर नृत्य भी किया। गिरिराज परिक्रमा के सभी गिर्राज मंदिरों में पूजा के लिए सुबह से ही लाखों भक्त गोवर्धन पहुंच चुके थे। चारों ओर एक अलौकिक उत्सव-सा था।
दोपहर तीन बजे के बाद गोवर्धन के अन्य मंदिरों यथा, दानघाटी मंदिर में भी अन्नकूट और छप्पन भोग के दर्शन हुए। श्रद्धालुओं ने बड़े प्रेम से अन्नकूट का प्रसाद भी ग्रहण किया। सुबह से ही मंदिरों और घरों में गोबर से बने गोवर्धन बनाए गए।

गोवर्धन पूजा का आधार
इस पर्व में प्रकृति के साथ मानव का सीधा संबंध दिखता है। गोवर्धन पूजा में गोधन या गाय की पूजा की जाती है। इस पर्व की अपनी मान्यता और लोक कथा है। जब श्रीकृष्ण ने गोवर्धन पर्वत को सात दिन तक अपनी अंगुली पर धारण कर ब्रजवासियों और उनके गोधन की इंद्र के कोप स्वरूप मूसलाधार वर्षा से रक्षा की थी।

सातवें दिन भगवान ने गोवर्धन को नीचे रखा और हर वर्ष गोवर्धन पूजा कर अन्नकूट उत्सव मनाने की आज्ञा दी। इस प्रकार श्रीकृष्ण ने इंद्र के अंहकार को चूर करने के साथ ही आम जनमानस को गायों के चरने के स्थान गोवर्धन पर्वत के महत्व को भी समझाया। तभी से दीपावली के दूसरे दिन यह भक्ति उत्सव परंपरा चलती आ रही है।
ब्रज के अन्य मंदिरों में भी पूजे गए गोवर्धन
गोवर्धन के अलावा मथुरा के द्वारिकाधीश, श्रीकृष्ण जन्मस्थान, वृंदावन के राधादामोदर मंदिर, इस्कॉन, केशवधाम आदि में गोवर्धन पूजा और अन्नकूट आयोजित हुए। इसके अलावा गोकुल, बलदेव, नंदगांव और बरसाना में भी घर-घर गोवर्धन पूजा व अन्नकूट हुए।

Safe And Horror Diwali 2016 - Must Read

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 15:57:00 +0000

'For me, Diwali is all about sweets and shopping, spreading love and being with family and close friends.'

Television stars have elaborate Diwali plans and some lovely memories around the festival of lights.

Take a look.

Deeksha Sonalkar

IMAGE: Deeksha Sonalkar/Twitter

Every year I celebrate Diwali with my family and friends. My uncle organises a big Diwali party and we all indulge in amazing food, dance and friendly games of taash.

Since I'm half Punjabi and half Maharashtrian, we have an array of sweets and namkeensmade at home.

My favourite childhood memory is of binging on delicious food and wearing new clothes.

I am an animal lover and have two dogs at home so I have never enjoyed bursting crackers. I also urge everyone not to burst crackers.

DMS BRO

DMSBRO, a youtube channel killed their friend for wishing happy diwali to their subscribers.

Must Watch.......

Happy Diwali Wishes 2016 : Diwali is one of the special festival for Indian’s. Send Diwali Wishes to greet your nearest one. Everyone take part in Diwali starting from Children’s to Elders. One day before of Diwali, Every one start sending Diwali Wishes to all their friends and relatives wishing them Happy Diwali. English is the language which is spoken and understood by many people these days. We have collected some of the Best Happy Diwali Wishes for you,so that you send them to your near friends to wish them a very prosperous Happy DiwAli 2016 and blessing their family with Happiness.

Ravi Dubey

IMAGE: Ravi Dubey/Twitter

I used to celebrate Diwali with my parents in Delhi during my childhood. It was usually a get together, where our relatives and friends would exchange gifts, home made delicacies and sweets.

I have been celebrating Diwali with my parents and in-laws. There is a lot of bonding, love, togetherness and festivity all around.

Leena Jumani

IMAGE: Leena Jumani/Twitter

I grew up in a colony where there were four mischievous boys.

Once during Diwali, when I was lighting a diya, and they burst crackers using the flame of my diya when it was still in my hands. I lost my temper and bashed them up! It was a funny moment and I remember it every Diwali and laugh at myself.

For me, Diwali is all about sweets and shopping, spreading love and being with family and close friends.

Samir Kochhar

IMAGE: Samir Kochhar/Twitter

Like every year, I will be celebrating Diwali in Delhi, where i was born and brought up. Diwali is a festival of twinkling lights, lots of optimism in the air, everyone dressed traditionally, a celebratory ambience that unites the nation.

My one-year old son is already excited for the festival like me. I feel like a child once again whilst celebrating Diwali with him. Bursting the occasional firecracker, binging on mithais and my favourite Indian food are some of the highlights of my celebrations.

I urge everyone to keep it clean and green and most importantly, be safe!

Priyal Gor

IMAGE: Priya Gor/Twitter

I am a Gujarati and the next day of Diwali is our celebration for the New Year. Additionally, my birthday is on November 2, hence Diwali is a time of complete celebration for me. I get to wear new clothes on successive days.

I don't burst crackers. and I wish a happy and safe Diwali to everyone.

Ashmit Patel

IMAGE: Ashmit Patel/Twitter

As kids, we used to get very excited about bursting crackers and my sister (Ameesha Patel) used to make rangolis. We used to go with dad to his office for Pooja and celebrations.

The festivity that surrounds Diwali makes us cheerful and enthusiastic. I love to celebrate Diwali with friends and family.

I am going on a vacation this Diwali as spending quality time with the family makes me happy.

Modi pays tribute to martyrs of 1965 Indo-Pak war

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 05:29:00 +0000

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid respects to martyrs of the 1965 Indo Pak war at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in Delhi on Tuesday.

Earlier on September 17, Modi paid a visit to 'Shauryanjali', an exhibition being held to commemorate the golden jubilee of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, at Rajpath in New Delhi.

Earlier on September 17, Modi paid a visit to 'Shauryanjali', an exhibition being held to commemorate the golden jubilee of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, at Rajpath in New Delhi.

The five-day exhibition showcasing major battle scenes in the 1965 war began on Tuesday and will continue till September 22.

"If you want to create history, you must also know it. The exhibition is very informative, if you are around Delhi, do visit it with your family," Modi had said after his visit.

Source

Soup’s on: A great cold-weather comfort food choice

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 05:22:00 +0000

Cool rainy days of fall call for hauling out the soup pot, I say, to simmer up something hot and hearty to warm you up from the inside out.

Last week’s deluge of downpours had me hunkering down at home in comfort food creation mode stirring up a few super simple soul-pleasing soups to tuck away in the fridge and enjoy throughout the week for lunch or dinner.

Shrewd shortcuts like using steam-in-the bag broccoli, as well as prepared pesto, will cut your prep time down considerably, making the Beer Cheddar Broccoli Soup and the Zucchini Pesto Blender Soup best choices for busy days. And while the Chimichanga Chili requires a bit of time to roast the pork tenderloin, it is well worth the extra effort. (You could always roast the pork ahead of time, wrap and refrigerate it and assemble the soup just before serving, too.)

BEER CHEDDAR BROCCOLI SOUP

Serves 4

1 package steam-in-the-bag broccoli (Albertsons produce department)

2 tbsp. butter

½ cup minced red onion

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tbsp. flour

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 cup beer

1 cup chicken stock

2 cups half and half

3 cups cheddar, grated + additional for garnish

Salt

White pepper

Steam broccoli in bag in microwave according to package directions. Set aside. Melt butter in medium saucepan or Dutch oven. Sauté red onion and garlic in butter until softened. Whisk in flour, then whisk in Worcestershire, beer, chicken stock and half and half. Simmer briefly.

Stir in cheddar until melted. Season with salt and white pepper. Stir in steamed broccoli. Distribute among soup bowls. Garnish with additional grated cheddar cheese.

——

ZUCCHINI PESTO BLENDER SOUP

Serves 4

2 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced

Salt

Freshly ground pepper

2 tsp. Herbes de Provence

2-3 tbsp. prepared pesto

2 cups chicken stock

½ cup cream

Heat butter and olive oil in large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add zucchini, sprinkle with salt and pepper and sauté zucchini until golden brown. Remove sautéed zucchini from pan and transfer to blender, saving a few for garnish, if desired. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth, thinning with additional chicken stock, if desired. Transfer soup to sauce pan and warm over medium heat.

Serve hot. Garnish with sautéed zucchini.

——

CHIMICHANGA CHILI

Serves 6-8, can be doubled

2 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp. flour

14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes (I used fire-roasted with garlic, and they were delicious.)

2 cups chicken stock

2 cups pork tenderloin, roasted and cooled

7-ounce can mild green chiles

½ tsp. salt

2 cups tortilla strips, for serving

1 cup mild cheddar cheese, grated

Brush a rimmed roasting pan with olive oil. Place a one-pound pork tenderloin roast in prepared baking pan. Cover with ½ cup salsa, spreading to cover top of roast. Bake at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes. Let cool completely. Slice into ¼ inch cubes. Heat Dutch oven or large heavy soup pot over medium heat.

Add butter and melt. Add flour and stir until blended. Cook, stirring frequently until golden brown. Add diced tomatoes and stir, cooking briefly until slightly thickened. Add chicken stock, cubed roasted pork tenderloin, green chiles and salt, stirring to combine. Cook until heated through.

Place a handful of tortilla strips in bottom of each soup bowl.

Ladle Chimichanga Chili on top of tortilla strips and top with grated cheese.

Source

Kapil Sharma: I'm not a hero..

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 05:16:00 +0000

Mumbai, Sept. 22 -- Kapil Sharma is probably one of the most popular faces on TV right now. Soon, he will make his big-screen debut.

However, the comedian-turned, actor says he isn't feeling "any kind of pressure". Here, he talks about dealing with competition, singing in films, and bumping into 'master blaster' Sachin Tendulkar recently.

You have a huge fan following on TV. Now, as you transition to the big screen, do their expectations of you give you sleepless nights?

I don't think there is any kind of pressure on me. I have taken this step after a lot of consideration. This is what people expect of me. My popularity is a result of my show, and people expect me to do a comedy film. I am doing something in my own genre, and people will have fun.

So, do you consider other actors competition now?

I'm not a hero. I'm an actor. I have always done theatre, but comedy just happened on its own. So, if I'm doing so well in something that just happened to me, then my film should be so much better [as I have been acting for years now]. I also feel that if there are 10 films, and all of them are good, then people will go and watch all 10 of them.

After singing in your film, are you open to singing for other actors in their projects?

If someone gives me a chance, why not? But I will sing only if my voice suits the project. In my film, too, I had told [film-makers] Abbas -Mustan that I didn't want to spoil my own movie by inserting a song randomly.

If you were making a movie, who would your dream heroine be?

Deepika Padukone, who else?

We heard you bumped into Sachin Tendulkar recently.

Yes, while I was travelling to Delhi to meet the President of India, I bumped into him. We exchanged pleasantries. He was aware about the release date of my film, and I was very surprised.
Source

Samsung's S Health App Now Available for Non-Galaxy Android Phones

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 09:16:00 +0000

Samsung's S Health app was released on Google Play earlier this year but was limited to Samsung Galaxy devices. Now, the South Korean manufacturer has rolled out an update to its S Health app adding support for non-Samsung Android smartphones.

It's worth noting that S Health app until now was a feature available to Samsung devices only and came preloaded on high-end devices. The move to add support for non-Samsung phones could be connected to the Gear S2 smartwatch which is set to go on sale starting next month, and will also feature support for non-Samsung Android smartphones.

The S Health app is now available on Google Play and is compatible with any Android smartphone running Android 4.4 KitKat and above. The S Health app natively supports over 70 languages including English, French, and Chinese.

For those unaware, the S Health app is an all-in-one companion app that can track everyday activities, offer coaching to users for daily goals, and improve fitness with various training programs.

The new update rolling out to S Health app adds health tips to the dashboard; though it is limited to users in Korea, UK, and the US.

Other features added in the app include simplified food logging and portion changing; new setting added for screen lock password; improved location info accuracy during exercise (for Chinese market), and also brings support for all Samsung smartphones since Galaxy S III apart from non-Samsung Android smartphones. Samsung's S Health will be up against the Google Fit app that performs almost similar functions.

Samsung at IFA revealed more details about the new Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic smartwatches, including the prices. Both the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic smartwatches would be going on sale starting next month.
Source

Is Quantico really Priyanka Chopra's big Hollywood break?

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 09:10:00 +0000

copyrightBollywood star Priyanka Chopra has been featured in billboards and posters across the US as the starring role in the TV show Quantico. But will the show finally catapult her into the American consciousness? Aseem Chhabra explains.

Two years ago Priyanka Chopra showed up to make milkshake at a West Hollywood eatery.

The milkshake was named Exotic, after her single with rapper Pitbull. Since she does not cook much, she essentially made almond milk, with bananas. And outside the Millions of Milkshake store, a couple of hundred Bollywood fans - mostly Indian American residents of Los Angeles, showed up.

Making the milkshake was part of the solid public relations campaign to build brand Chopra in the US - a journey that started in 2012 when she signed up with the Hollywood talent agency CAA and released her first single In My City, which debuted on NFL's Thursday Night Football show.

While Chopra looked hot and was definitely trying the rock star image, many football fans were not thrilled with a singer with foreign looks. And they were not silent either, calling her everything from an Arab terrorist, to a fake looking Kim Kardashian on social media.

'Amazing response'
Publicly Chopra was calm about the criticism. In an interview with Wall Street Journal television she said:

"I've been in the limelight, in a public space, for very long. I understand dealing with brickbats and bouquets…And I've dealt with racism… I'm called a terrorist, because I happen to be brown and from South Asia, and (have received) hate mail saying 'You're not white, why should you be on NFL?' Despite that, I'd rather focus on the millions of other people who've been sending emails or tweets and …saying it's amazing."

It is hard to say if there were millions of other people who actually wrote to her. Movie stars have a way of overdramatising reality. But in a couple of weeks millions are going to see Chopra in the new ABC show Quantico.

In the new series Chopra plays Alex Parrish, a FBI recruit who is Indian American in the true sense. Her mother is Indian in the show, while her father is Caucasian (hence her name). Also, a family tragedy takes Parrish to Mumbai for 10 years, which explains why Chopra's character speaks with an educated upper class Indian accent.

Image copyrightEric Liebowitz

Image captionPriyanka Chopra plays Alex Parrish, an Indian American FBI recruit in Quantico

Image copyrightGuy D'Alema

Image captionA family emergency that forces the Parrish family to move to Mumbai for 10 years explains Alex Parrish's high class Indian accent

Image copyrightAseem Chhabra

Image captionABC seems to be really banking on Quantico with a large marketing budget for the series

But here is the twist.

Chopra is still not a household name in the US. In fact, it is safe to say that despite her music, and even the stunning Guess Jeans campaign that was shot by Bryan Adams in late 2013, most Americans do not know the Bollywood star.

That could definitely change if Quantico becomes a big hit. In the season as major networks unveil their new television shows, ABC is really banking on Quantico and posters of Chopra's face are appearing all across America. In New York City the poster with Chopra's face, as she holds her FBI identity card to her full red lips, is plastered in every subway station, as well as on buses and bus stops.

There are similar reports from other major American cities - Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC. And this past week I saw the same posters all over Toronto as well.

Chopra's face is surely captivating and with such a massive marketing campaign the show which starts on 27 September should draw in large audiences for the first few episodes at least. The first episode that ABC has shared with journalists is very gripping with enough twists to ensure that one would want to watch the next segment.

Bollywood breakout?

But the network is taking a big gamble with its marketing campaign. And it is remarkable that this is the first time a Bollywood actor of Chopra's stature has been the subject of such a massive campaign in North America.

Recently Western Union posted ads in some subways stations in New York City showing the face of Shah Rukh Khan. But there are only little more than three million Indian Americans in the US. And if we add other South Asians to the pool, the number is still not more than five million. Both Chopra and Khan are really not known outside this small pool.

A quick look at the cast from Quantico indicates that most of the actors have played in indie films or other television shows. But none of the women in the group have been crowned Miss World. And nobody in that cast is as famous as Chopra - given her Bollywood status.

Image copyrightGetty Images

Image captionPriyanka Chopra is the best known name in the Quantico cast

Clearly times are changing and producers and other television executives are opening up to the possibilities of fresh faces that represent the mosaic of ethnicities that define America.

It started with African American, Asian and Latino actors. But now many sit-coms on television star one brown South Asian character?

Chopra's agents have been hard at work to push her career in the US. But she still has one foot in Bollywood. Later this year she will be seen in Bajirao Mastani and just this week the poster of her 2016 film Jai Gangaajal was released on social media.

If Quantico takes off - and hit television shows can continue for years - Chopra will be spending a lot more time in the US. The good news for her is that she will not have to resort to making milkshakes to get press.

Source

First Poster For Tamasha Released

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:54:00 +0000

Deepika Padukone has released the first poster for her upcoming film Tamasha in which she will, yet again, share screen space with Ranbir Kapoor. The poster shows the duo in a romantic pose and a tag line “Why always the same story?” The background for the poster is a weird collection of images which include Ravana with his 10 heads, a clown and a couple who seem to be Romeo and Juliet.

The movie has been shot in several locations in Delhi including Vasant Kunj, Hauz Khas village and Cyber Hub in Gurgaon as well as in Corsica. The due will be returning to the screen together after the 2013 hit Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. The movie is directed by Imtiaz Ali.

Tamasha is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. The director and Ranbir will be teaming up after four years when they came together for Rockstar. Tamasha will hit theatres on November 27.

Source

Former President APJ Abdul Kalam Dies at 83

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:02:00 +0000

File photo of former President APJ Abdul Kalam (Associated Press photo)

SHILLONG: India's 11th President APJ Abdul Kalam died on Monday evening at a hospital in Meghalaya, where he had gone to deliver a lecture. He was 83.

The former President, who was in office from 2002 to 2007, had collapsed during the lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong, around 6.30 pm. He was taken to the Bethany hospital. Doctors said he had suffered from a massive cardiac arrest.

"President Kalam was brought to the hospital at 7 pm. When he brought in there was no sign of life. He was taken to ICU to try and revive him, which was futile," hospital sources told NDTV.

The government will declare a seven-day national mourning, reported Press Trust of India, quoting Union Home Secretary LC Goel.

Paying a special tribute to Dr Kalam later in the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "My mind is filled with so many memories, so many interactions with him. Always marvelled at his intellect, learnt so much from him."

Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, "Deeply saddened at the sudden demise of the former president of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He was an inspiration to an entire generation."

Messages of condolence also poured in from various leaders.

Known as the Missile Man of India, Dr Kalam had played a pivotal role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear test in 1998. One of the most loved Presidents, he was also known as the People's President. While in his 70s, he was nominated for the MTV Youth Icon of the Year award in 2003 and in 2006.

For his achievements, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan and Bharat Ratna.

Dr Kalam was born in Rameswaram on October 15, 1931, to a humble family. His father was a boatman.

A bright student, his interest in flying led to a degree in aeronautical engineering, and eventually to supervising the development of India's guided missile programme.

He was also the author of 10 books. His autobiography, Wings of Fire, written in 1999, had been a best seller.

Dr Kalam's last tweet, posted in the morning, read:

Going to Shillong.. to take course on Livable Planet earth at iim. With @srijanpalsingh and Sharma.
— APJ Abdul Kalam (@APJAbdulKalam) July 27, 2015

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LED TVs: 10 things you need to know

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 04:52:00 +0000

Samsung, LG, Sony, and other manufacturers pushing so-called LED TVs these days, it's high time that I--with an assist from our resident video guru, David Katzmaier--sort through all the marketing mumbo jumbo and provide some insight into just what an LED TV is. Here goes.

1. An LED TV is not a new kind of TV.

I appreciate a good marketing ploy as much as the next guy, but an LED TV is just an LCD TV that's backlit with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) instead of standard cold-cathode fluorescent lights (orCCFLs). And though they became well-known last year with Samsung's ultrathin models, LED-backlit LCDs have been on mainstream store shelves since 2007, when Samsung's LN-T4681F debuted.

Unlike plasma and OLED, which are emissive technologies where each pixel is its own discrete light source, LCD is a transmissive technology where each pixel has to be illuminated from behind, or backlit.

2.There are two LED backlight configurations

Initially, LED-based displays like the Samung LN-T4681F were backlit by what's referred to as a "full array" of LEDs behind the LCD, across the back of the panel--just like a standard CCFL backlight. But to create even thinner TVs, engineers needed to eliminate that extra layer of LEDs and move it to the sides of the display. With this form of backlighting, the LEDs are affixed to all four sides of the TV and light is projected inward to the middle of the TV via "lightguides." These types of TVs are commonly referred to as "edge-lit" LED-based LCDs, and are by far the most common available today.

EDGE-LIT LED-BASED LCD BY SAMSUNG EXPLODES--PHOTOS SEE FULL GALLERY

Local-dimming LED backlights can dim or turn off individually as needed.

3. Each configuration may also offer "local dimming."

All current LED-based LCDs with rear-placed, full-array LED backlighting--except the Sharp LC-LE700UN series from 2009--feature a technology called "local dimming." With local dimming, portions of the backlight can be dimmed or brightened independently when different areas of the picture get darker or brighter. For example, the LEDs behind the words in a credit sequence can illuminate while the ones behind the black background remain dim.

Being able to dim portions of the screen helps reduce the amount of light that leaks through to darkened pixels, and the end result is blacks that appear darker and more realistic. Since black levels are crucial to contrast ratio, the deeper the blacks, the more the picture--and colors--appear to pop. Also, the image as a whole will seem crisper. A couple of examples of local dimming done right are Samsung's UNB8500 series and LG's LH8500 series--respectively the best and second-best LCDs we've ever tested.

One downside to local dimming is an effect called "blooming," where brighter areas bleed into darker ones and lighten adjacent black levels. This "blooming" effect varies widely from model to model; it's pretty noticeable on the Toshiba 46SV670U, for example, and much more difficult to notice on the Samsung and LG 8500 sets. Incidence of blooming is directly related to how many local-dimming LED elements ("dimmable zones") are behind the screen, but some manufacturers won't divulge that information.

With standard CCFL backlighting and most edge-lit LED backlighting, the entire backlight dims or brightens at once (aka "global dimming"), if at all. There are a few 2010 LED TVs from Samsung and LG, however, that can perform a semblance of local dimming from an edge-lit configuration. Samsung calls its technology "precision dimming" to help differentiate it from true local dimming, and it's found only on the high-end UNC8000 series. (Samsung has not announced a 2010 TV with full-array local dimming.) LG calls its version "LED Plus," and it's found on the LH5500 and LX6500 series. In our tests we liked Samsung's version better, but neither performed as well as true local dimming.

4. Edge-lit TVs are really thin, but uniformity suffers.

As I said, the key benefit to an edge-lit LED-backlighting scheme is that manufacturers can make thinner TVs. However, the downside is that the backlighting isn't quite as uniform. With edge-lit displays, if you put a white image up, you may notice that the outer edges of the screen appear brighter, or "hotter." Also, when you put up an all-black image, the edges of the screen will appear lighter (grayer).

5. LED backlighting of either variety doesn't improve LCD's poor off-angle viewing.

Unlike with plasma, one of the big downsides to LCD TVs is that the picture degrades if you're sitting off to the side or the TV is placed too high or low, based on your eye level. LED backlighting doesn't change any of this and, in some cases, may actually make things worse.

The Samsung 8500, for example, currently offers among the best black levels of any LCD we've seen--so long as you're sitting in the sweet spot, with the middle of the screen between your eyes. Move a few feet to the left or right and you'll notice that the picture doesn't look as good. Why is this so apparent? Well, the problem is that you're starting with such a good picture, so you're more apt to notice the difference when you move to the side or stand up and look down at the TV. With a TV picture that doesn't look as good to begin with, the difference doesn't look as stark when you move off axis. Make sense?

6. LED backlighting is even more efficient than standard fluorescent backlighting.

It's definitely true that LED backlighting can cut down on power use, and some LED-backlit LCDs are, inch for inch, the most efficient flat panels available. On the flip-side, standard fluorescent backlighting is getting more efficient itself.

Our survey of TVs we've reviewed since 2008 finds that LED TVs use, on average, about 101 watts, compared with 111 watts for standard LCD TVs. Of course, screen size and picture brightness can affect power use significantly, but even in the largest screen sizes LED saves only about $20 per year.

On the other hand, it's also worth noting that LCD TVs of both varieties continue to be significantly more energy efficient than plasma TVs. For example, Panasonic's 50-inch TC-P50G20 plasma costs $46.55 per year after calibration, whereas the 52-inch Sony KDL-52NX800 LED costs $20.96.

7. LED backlighting will get better--but how much better is debatable.

Though it's true that manufacturers' backlighting schemes will continue to improve with time, we've heard from industry insiders that the real advancements will be in edge-lit technology. Engineers are trying to improve edge-lit backlighting to the point that it equals or even surpasses full-array LED backlighting.

One of the issues with full-array backlighting (that features local dimming) is that to truly perfect it would require 2.1 million LEDs to individually light 2.1 million pixels (in a 1080p TV). Adding that many LEDs simply isn't cost efficient, and sources tell us that for the foreseeable future, engineers have maxed out the number of LEDs they can add to a panel without making the end product prohibitively expensive.

8. LED equals higher price tag.

While we're on the topic of expensive...as you're probably aware, LED-powered LCD TVs cost more than non-LED models. The profusion of LED models in 2010 has improved selection, especially among smaller screen sizes, but the cost premium for LED is typically at least $400.

LG's least-expensive 32-inch LED, for example, is the 32LE5400 ($1100 at Best Buy currently), whereas the company's most-expensive non-LED at that size is the 32LD550 ($700). Sony's KDL-46EX600 (LED: $1,350) and KDL-46EX500 (non-LED: $990) provide another example at 46 inches, as do Samsung'sUN46C5000 (LED: $1,350) and LN46C550 ($950). In 2010 LED is priced as the major step-up feature of LCD TVs.

On the other hand, with the entry of brands like Vizio and even Westinghouse into the LED TV market, we expect competition to intensify and prices to fall quickly over the next year. The excellent Vizio VF551XVT ($1,400) is a 55-incher that costs hundreds less than similar models from traditional brands.

9. Top LED TVs can come close to the picture quality of the best plasmas, but they still have drawbacks.
LCD TVs have long been knocked for not producing the deep blacks of plasma TVs. Well, with the introduction of LED backlighting with local dimming, blacks on the best LED TVs can go toe-to-toe with the blacks on some of the best plasmas, and the picture is outstanding. Also, as noted, LED-backlit LCD TVs are more energy efficient than plasmas and weigh less. But off-angle viewing and picture uniformity remain a sticking point. With plasma, by comparison, you can sit to the side of the TV and the picture won't degrade, and blooming and other uniformity problems are nonexistent.

On the other hand, we haven't seen any major picture quality benefits to edge-lit LED technology--with or without dimming. In some cases, LED TVs have worse picture quality than their standard CCFL-backlit cousins. As usual, performance varies widely from model to model, but don't expect LED to automatically equate to a better picture.

10. If you don't have your picture settings correct, LED or non-LED won't make a difference.

You can have the best HDTV in the world with the latest and greatest technology, but if it's not set up correctly, it can look pretty run of the mill.

Source

7 Insane Ways Music Affects The Body (According to Science)

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 04:26:00 +0000

The world is chock full of ear hurt that some people willingly refer to as music. The Jonas Brothers, Lady Gaga, Conway Twitty; they all produce high quality records and 8-tracks for our enjoyment whether we like it or not.
But music--even terrible music--has a stunning amount of power over our bodies. For instance science says music can...

#7. Repair Brain Damage

Slapping neuroscience right across the face, music is able to take stroke, lesion or other brain-damaged patients who have lost the partial ability to see or speak and return it to them. The Kenny Rogers Effect--not named because it deals with gorging yourself on chicken or replacing your old, grandfatherly face with a shiny new rubber one--takes patients with visual neglect, the inability to recognize half of what they see, and lightens the effects of the damage. Patients who only shave half their face or grab for the right boob at a strip club can now put that dollar bill in the left or right side of her thong. The Gambler never stops being awesome.

As long as she's dancing to Kenny Rogers...

Patients with left-side brain damage who can no longer speak can find they are able to sing words, often without trouble or training. After that, it's just a matter of time before they're able to speak simple sentences with practice. That may not sound like much, but if you've ever tried to order a side of fries with left-hand only charades you'll understand what a blessing this can be.

How Does it Work?

Melodic intonation therapy, or singing until you can talk, takes advantage of the fact that language functions are located in the left brain, but music lives over on the right side of the brain. So, when that asshole stroke robs you of your ability to speak, you can train your brain to move those functions to the other side by associating music with language. This essentially rewires a lifetime of growth and an entire history of evolution into meaninglessness interpretations of random head noises from a guy who hasn't shaved his beard since the 70s.
Listening to actual non-terrible music has an additional effect, since pleasurable music releases dopamine that simply makes certain parts of your brain function better (particularly if they were damaged before).

Dopamine is your brain's natural crack

In a nutshell, music gives your brain a massage and fills it with happy chemicals, turning you from a one-eyed mute into an Island in the Stream.

#6. Kick an Addiction

As it turns out, performing music can be relaxing and can create a distraction from withdrawal symptoms; songwriting can help patients confront impulse control and self-deception and allows an output for negative emotions; hence the entire songbook of Raffi.

It has even been found that listening to music can help aid the detox stage of recovery from drug addiction, and if applied frequently could cut down on the number of pain-killers patients need. Indeed, it turns out GWAR may be just as helpful as Percocet.

How Does it Work?

Music directly affects chemicals called neurotransmitters which relay information in our head. Drugs work in a similar way, except they make your brain lazy and convince it to stop making its own chemicals, because why do work when sweet China White is there to making everything all better? But when you stop taking drugs, your brain isn't making enough chemicals and it doesn't know why because it relies on those drugs to get enough, so your body fails to function correctly and you turn into Joaquin Phoenix.

Introducing music can increase levels of some chemicals associated with heavy addictions, like dopamine and norepinephrine, but significantly cuts back on suzziness and the willingness to give blowjobs for your next fix. In addition, certain music lowers things like heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, etc., that make you feel like killing everybody around you.

Apparently the fact that half of the world's rock stars still wind up dead from overdoses despite music's addiction-breaking qualities is a testament to just how much those guys fucking love doing drugs.

#5. Boost Your Immune System

It may come as no surprise to all the Cracked readers who are also neuroscientists that music helps boost your immune system. For the rest of you, word is that intangible plinking noises can create a noticeable increase in recovery from a wide range of conditions, including heart disease, lung ailments and even the common cold. While the field of study is still young compared to fancy "real medicine" like "pharmaceuticals" and "penis phrenology" it turns out that sometimes all you need to overcome your horribly debilitating illness is AC/DC.

How Does it Work?

Music, like Jurassic Park's raptors, doesn't just attack from one side. That shit brings out a multi-pronged assault. To start, music reduces stress by reducing cortisol levels, a chemical in your brain that causes you to feel stress in the first place. Jazz, bluegrass and soft rock have been found to be especially effective at reducing stress and increasing health because of their similar musical qualities (that quality being that you don't listen to any of them).

If you're wondering if your favorite music is helping your health, a good question to ask is, "Does this music make me want to riot?" If you answered yes, it's not an optimal medicine. Likewise, if your favorite musician's last name is Cyrus you're probably dooming yourself to a life of erectile dysfunction and diabetes.

In addition to simply lowering stress levels, music also raises immune markers in your system, creating more antibodies to fight disease. Ironically, listening to Amy Winehouse could make you immune to all the potential diseases you'd be exposed to if you met Amy Winehouse. This effect is compounding: Over time, the body can learn to recognize certain types of music (particularly choir or classical music) as immune boosting, continuing the improvement of the immune system. As an added bonus, if you listen to choir music on a regular basis you're almost guaranteed to be immune to STDs as the odds of you ever having sex are quite slim.

#4. Prevent Seizures

Good news: If you're not one of those 150 suckers who get seizures from music, you may be one of the luckier ones who benefit from decreased seizure activity as a result of listening to music. This effect has even been observed in coma patients. Bet you feel better about being in a coma now.

It's been shown that music by Mozart played on the piano reduces seizure-causing activity in the brain within five minutes of exposure, with many cases showing immediate results in what scientists should called Seizure Wolfgang-banging. Experimentation with other forms of music has been minimal, but for some reason there appears to be a connection between our brains and piano music.

How Does it Work?

It's theorized that "the superorganization of the cerebral cortex . . . may resonate with the superior architecture of Mozart's music" which is a sciencey way of saying that probably Mozart gets all up in your brain in ways the Hamburger Helper jingle only wishes it could. Really though, this is another one of those medical shrug moments, as scientists really haven't figured it out yet. Kind of unfulfilling, isn't it?

"Mozart music hits a certain part of... There's a connection between the structure and a brain's...
You see, with brain music... Oh fuck you, it just works OK?"

#3. Return Lost Memories

If you want music to help you but refuse to stop smoking pot, perhaps you can at least remember where you put your car keys. Or, more applicably, if you have Alzheimer's it could help you remember pieces of your past.

Medical practitioners have found that music shows the potential to unearth memories associated with music for patients, even ones in late stages of dementia. So if you had your first kiss to the dulcet tones of Jefferson Starship, their terrible, terrible music could bring that memory right back for you.

How Does it Work?
Listening to music engages many areas of the brain in both hemispheres, which is why it can create brain activity other methods, like conversation, can't. Another area it engages is the hippocampus, which would be a hilarious name for a school for aquatic mammals but in reality is the less impressive region of the brain which handles long-term memory storage.

When you listen to music you know, feelings associated with the song are returned by the hippocampus. Sometimes the memories even manage to come along with the relevant feelings, so hopefully no music was playing the first time anyone ever kicked you in the junk. Even if memories aren't recovered, emotions and attitudes are, allowing people who can't even remember who they are from day to day or why they loathe the FOX network so much to at least laugh and sing along with off key hopefuls on American Idol.
#2. Increase Spatial Reasoning

If only there were some way to make yourself seem smarter without working. Oh, wait, there is. Mozart music, especially piano music, can raise your spatial reasoning the equivalent of nine IQ points. And that's an average, meaning there are people who get even more of a boost from it. That's over half a standard deviation or the difference between being Leonardo DiCaprio in What's Eating Gilbert Grape or Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic. Sure, you're not winning a Nobel Prize either way, but it's still a noticeable difference.

How Does it Work?
There are a lot of theories, but some claim that Mozart's music focuses the listener more, like how if you're in the midst of your sixth hour of questing in World of Warcraft you can still rain holy hell down on Hogger as long as you're listening to Ace of Spades. Others say it increases activity in crucial regions of the brain and a few industrious types say "who cares why it works, how can wemake money off of this?"

#1. Cure Parkinson's

At this point, you may be asking, "Sure, music can fix my brain, but can it fix my body?" which would indicate you expect entirely too much from iTunes. No amount of power ballads is going to cure your heartburn or trim a few pounds off anyone's overly-gelatinous ass. However, if you have Parkinson's disease, it just might be able to help. Victims of Parkinson's suffer from muscle spasms, locking muscles, balance problems and sketchy scientists with kick ass time machines. As it turns out, applying music can instantly resolve the physical issues of Parkinson's in many victims.

Take Rande Gedaliah, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2003 and found she had muscle spasms, balance problems and difficulty walking. The disease eventually led to a serious fall in the shower. Things were looking pretty grim until one day she found out she could listen to music and suddenly be able to move with ease, the type of music determining the speed she walks at. We Are the Champions let her walk a slow clip and Born in the USA made her move faster still. Anything by Nickelback sent her spiraling into a rage.

Ancient warriors listened to their Nickelback equivalent, thrashing and scraping bones on rocks,
to produce a similar effect before combat.

How Does it Work?

When you're locked in your room, listening to your old N'Sync CDs, have you ever noticed your foot tapping on its own? That's not just because you have terrible taste in music. It's because the portions of the brain which deal with rhythm and movement are so automated that it requires no conscious attention to move to a beat. It's like your brain going behind your back to get things done because it knows it can't rely on you to bust an appropriate move when you hear "Bye Bye Bye."

This movement isn't handled by the same process as walking up the stairs or hilariously farting with your armpit. Suddenly, patients with bradykinesia--an inability to initiate movement--can move instantly as their brain interprets the music and sends movement signals to their legs, essentiallytricking their bodies into moving. We'll say that again for you: Music can trick your broken, unresponsive body into obedience. Think about it: How many times have you thrown your hands in the air? When that happened, did you just not care? Science says that's because you had no control.

Music also helps other Parkinson's-related issues, including loss of balance and spasms. It's also been found that playing music creates an improvement in people with the disease, and drum circles are being used as treatment in music therapy groups, presumably because drums are cheaper than fancy-ass medical equipment, anyway.

When hippies become doctors.

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India's Sanju Samson called up as Ambati Rayudu is ruled out of tour

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 04:02:00 +0000

Injury concern: Ambati Rayudu.

India suffered a big blow ahead of their third and final one-dayer against Zimbabwe when their top run-getter of the series Ambati Rayudu was ruled out of the tour with a leg injury.

Rayudu, 29, hurt himself during the second one-dayer, which India won by 62 runs and he will be replaced by wicketkeeper batsman Sanju Samson.

#ZIMvIND @Craig_Ervine77 currently undergoing a fitness test. Looking solid! #ZimTurnUp pic.twitter.com/oW7bH1Focu
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) July 13, 2015

Rayudu will be sorely missed for the remainder of the series, which also includes two Twenty20 matches, as he was prolific in the two ODIs scoring 165 runs. The Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a statement yesterday the right-handed batsman will take nearly three weeks to recover from the injury. “Rayudu pulled his right quadriceps muscles and will require two to three weeks of rehabilitation,” BCCI said.

Rayudu’s absence provides an opportunity for Samson to make his international debut.

The 20-year-old Kerala cricketer considered himself “lucky” to be selected for the series.

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“I am very happy and excited that I have been given a chance to play in the Indian team,” Samson said.

“The Indian team is the world’s best team. I am very lucky to get a call to play for the country,” he added.

Samson’s selection puts pressure on part-time wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa, who has had a poor series so far.

India, who have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, will be looking to test their bench strength ahead of the Twenty20 matches.

With the middle-order batsmen Uthappa, Manoj Tiwary and Kedar Jadhav failing to fire with a combined total of 58 runs in the two games, top order batsman Manish Pandey may get a look-in alongwith Samson.
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Lesser known celebrity food secrets

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 19:17:00 +0000

Want the food fad of the stars?

Here are food and drinks that celebrities reckon makes them more beautiful.

Save yourself some money on posh products and eat your way to sparkling eyes, glossy hair and gorgeous-looking skin. We all know eating the right food and drink makes you healthier, but it can also make you more beautiful. Eating three portions of yellow fruit and vegetables every day can make you more attractive, according to a new study by the University of St Andrews, which revealed that it took just six weeks for women to notice their skin was firmer and had a glow. It's all down to natural pigments called carotenoids — found in foods like tomatoes, carrots and oranges — which gives them their colour.

They boost skin tone, slow down aging and stop toxins from making it look dull and pasty. Celebrities like Katy Perry and Gwyneth Paltrow are all said to have tweaked their diet to boost beauty. Lots of anti-aging products are a mix of the ingredients you'll find in the foods you eat every day, including eggs, oats and oily fish. So save yourself some money on posh products and eat your way to sparkling eyes, glossy hair and gorgeous-looking skin.
For a natural face-lift

What you need: Vitamin E
Find it in: Oats
Celeb fan: Jennifer Lopez
These are one of the true superfoods, according to nutritionist Ricky Hay. He says: "Oats contain the complex carbohydrates we need for energy, plus B vitamins, vitamin E, fibre, selenium and calcium, all of which help to give the body some powerful anti-aging protection." Eating oats can also help boost the production of baby skin cells, which keep your complexion firm and plump, thereby acting like a natural face-lift. They also work by stimulating the immune system.
Tip: Eat a bowl of porridge as a mid-morning snack. You could try topping it with a handful of fresh berries and seeds.

For healthy teeth & gums

What you need: Zinc
Find it in: Black and green tea
Celeb fan: Angelina Jolie
Zinc helps build strong bones, keeps our gums pink and healthy, and prevents gum disease. Swap your normal cuppa for redbush tea. It's caffeine-free, which means you can drink more of it and as consultant nutritionist Jane Griffin explains: "Unlike ordinary tea and coffee, it won't stain your teeth."

For less cellulite

What you need: Vitamin A
Find it in: Avocado
Celeb fan: Gwyneth Paltrow
This food is made up of good-for-you oils, including oleic acid that acts as a natural moisturiser. And, according to naturopath Max Tomlinson: "They also have a clever alkalizing effect on the body that helps stop the breakdown of cells that make skin sag as well prevent toxin build-up that can lead to cellulite."
Tip: Try mixing up some guacamole by mashing together 1 ripe avocado, ½ small red onion, 1 small chilli, 1 tomato and black pepper and eat with sticks of raw pepper.

For stronger, healthy nails

What you need: Vitamin D
Find it in: Fish
Celeb fan: Liz Hurley
Better known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is found in oily fish like salmon and mackerel, which also contain omega-3 fatty acids that keep the nail bed healthy and speed up growth. Vitamin D works with calcium to help nails grow long and stops them from splitting.

Tip: Try to include three portions of oily fish in your diet each week.

For glossy locks

What you need: Selenium
Find it in: Bananas
Celeb fan: Katy Perry
A must for super-shiny, glossy-looking hair. According to nutritionist Lorna Driver-Davies: "This trace mineral helps the thyroid promote healthy hair growth and keeps it healthy." You can find it in lots of foods, including cheese, chicken, brazil nuts and bananas.

Tip: Freeze a banana for two hours — the result tastes like ice-cream.

For sparkling, bright eyes

What you need: Vitamin B12 and lutein
Find it in: Eggs
Celeb fan: Cheryl Cole
They are protein packed and contain lutein, an ingredient the body can't make, but our eyes need it. Nutritional consultant Gemma Landau says: "Eggs are also a great source of vitamin B12 or riboflavin, which keep eyes bright."
Tip: Start the day with scrambled eggs tossed with cherry tomatoes, which contain the vitamins the body needs to absorb protein.

Source

Aerogel: See-Through, Strong as Steel & Ligher than Air

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 07:49:00 +0000

Despite its incredibly low density, aerogel is one of the most powerful materials on the planet. It can support thousands of times its own weight, block out intense heat, cold and sound – yet it is 1,000 times less dense than glass, nearly as transparent and is composed of %99.8 air. The lowest-density silica-based aerogels are even lighter than air.

Despite its fragility in certain regards and its incredible lack of density, aerogel has amazing thermal, acoustical and electrical insulation properties as illustrated by the images here. A single one-pound block can also support half a ton of weight. NASA continues to find new space-based applications for this incredible material.

An aerogel window one inch thick has the effective insulative capacity of a ten-inch thick glass window system. While it is still expensive and has other limitations, this material – originally developed nearly a century ago but still undergoing experimentation – could prove to be one of the most influential materials of the 21st Century.

Aside from its other capabilities, aerogel also has amazing absorbing abilities. Some speculate it could be the future solution to oil spills. It is also being tested as a possible slow-release drug deliver system for potential human patients.
Read more: http://dornob.com/aerogel-see-through-strong-as-steel-ligher-than-air/#ixzz3fkuBidZD

Comic-Con cosplay could turn into Hollywood costuming career

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 06:51:00 +0000

Chris Pizzello
Contestants "The Women of the Haunted Mansion" perform onstage during the 41st Annual Comic-Con Masquerade costume competition on Saturday, July 11, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — For now, it may be just a hobby, but for the costumed fans at the Comic-Con pop culture expo this past weekend, dressing up can be a first step toward an entertainment career.

Costume play — or cosplay — has become a huge component of Comic-Con. Thousands of fans, and some celebrities, too, elaborately disguise themselves as their favorite characters from comic books, movies, TV, video games and anime. Taking photos of the coolest cosplayers is part of the convention experience.

Chris Pizzello
Contestant Jose Davalos performs as "Hades from Hercules" during the 41st Annual Comic-Con Masquerade costume competition on Saturday, July 11, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Celebrities can enjoy the festival in anonymity by wearing a mask like so many other fans — just like Daniel Radcliffe did when he secretly dressed as Spider-Man last year. Jessica Chastain considered a mask as a means to invisibly attend Comic-Con's finale event — Saturday night's Masquerade Ball.

Chris Pizzello
Dorothy Thicket, performing as "Victorian Leafeon," poses for the audience during the 41st Annual Comic-Con Masquerade costume competition on Saturday, July 11, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Part costume contest, part stage show, contestants embody their characters for up to 2½ minutes in front of an audience of more than 4,000. The judges are Hollywood and Broadway professionals, and many entrants are entertainment hopefuls.

"I would love to make a career out of this," said self-taught artist Jose Davalos, 20, who traveled from Jalisco, Mexico, to show off his "Hades from Disney's 'Hercules'" costume, which featured a screen-worthy, hand-sculpted silicone mask.

Chris Pizzello
Contestants "The Ghostbusterettes" perform during the 41st Annual Comic-Con Masquerade costume competition on Saturday, July 11, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

"My main goal is to be able to be on a movie or maybe work for Disney making things," said Davalos, who won a craftsmanship award for his work.

Costume designer Joe Kucharski, who moderated a Costume Designers Guild panel and served as a judge of the Masquerade Ball, said the event is a realistic showcase for emerging artists.

"I would hire somebody based on their work (here)," he said.

Costume design pros say the skills cosplayers need to create their characters are often the same ones professionals use to help make TV and film characters come to life.

"A lot of things that people are doing at Comic-Con are actually what's being done professionally," said Jared Marantz, who helped create the superhero suits for "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." ''People here are making fake armor out of foam. Well, professionals do that all the time."

Scooti Harper, who hand-stitched every stripe on her Victorian corset-and-bustle gown, said she hopes to become "a seamstress in the costume industry."

"That's the ultimate goal for me," said the 26-year-old, who belonged to the "Women of the Haunted Mansion" ensemble that won best in show at the ball.

The Masquerade is also a place for aspiring directors: Katie Forman, 29, who conceived of and directed the winning sketch, said she was driven by the performance aspect of the event and brought friends talented in fashion on board.

Dorothy Thicket won a prize from UCLA's Copley Center for the Study of Costume Design for her Victorian take on Pokémon's Leafeon character. The 20-year-old University of Calgary computer-science student said she came to California for a "double-con trip," showing off her outfit in contests at Comic-Con and the Anime Expo in Los Angeles earlier this month.

"I always try to enter competitions wherever I can because I love showing off my work," she said. "I love talking to the people backstage, talking to the judges and getting feedback."

Thicket studies fashion design online and dreams of a future in costuming.

"I'm hoping that eventually I can turn this into a career, but I always do want something to fall back on which, is why I still want to try to continue with my computer science (degree)," she said.

Comic-Con helped make Oksana Nedavniaya's Hollywood dreams come true. Fresh out of college, the aspiring concept artist met "Chronicles of Narnia" costume designer Isis Mussenden, a guest at a Costume Designers Guild panel. The recent graduate approached Mussenden and offered her portfolio, then went off to enjoy the convention.

Chris Pizzello
Contestant Anthony Bustillo performs as "Herobrine from Minecraft" during the 41st Annual Comic-Con Masquerade costume competition on Saturday, July 11, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

"She contacted me three days later and said, 'Do you remember me?'" Nedavniaya recalled. "They were about to start pre-production on 'Prince Caspian' ... and she asked me if I wanted to illustrate for her. That was my big break."

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The box office Baahubali: India's biggest opener collects a shattering Rs 70 cr on day one

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 06:43:00 +0000

Chennai: Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli's latest magnum opus "Baahubali: The Beginning", which has turned out to be India's biggest opener, has taken the box office by storm by crushing many existing records.

Said to have been made on a budget of Rs.250 crore, including the upcoming second part in the franchise, the film collected between Rs 60 crore to Rs 70 crore on the first day worldwide.

Baahubali: The Beginning

"The actual box office gross collection on release day worldwide could be between Rs 60 crore and Rs 70 crore. This is the biggest ever opening for an Indian film, surpassing even Bollywood blockbusters like 'Happy New Year' and 'Dhoom: 3'," trade analyst Trinath told IANS.

"Going by the early estimated figures for the second day, the film could have already entered the Rs.100 crore club worldwide," he said.

On the first day, the film collected Rs.50 crore in India, with an additional Rs.16 crore coming from overseas.

With the distributor nett share of Rs.42.3 crore on the first day in the country, "Baahubali" has surpassed "Happy New Year" (Rs.42 crore), "Dhoom: 3" (Rs.32 crore), "Singam Returns" (Rs.31.8 crore), "Chennai Express" (Rs.31 crore), "Ek Tha Tiger" (Rs.30.3 crore), "Bang Bang" (Rs.28 crore), "Kick" (Rs.26 crore), "PK" (Rs.25 crore) and "Agneepath" (Rs.22 crore).

Released in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi parallelly, "Baahubali" has surprisingly performed extremely well in all the languages.

In its Hindi version, it netted Rs.5.15 crore on the first day, making it the highest opening for a dubbed film.

"The record was previously held by Rajinikanth-starrer 'Robot' with Rs.2.2 crore and Kamal Haasan's 'Vishwaroop' with Rs.1.9 crore. Going at this rate, the Hindi version of 'Baahubali' is looking at Rs.15 crore nett in its opening weekend," Trinath said.

"Baahubali" is also the biggest earning south Indian film on the opening day.

The previous best opening was held by Rajinikanth-starrer "Lingaa", with Rs.22 crore and followed by Shankar-directed "I" with Rs.20 crore.

It's not only in India where the film has raked in the moolah. In US, it has set the cash registers on fire.

"'Baahubali' Telugu version collected a whopping Rs.14.96 crore from Thursday premieres and Friday," according to trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

In its opening weekend in the US, the film is expected to touch $5 million.

"Aamir Khan's 'PK' had collected $3.1 million in its first weekend in US. 'Baahubali' has already crossed $2 million from Thursday and Friday," Trinath added.

Producer Dil Raju, who distributed the film in Nizam area, is extremely happy with the numbers.

"The film has showcased the true potential of Telugu cinema. It has shown the world we can produce films that are content driven and still commercially successful. The film is doing extremely well and is on its way to become the biggest blockbuster in Indian cinema," Raju told IANS.

"Baahubali" released on as many as 4,000 screens across the globe.

"The wide release worked in the film's favour. And since it released in multiple languages, it could cater to large number of audiences. Had the film only released in Telugu, it would've been impossible to recover the high cost," Trinath said.

The film, which stars Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Tamannah Bhatia and Anushka Shetty in the lead roles, is about two brothers fighting over an ancient kingdom.

It has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.

Heaping praise on Rajamouli, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur said other filmmakers should be as courageous as him.

"Filmmakers from South India are showing far more courage than the North. Where are the courageous filmmakers like @ssrajamouli in Mumbai? (sic)," Kapur wrote on his Twitter page.

With 9.4 IMDB rating, "Baahubali" is the highest rated Indian film on the site.

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"My father said that he hasn't seen a film like Bajrangi Bhaijaan in the last 20-25 years" - Salman Khan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 06:40:00 +0000

He is the 'man' of all seasons and all reasons. He is the 'man' whom every guy wants to be like and every girl wants to be with. He is the 'man' who not just rules, but also governs the box-office. We are talking about none other than Salman Khan, the very man who is all geared up to take the box-office by storm with his upcoming film Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

Satish Sundaresan of Bollywood Hungama met up with Salman Khan for an in depth interview. Over to the Bhaijaan himself…

Salman, to start with, is Bajrangi Bhaijaan yet another film, in which you, once again play the 'super hero'? Or does it have something different to offer as compared to your last films?
The character that I play in the film is that of a simpleton. At the same time, he is a true 'hero', in the real sense of the word. Look, there is one hero who beats up (the goons) and then becomes the hero. And then, there is a hero, who gets beaten up for someone else, despite the fact that he is aware that he can very well stand up and bash the opposite person. This person is very well aware of the fact that if he beats up the opposite person, he will only mess things up. That's why he prefers to get beaten… only for the sake of someone (close). Even though my character in Bajrangi Bhaijaan is that of a simpleton, the backdrop in which the story of the film has been set is so large that gradually my character in the film becomes as large as the film's backdrop. Bajrangi Bhaijaan is basically my character's journey towards becoming a better person and in a very positive manner.

What is that one thing that will always be etched in your mind from the movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan?
Whichever movies that I am doing now, if my character is a noble one, I ensure that I try to retain as much as 70-80 percent of (my character) in my real life personality. The characters that I do are always larger than life... larger than my life I mean! The films that I am doing right now have definitely helped me and others to be a better person in life. Having said that let me also add that, amidst all this, the naughtiness of my characters and the entertainment factor just won't go away! (smiles).

Has your father seen Bajrangi Bhaijaan? If yes, what has been his reaction?
Yes, my father has seen the film and he absolutely loved it. His reaction was 'I haven't seen a film like Bajrangi Bhaijaan in the last 20-25 years.'

This is the first time when you have shot your film in Kashmir. How was the 'Valley experience'?
Yes, this is the first time when I shot a film in Kashmir. The last time I had been there was during the Kargil war. It's rightly said that 'Kashmir is definitely heaven on earth'. I just hope that life opens up for the people staying there. The Kashmiris are absolutely lovely people, who deserve a real lovely life. One just cannot live in heaven and experience hell. The people out there are very simple and are extremely down to earth. One could simply look at their faces and their expressions to distinguish between a Kashmiri person and a non-Kashmiri. People say that 'one should go to Kashmir before you die.' But, I would say that one should go at least 10-15 times to Kashmir.

Will you shoot your future films in Kashmir as well?
Yes, very much.

Is it true that Kashmir doesn't have theatres?
Yes, it is true that Kashmir doesn't have any theatres! That is the first thing that I asked them at the press conference which was held there. I was shocked to know that while the full family likes to watch movies together, still, they don't have theatres. I feel that with the advent of theatres, Kashmir will surely and definitely progress. They will start getting entertainment tax and there will be growth.

Please tell us as to how the cute and adorable little girl Harshaali came on board for the film?
She is a lovely girl. Back then, we always knew that if we did not get the girl of our choice, we can always fall back to Kabir Khan's daughter Sairu. Speaking about Harshaali, she came to me without any inhibitions and said that, 'Please make me a superstar like you'. I said, 'Beta, let me become a superstar first!' (smiles). After the selection, the film's makers did some classes and workshops with her. She used to freak out only when she used to see action and aggression.

Unlike your usual regulars, Bajrangi Bhaijaan has music composed by Pritam. Any specific reason for this?
Kabir Khan had promised to work with Pritam in his next film. That's why. As far as he gives us good music, it is ok. At the end of the day, it is all about the music.

You are working with Nawazuddin Siddiqui for the second time. How was it?
Nawazuddin Siddiqui and I used to work out together and spend time if we weren't shooting. We had a nice time working with each other.

Recently, Kareena said that 'Salman doesn't know how big of a superstar he is'. Don't you consider yourself as a superstar?
No, I don't consider myself as a superstar at all! I am only doing my job and the director's only enhancing your performance and the DoP's enhancing you and your look 10 times more, and the efforts and the hard work of the technicians. Since I am in reality check with all these factors, I don't consider myself as a superstar at all.

How true are the rumors about Sajid Nadiadwala getting all you three Khans in a film?
No (smiles).

Do you think that such a film is possible anytime?
Economically, it won't be possible, unless he (Sajid Nadiadwala) plans to have one or two shots of all three of us (the Khans) in the film!

Speaking about economics, can't you all come down on the remuneration for such a film?
It has taken us a whole 27 years to reach where we are today!

You are someone who effortlessly excels in portraying the strong characters with as much ease as the simple ones. Do these 'personalities' come naturally to you?
In my own space, yes, they do come naturally to me. I am pretty capable of taking stands and no matter what; I will take a stand of the things that I firmly believe in. My characters are basically all of these things put together.

What's your take on Raees and Sultan coming together? Do you think that it will affect both the films' business?
I think it is affecting you guys (the media) more than me! (smiles).

Any plans to sing in any film?
I have tried my best in singing and I am still trying. I enjoy a lot when I sing, but people around me hate it (laughs).

I had read somewhere of late that, you were ready to do an arranged marriage. Is it true?
That was then. Now, I am ready for a love marriage (smiles). It is going to be like this. I am a very fickle minded person as far as these things are concerned.

Will Sonakshi Sinha be doing Dabanng 3?
If Dabanng 3 happens, which we are in the process of writing now, then, yes…

What's happening on the No Entry's sequel front?
I have said yes to the film. Anees Bazmee is working on the script right now. Let's see how it goes.

Can you please confirm if Kick 2 is happening or not?
I am doing another film with Sajid Nadiadwala. I am not sure which film.

Lastly, what's the status on Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo?
The film is almost complete, with just a bit of climax and a song to be shot. It is being readied for a Diwali release. I wish I had a release for Christmas as well, but… (Laughs).
Source.

Bollywood actors who went bald for film roles!

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 10:03:00 +0000

Pic Courtesy: Movie Stills

We love our 'desi' actors and all things they do. One of the most important feature that strikes us when we look at them is how beautifully managed their mane is. On most occasions, the actors can be seen sporting different styles for a film but they think twice before changing their hairstyle that often. The obsession to look perfect on-screen has a lot to do with how well your hairstyle is. But, there are actors who break the mould and take a big leap in shaving their heads off for a particular look. Our Bollywood stars have been there and done that too. We list out top five B-Town actors, who went bald for their film roles on reel. Take a look:

Salman Khan

Yes, he did it once! One of the most eligible bachelors in the country, sported a bald look in intense romantic drama 'Tere Naam'. The film which released in 2003 saw Sallu bhai in a never-seen-before avatar. His lover boy role in the film struck the right kind of note with the audiences who cried when he shed tears on-screen. His 'Tere Naam' look was sported by almost all the guys so could spot on road. Salman's look was in style for the longest one could remember. The music of 'Tere Naam' got great response too and Himesh Reshammiya gained ground in the Hindi film industry with it.

Aamir Khan

'Ghajini' was the film which gave us a new Aamir Khan altogether. This 2008 psychological thriller was a remake of 2005 Tamil film by by the same name. Both the films were helmed by A. R. Murugadoss. This movie presented Aamir as someone suffering from anterograde amnesia. Mr Perfectionist Khan sported a bald look in this movie but with a style. In fact. His 'Ghajini' style became so popular that many youngsters started shaving their heads off in a similar way.

Sanjay Dutt
Sanju Baba too sported a bald look for 2012 remake 'Agneepath'. The film presented him in a villainous role, and his shaven head gave that much-needed edge to his on-screen portrayal of Kancha Cheena. Sanjay Dutt's look was appreciated by all and this one has surely gone down in the history of negative characters ever presented on-screen. His tough looks did scare the viewers!

Shahid Kapoor

This recently married chocolate boy-turned-macho actor stunned all with his impeccable acting prowess and bald look in 'Haider' (2014). Sasha's ever flowing mane on his forehead was loved by his female fan following, and it must have been a difficult one for him to part with it. But, all his hard work did pay off, as Shahid got all that he deserved with the success of this Vishal Bhardwaj film 'Haider'.

Arjun Rampal

This drop dead gorgeous-looking man had women going berserk, quite literally when he turned bald for 'Ra.One'. The man shaved his head as he was playing a grey character on-screen. Like Sanjay Dutt, he too decided to sport the bald look as it adds to the villainous look. His part was loved by the fans and he surely rocked as the baldy as well as the baddie!

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Comic-Con: Marvel's Agent Carter Is Going to Hollywood, Lash Will Join Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 09:52:00 +0000

Hayley Atwell

One of the most anticipated panels at Comic-Con is Marvel's television showcase. This year, head of Marvel television Jeph Loeb announced what was coming up in the next seasons of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter.

The Marvel TV panel was split into two parts.

Marvel's Agent Carter

In the finale, Peggy (Hayley Atwell) was kicking Dottie Underwood out of an airplane, begging Howard Stark to move beyond Captain America's disappearance (and presumed death), and pouring a pilfered vial of Cap's blood over the edge of the Brooklyn Bridge.

All the latest news from Comic-Con 2015

Atwell and her sidekick Jarvis (James D'Arcy) were on the panel, along with executive producers Tara Butters, Chris Dingess, and Michele Fazekas.

After a highlight reel of Season 1, we got some fun news about Season 2. First of all, we get 10 whole episodes this time, instead of only eight. Second, as Marvel announced when they saidAgent Carter had been renewed, Peggy has been reassigned to the West Coast. Season 2 will start six months after the end of Season 1.

"Things are different," Butters said. "We'll see people are in different positions and not everyone is in New York any more. Some people aren't talking to each other any more."

But Los Angeles won't be all unfamiliar faces. Jarvis will be there with Howard Stark, working on his Beverly Hills estate (and his new movie studio).

Butters said part of the appeal of moving the show was the glamour of Old Hollywood. The show will take place in 1947, which was the year of the Black Dahlia murder. "We wanted the glamour of Old Hollywood and the noir grit and crime of Los Angeles," Butters explained. "Changing the location generates such great stories and interactions between the characters."

Particularly for Peggy: She will have "a couple of new opportunities" in the romance department, according to Fazekas.

During the audience Q&A, D'Arcy asked a question of his own: Will he ever meet his wife? "He might get to," Loeb joked. "You guys might not get to."

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

The two-hour finale of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was big: The agents and the Inhumans were at war, and Skye/Daisy Johnson (Chloe Bennet) was caught between her real and adopted families. Her mother, Jiaying (Dichen Lachman), convinces her that the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are the bad guys, while her dad, Cal (Kyle MacLachlan), gets an injection from Simmons that turns him into Calvin Zabo. He's forced to kill Jiaying, Coulson loses a hand, and Simmons gets swallowed up by the Kree rock.

The panel featured the entire cast: Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Elizabeth Henstridge,Iain De Caestecker, Nick Blood, Luke Mitchell, Adrianne Palicki, and Henry Simmons. Loeb said the rest of the producers and showrunners were busy working on Season 3.

After a highlight reel, Loeb introduced top-secret GoPro video footage from inside the S.H.I.E.L.D.writers' room, which showed a guy tossing darts and a blank whiteboard labeled "Season 3 Ideas." Still, they dropped the following teases, albeit in a very purposefully vague fashion:
Skye/Daisy's new call name might be "Quake"
The ship might be called the Zephyr 1
Coulson and Skye's new team might be called "Secret Warriors"

We also saw another whiteboard labeled "Who should we kill this season?" with "Already Very Dead" written next to "Simmons."

After the video ended, Loeb said the character Lash would also be joining the show, then said they were out of time. (According the Marvel wiki, Lash is another Inhuman. His power is energy manipulation.)

"Um, I have a question," Henstridge interjected. "On that board, in the video, next to my character's name, there was some writing?" "Anyways, that's it! Let's get the cast of Agent Carterback out for a photo op!" Loeb said.

Sadly, there was no news about Daredevil or any other Netflix property, nor any news about the upcoming ABC/Marvel project with John Ridley.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns to ABC September 29 at 9/8c. Agent Carter is expected to return in the midseason when S.H.I.E.L.D. goes on hiatus in January.

TODAY'S VIDEO: Agent Carter's Hayley Atwell and more show us their hidden talents
http://www.tvguide.com/news/marvel-television-comic-con/#ooid=BoaHg4czq6dfeeghm04DwnJmdKjixagj
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Minions Review Roundup: Undeniably Cute, but Does It Have Substance?

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 05:10:00 +0000

The lovable sidekicks from the Despicable Me movies are back, this time with a movie of their own: Minions.

The Minions quest for the most despicable leader to follow seems hopeless as they span through millennia never able to attach to an evil overlord for more than a quick second. All of the little guys' prayers seem to be answered when representatives Bob, Stuart and Kevin travel to Orlando to meet up with supervillainess Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock). Things go awry and the Minions must battle for their lives.

The prequel to the two Despicable Me movies, directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, comes out tomorrow, July 10.

The movie is fun, zany and kids are sure to love it, but is that enough to fill an hour and 44 minutes? Here's what the critics are saying.

PHOTO: Fashion police: Minions addition

Universal

• Boyd van Hoeij of The Hollywood Reporter writes," After switching 'round the formula used in the previous films, in which the Steve Carell-voiced villain was cast as the improbable lead, this Swinging London-set prequel goes back to a more classically structured setup, in which the bad guy — or rather, bad girl, voiced by a workmanlike Sandra Bullock — is the antagonist, while the mostly mumbling heroes take center stage. Unfortunately, this robs the film of much of what made its predecessors stand out, with the story lacking a clear narrative and emotional throughline to connect all of the film's set pieces.That said, the film's slapsticky gags are often amusing, and this franchise, which has turned out quality animated films on relatively small budgets (the first two were produced for under $78 million each), has built up a lot of audience goodwill, with Despicable Me 2 making $970 million worldwide. This at least bodes well for this film's opening weekend, though longer-term prospects seem more uncertain."

PHOTO: Celebrities dressing like minions
YouTube

• Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal writes,"Finally the Minions get to star in their own movie, and it turns out to be like one of those emails that's flagged with the phrase, 'This message has no content' after failing to load properly. WhatMinions does have is abundant if relentless cuteness, which audiences are sure to accept in lieu of content; people love these little guys. But the begoggled, capsule-shaped, banana-colored scamps who stole the show in two installments of the popular Despicable Me franchise deserved something better than this indifferently animated, catch-as-catch-can venture in comedic chaos...Everything that makes them appealing, though, makes them challenging candidates for stardom. How do you write a whole movie around a bunch of professional second bananas when they're asexual, although outwardly male; motivationally monotonous and intellectually translucent, if not opaque? The answer: by making it an origin story that tracks Minions through history in a long, amusing preface narrated byGeoffrey Rush, and one that concentrates on the only goal the Minions are known to have—serving the most despicable master they can find...Aside from the Sixties soundtrack, the best part of the production, Minions is frantically associative, a throwback to Saturday morning cartoons that leaps from one nitwit notion to the next."

NEWS: Take a vacation with the minions

Universal

• Jesse Hassenger of A.V. Club writes,"This makes less sense than their implied origin in Despicable Me as creations of aspiring supervillain Gru, but showing the Minions crawling out of the ocean more or less fully formed (minus their trademark blue overalls, acquired in the 20th century) does lead to some funny sequences of the little yellow folks bumbling their way through prehistory, the dawn of man, and into recorded history, forever in search of the strongest supervillain to serve. Or, more accurately, this would lead to some funny sequences if Minions trusted its audience to understand the medium of animation. The Minions come from a long line of cartoon characters unencumbered by the English language and perfectly expressive without it. Yet their movie opens with plummy storybook narration explaining who the Minions are, what they want, and on and on, suffocating what should be a fun gag reel. (With prolonged exposure, the movie also loosens up their gibberish style of speaking—voiced, per gibberish-talking sidekick tradition, by director Pierre Coffin—slipping in plenty of English words among French and Spanish phrases.) Half the fun of this character style is the way animators can communicate so much through facial movements or expressive slapstick, but Minions is too busy translating itself to appreciate its own potential craft."

PHOTO: Celebrity minions

Universal

• Kennet Turan of the L.A. Times writes,"Who doesn't love the minions? Nominally devoted to evil but also, to borrow a phrase from Raymond Chandler, cute as lace pants, these capsule-shaped and coverall-wearing creatures are so appealing that even those not wild about Despicable Me found them difficult to resist...But could these wacky wayfarers carry an entire movie on their own, or would they be doomed to eternal second-bananahood, relegated to supporting tacky villains who lacked their ineffable effervescence? Now Minions the movie is here, and the news is good...Even better for the film's energy level, many of its sequences are set to an exceptional collection of '60s rock classics like the Kinks' 'You Really Got Me,' the Who's 'My Generation,' the Doors' 'Break on Through (To the Other Side),' the Box Tops' 'The Letter,' the Rolling Stones' '19th Nervous Breakdown,' the Spencer Davis Group's 'I'm a Man.' And more... As noted, the plotting in Minions does go a bit wonky (would you believe Bob as the king of England?), but it matters not.Minions provide endless amusement just by being themselves, and how many of today's movie characters can you say that about?"

NEWS:Top ten minion moments of all time

Universal

• Peter Suderman of The Washington Times writes,"The title of Minions refers to its main characters, a troop of bright-yellow, pill-shaped creatures who served as comic relief henchmen in the first two Despicable Me films. But it might as well refer to its intended audience, the very young children who are most likely to be amused by this silly, superficial, commercial trifle...Your own little minions might love it, but if you're old enough to be their villainous overlord, or even just the kindly adult who accompanies them to the movies, you'll probably be less enthralled...But while the Minions made great comic punctuation, they're far less effective as leading creatures. These babbling bad guy buddies were so hilarious in the earlier films in part because they were so random. You didn't know where they came from or what they would do next. They existed outside the demands of narrative conventions, in a state of hilarious absurdist imbalance. They were funny in part because there was no attempt to explain them."

NEWS: Check out David Beckham's minion tattoo

Universal Studios

• Mike Scott of the The Times-Picayune writes,"But these Minions, they work in mysterious ways. As a result, the uneven but entirely genial Minions does, too...What we're left with is a loosely connected string of pratfalls, fart sounds and the repeated flashing of little yellow tushies, all set to a classic rock beat. (That last bit, at least, clears the way for one of the best kiddie-movie soundtracks in some time...This movie really, really should be irredeemably annoying after 20 minutes or so. Truth be told, it comes dangerously close to becoming just that on more than one occasion...And therein lies the real genius of Minions. Whether by design or by accident, it's next to impossible to see these mischief-prone merrymakers as anything but on-screen versions of the children in our lives. They are tickled by at the same things that tickle our children. They are confused by the same things that confuse our children. And they are saddened by the same things that sadden our children...But then the Minions do something Minion-y, and we're right back there with them, chuckling along."

(E! and Universal Pictures are part of the NBCUniversal family.)
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India’s biggest motion picture Baahubali: The Beginning releases tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 18:01:00 +0000

Coming from the vision of SS Rajamouli, there is tremendous buzz around the film with tickets completely sold out till Sunday

All movie industry eyes in India this weekend will be turned not to Bollywood, but to Hyderabad and the release of Telugu-language epic action “Baahubali.” The film sets out on some 3,500 screens on Friday (July 10).

The picture is not only the biggest budget Indian film of all time, weighing in at some $40 million for two parts, it is also shaping up to be one of the biggest movie events the country has seen in years.

That’s because the Tollywood (Telugu-language) and Kollywood (Tamil-language) movie industries, though generally less well-known than Mumbai-based Bollywood (Hindi-language), lack nothing in showmanship or entrepreneurialism. They have their own star systems, distribution circuits, and often inspire Bollywood (Hindi-language) creations or remakes.

Produced by Shobu Yarlagadda of Hyderabad-based Arka Mediaworks, “Baahubali,” however, has been engineered to be a nationwide sensation on its own terms – without need for a Bollywood retread.

Each corralling massive social media followings, Prabhas (Varma) is the film’s lead star, while SS Rajamouli is its director. Other top cast include Rana Daggubati and Anushka Shetty.

Arka has carefully managed numerous build-up events from the unveiling of the soundtrack to the trailer launch on June 1, which took place in a sports stadium. In February, Twitter India was keen to make it known that Rajamouli announced the film’s release date on its platform first.

Rajamouli says the film’s story is a simple one — “a father who has been back-stabbed, a mother who has been enchained for no wrong of hers and the story of a son who takes revenge” – set in a fictional era, with the two parts spanning two generations.

While the weaponry and folklore are distinctly Indian, the presentation is high tech and modelled on the stylized look of “300.” International VFX firms including John Hughes’ Tau Films and South Korea’s Macrograph providing effects sequences.

Production itself took 450 days, with some location work in Bulgaria, but the majority taking place in Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City, a vast 2,000 acre studios and services complex that is one of the two largest film production platforms in the world and has dozens of different sets and backlots. One battle scene took 40 days to lens.

Arka is overseeing the release in South India and has widely pre-sold the film in other regions of India, giving it a rare all-India wide release. The film scored another coup as Bollywood icon and TV presenter Karan Johar is handling the Hindi release through his Dharma Productions in partnership with Anil Thadani.

“Baahubali – The Beginning” releases this week, with the second part targeting an early 2016 outing. International territories where Indian films don’t normally play will receive a shortened, single version, rather than the combined 290 minutes running time of the Indian two-parter.

The ancillary strategy includes a spinoff TV series, graphic novels and a clothing line. Arka is also in discussions with tech giant AMD to create a “Baahubali”-themed Oculus Rift experience.

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If not Priyanka Chopra, who is trying to resurrect Parineeti Chopra’s Bollywood career?

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 18:24:00 +0000

It seems like the Ishaqzaade actress has found a new mentor in Bollywood. No, it’s not her superstar sister….

For long now there was buzz that Priyanka Chopra has a script in place to relaunch her sister Parineeti Chopra’s career. But then all these rumours was quashed. With Parineeti stepping out atIIFA 2015 in her sexy new avatar everybody took notice of her. The bubbly actress impressed the audience in Malaysia with her stint as host, however as far as films are concerned it looks like a lull period for the young Chopra gal. In fact, Yash Raj Films protege Parineeti we hear has now found a new mentor and it is none other than Karan Johar. If you’re wondering how the Dharma honcho is helping the actress then read on to find out…

Parineeti has been busy shifting into her new home off late. But it seems that the actress was in Dubai recently and so was Karan. The duo according to a film magazine portal caught up for lunch, where the Student Of The Year director apparently doled out advice on her career. The filmmaker-turned director apparently gave her tips of the kind of movies she should now be working on. He also asked her to ‘re-strategise’ her moves in Bollywood. Does this mean that Karan will soon be roping in Parineeti for one of his upcoming films?

Well, the talented actress definitely deserves a second chance, so what of her last few movies didn’t perform at the box office. Right BollywoodLifers?

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Top 10 celebrity weddings which missed the limelight

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 14:53:00 +0000

Top 10 celebrity weddings that went low-key and did not fall under the limelight.

This year, we saw a lot of celebrities tying the knot. Be it from films, television, fashion, business or politics, there is a long list of celebrities who have taken the wedding vows with their sweethearts. But not many of them attracted media attention. Here are the celebrity weddings that went low-key.

Tulsi Kumar and Hitesh Ralhan (Twitter)

The beautiful voice behind the latest Bollywood number Tu Hai Ki Nahi, Tulsi Kumar, married Hitesh Ralhan, a Jaipur-based businessman on February 22.

Harshdeep Kaur and Mankeet Singh (Twitter)

Harshdeep Kaur, the soulful voice who gave us blissful Bollywood songs like Heer, Kabira and a lot more, married her best friend Mankeet Singh on March 21.

Shawar Ali and Marsela Ayesha (Twitter)

Shawar Ali, model-turned-actor, married Marsela Ayesha on March 29. Their nikah was low-key and included only their family members and close friends.

Tillotama Shome and Kunal Ross (Twitter)

The bold and beautiful Tillotama Shome, known for her performances in movies like Monsoon Wedding, Children of War and Qissa, married businessman Kunal Ross, Jaya Bachchan's nephew, in April. They had a destination wedding in Goa, which the entire Bachchan family attended.

Abhishek Kapoor and Pragya Yadav (Twitter)

Director Abhishek Kapoor, tied the knot with Pragya Yadav, a Sweden-based Bollywood actress, on May 4, at the ISKCON temple, Mumbai. After the temple-wedding, the couple had a star-studded reception party as well.

Narendra Jha and Pankaja Thakur (Twitter)

Narendra Jha, known for playing Shahid Kapoor's on-screen dad in Vishal Bhardwaj's Haider, married former Central Board of Film Certification CEO, Pankaja Thakur on May 11. The duo had a private ceremony near Nashik.

Kunal Kapoor and Naina Bachchan (Twitter)

Kunal Kapoor, the Rang De Basanti actor, tied the knot with Amitabh Bachchan's niece Naina Bachchan, on February 9, in an intimate ceremony in Seychelles. After the wedding, Kunal tweeted his picture with Naina and thanked his fans.

Minissha Lamba and Ryan Tham (Twitter)

Actress Minissha Lamba has finally tied the knot with her longtime boyfriend Ryan Tham on July 6. The duo had kept their relationship as well as their wedding very closely guarded.

Shreya Ghoshal and Shiladitya Mukhopadhyaya (Twitter)

Shreya Ghoshal, the melody queen of Bollywood, married her long-time beau, Shiladitya Mukhopadhyaya, on February 5, in a private ceremony. After the wedding, Shreya used Facebook to announce the happy news to the world.

Kunal Khemu and Soha Ali Khan (Twitter)

This long-awaited wedding of Bollywood the beautiful nawabi princess, Soha Ali Khan with her beau, Kunal Khemu was solemnised on January 25. The duo had a simple registered marriage at their residence and a small get-together with their families.

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Shahid Kapoor posts first selfie with wife Mira Rajput

noreply@blogger.com (Raju) — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 14:25:00 +0000

Shahid Kapoor posts selfie with his wife Mira Rajput on Instagram and captioned it, "#hitched"

Shahid is a regular on Twitter and Instagram and shares a lot with his fans and followers on these platforms.
Written by Sonal Gera | New Delhi | Updated: July 7, 2015 7:42 pm

Shahid Kapoor had been able to keep the details of his marriage under wraps for long. It was until today, the day of his marriage, that the shutterbugs were finally able to catch a glimpse of his beautiful bride Mira Rajput.

Also read – Presenting for the first time: Shahid Kapoor with wife Mira Rajput

Shahid Kapoor, who is a regular on Twitter and Instagram, shared the good news with his fans.

The Haider actor took to Instagram to share a selfie with his wife Mira Rajput. He captioned it, “#hitched”

Shahid and Mira indeed look beautiful. They are beaming with smiles, and the joy of finding love in each other is evident on their glowing faces.

Earlier, the newlyweds walked out hand in hand as the media men waited for a glimpse of Shahid and Mira.

Shahid Kapoor with his wife Mira Rajput. (Source: Varinder Chawla)

IN PICS – Meet Mr. and Mrs. Shahid Kapoor, first pics of the bridal couple

The couple posed together outside the reception venue – The Oberoi, Gurgaon. A reception party for the family members and close friends will be held here in a while.

Shahid and Mira got married in a low-key ceremony at a Chattarpur farm house in New Delhi. It was a simple gurudwara wedding and was attended by only 30-40 people.

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