Category: Entertainment

Dubai Diaries- Its All Happening Here…!!

Dubai Diaries- Its All Happening Here…!!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra
NDTV Good Times, India’s youngest lifestyle channel is taking you to the most luxurious city in the world-Dubai with the launch of its new series Dubai Diaries. A TV series that brings to life all that Dubai has to offer to the Indian traveller; from food and fashion, shopping and entertainment, hotels and beaches to couple getaways and family reunions.
The most unique offering of the five episode series remains that a different anchor will host each episode. The thematic distribution of each episode covers an ocean of variety that Dubai has to offer. Irrespective of whether you are couple, family, foodie, shopaholic, business traveller, Dubai Dairies will manage to gratify all your senses.
To announce the show, and to get a glimpse of the content, NDTV Good Times hosted Delhi Bloggers to an evening of interaction with 3 of the hosts from the show Ambika Anand, Freishia and Neha Dixit, at the Hauz Khas Social.



The ambience was created to give a look and feel of Dubai, with matteresses and bolsters for seating, and some unique cocktails created by an expert bar tender at Social along with some lip smacking snacks.


Ambika, Freishia and Neha, each shared their experiences from the travel and the aspects that they respectively covered. Ambika would be covering Dubai from a shopper’s perspective with a special focus on Wedding Shopping, while Neha Dixit will explore the adventure activities that Dubai has to offer and Freishia will uncover Dubai from a completely new angle, Dubai as a romantic getaway, which mostly we don’t associate Dubai with.



The series will open with Actress Sumona Chakravarty visiting the most talked about places in Dubai.
There would also be an episode with Chef Kunal Kapoor discovering and unfolding the culinary experiences Dubai has to offer.
Announcing the launch, Arati Singh, Channel Head, NDTV Good Times said, “While Dubai is a familiar destination for most travellers, we intend to bring out a new side of Dubai with this show. We are hopeful our viewers will live the Dubai experience through memorable anchor stories and through the visual aesthetics of the city itself.”
At the event, I also indulged in a candid chat with Mandakini , who is the director of the show and Damini, who has produced the series. They went on to share how different it was visiting Dubai this time from a new angle and how they completed 10 episodes in 34 days of shoot. The next five episodes will be aired around October, the other season of holidays.
We all had a lot of fun clicking selfies and indulging in chit chat with the anchors.


As of now, catch these 5 episodes, every Thursday at 8PM only on NDTV Good Times, and repeats through the week.
Washing Dirty Linen In Public or A Publicity Stint…!! Hrithik- Kangna Squabble Gets Meaner…!!

Washing Dirty Linen In Public or A Publicity Stint…!! Hrithik- Kangna Squabble Gets Meaner…!!

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Its been over a month that stories of Hrithik-Kangana’s alleged affair and break up stories are doing rounds..the social media is too full of them..in fact they themselves are using social media actively to make their point and now gone to the extent of releasing legal statements against each other.. But my question is.. Is this really required.. are the fans interested in knowing so much about the personal lives of our film stars or are the stars themselves making a mockery out of their life situations.



Do they own a justification.. aren’t they normal humans too, can’t they settle their own issues amicably without making a hue and cry about it or is the media itself that makes the mountain out of a molehill. I guess these questions will always remain unanswered…!!
“Hrithik Breaks His Silence and Releases a Statement”- when was he quiet at the first place, innumerable tweets have already given enough dope to media and public. And now following the tit for tat policy, Kangana too releases a legal statement, meanwhile media and public enjoy the overhyped squabble and gain some dope for masala posts for their social and other media.
For those who have missed it.. here it is.. excerpts from both statements
In his official statement sent through his publicist, Hrithik Roshan has spoken about the fake email id through which he alleges someone was impersonating him.
“Anything private that becomes public gives rise to speculation and unnecessary controversies simply because the general public are not privy to the whole truth.Out of respect for everyone involved, I followed the legal path to resolve the matter in question so as to keep it private. It was a breach of ethics to reveal the contents of a private legal notice. Dignified silence is dignified up to a point, but there comes a time when the silence needs to be broken to protect one’s name, family and image.The crux of the matter is that the mail id [email protected] does NOT belong to me. I had filed a complaint in this regard with Mumbai Cyber Crime cell on 12 December, 2014 when I learnt of this impersonator communicating with said person. I have absolutely NO CONNECTION with this ID. The entire issue stems from a case of identity theft which has carried over to me. My complaint was reactivated on March 5, 2016 and the crime unit has made headway in tracking this person down. Once that is done, the matter can be laid to rest.And finally, I believe that mental health is a grave and crucial issue which merits serious discussion. I would never address it flippantly nor use it as a personal attack. Any allegation to the contrary is a misrepresentation of facts. I was requested to keep silent and I did so for 2 years.”
Meanwhile, here’s Kangana’s entire statement.
Mr. Hrithik’s statements made to the media are nothing but efforts to gain public sympathy. He cannot wash his hands off the matter now after having criminally threatened my client and having intimidated her, without any provocation. He also cannot deny the fact that my client never named him anywhere and it was he himself who claimed to be “Silly Ex” in his notice. Besides his own acts of stating in the media that he would rather ‘date a Pope’ gave enough fodder to the media to start speculating. How can he blame my client for all his own acts of commissions and omissions.
Further, he should have refrained from making absolutely false statements in his notice. He specifically claimed that he does not know my client socially at all. If that were the truth, then how was he attending my client’s private birthday party with his entire family and my client was attending his party besides his sister’s and his father’s birthday party as well. There is enough proof on public platform, which sufficiently proves that Mr. Hrithik Roshan’s is lying.
Pursuant to my counter-notice there are now new claims that my client was not co-operating with the police to help with investigation of Mr. Hrithik’s complaint. These claims are as false as his other claims. The fact is that my client was never dealing with any imposter and given the background of the matter, it is very lame on Mr. Hrithik’s part to even suggest that. Besides my client was never ever asked for any co-operation in the said matter by any person for obvious reasons. The fact that Mr. Hrithik waited for seven month to lodge a complaint says it all. Now pursuant to receipt of my notice the complaint is once again being looked into by Mr. Hrithik Roshan, only as a face saving strategy.
It is also worthy to note that Mr. Hrithik Roshan specifically claims to have received 50 unsolicited emails per day from my client for about 601 days (as calculated from 24th May 2014 up to 16th February 2016). Accordingly, he should have received more than 30,000 (thirty thousand) emails from my client as against his own alleged claim of receiving only 1,439 emails from my client during the said period. This shows that there is non application of mind even while making allegations. At least make efforts to do the calculations. Besides if Mr. Hrithik Roshan was really receiving unsolicited emails from my client then why did he not prudently block my client and went on receiving my client’s emails for such a long time. The answer is obvious.
His own actions speak a lot and I need not say more on behalf of my client Ms. kangana Ranaut. Most importantly I would like to point out that at least Mr. Hrithik Roshan should have bothered to ensure that he has a good reason to send a Legal Notice to my client. However as expected the notice is absolutely baseless, unsubstantiated, unwarranted and uncalled for. There is not even a case of defamation made out against my client and he is issuing a Notice for defamation without application of mind.
He needs to immediately realise that my client Ms. Kangana Ranaut does not need Mr. Hrithik Roshan’s name to garner publicity or attention, as she is a renowned public figure herself.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL PRESENTS ‘THE WHITE MUGHAL – LOVE AND BETRAYAL IN INDIA’

DISCOVERY CHANNEL PRESENTS ‘THE WHITE MUGHAL – LOVE AND BETRAYAL IN INDIA’

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra
DISCOVERY CHANNEL PRESENTS
‘THE WHITE MUGHAL – LOVE AND BETRAYAL IN INDIA’
THE ONE HOUR PROGRAMME WILL PREMIERE ON 28TH MARCH AT 9 PM
Discovery Channel presents the extraordinary story of the relations that existed between the British and some Indians in the 18th century in its new programme ‘THE WHITE MUGHAL – LOVE AND BETRAYAL IN INDIA’. The programme is an emotive description of the book ‘White Mughals’, written by renowned historian and author William Dalrymple.
Premiering on Monday, March 28 on Discovery Channel at 9 PM, ‘THE WHITE MUGHAL – LOVE AND BETRAYAL IN INDIA’ will take viewers to the Deccan Plains of India unearthing the forbidden love between British diplomat stationed in Hyderabad James Achilles Kirkpatrick who risked everything, even converting to Islam just to marry his only love, the Muslim princess of Hyderabad Khair-un-Nissa.

At the turn of the 18th century, one in three British men in India known as White Mughals lived with Indian women, married them, wore local dress and adopted Indian ways. To protect their children from growing disapproval of their mixed race, they sent them to England for education, ultimately being absorbed into the Victorian society.

Narrated by William Dalrymple, the one-hour programme will reconstruct the compelling story of the lives of the `White Mughals’ who assimilated themselves into the Indian life. The story of the Kirkpatricks and their children will be told through the art and architecture of the time: from the classic Georgian portraiture of George Chinnery and Thomas Hickey to the fantastical Deccani miniatures of Venkatchellam and Tajully Ali Shah.
Watch the remarkable story about love and betrayal of the eighteenth-century India,  THE WHITE MUGHAL – LOVE AND BETRAYAL IN INDIA on Discovery Channel, Discovery Tamil and Discovery HD World on March 28 at 9 PM.
About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel, the flagship network of Discovery Communications, is devoted to creating the highest quality pay-TV programming in the world and remains one of the most dynamic networks on television. First launched in 1985, Discovery Channel reaches 210 million subscribers in Asia Pacific. It offers viewers an engaging line-up of high-quality non-fiction entertainment from blue-chip nature, science and technology, ancient and contemporary history, adventure, cultural and topical documentaries.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. For 30 years Discovery has been dedicated to satisfying curiosity and entertaining viewers with high-quality content through its global television brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery controls Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. In Asia Pacific, 15 Discovery brands reach 677 million cumulative subscribers in 38 countries and territories with programming customised in 14 languages and dialects. For more information please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
SRK all the way..#fananthem out

SRK all the way..#fananthem out

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

The first song from the film Fan is out and it truly is a slap on faces of those who try to write Shahrukh Khan off. From the first frame itself it speaks volumes about the actor’s capabilities and even those who aren’t SRK fan would agree to it.
It restores the faith in Shahrukh Khan as an actor and tells us that he might do some movies only to make money, but the real actor in him exists and is very much back in action…
The music of the song is very peppy and lively and catches instant attention. The song is sung by playback singer Aakash Aziz and music is composed by Vishal-Shekhar. The song catches the essence of a fan truly. Onc can see Shahrukh playing his biggest fan in the film by a character named Gaurav, who is seen dancing, and jumping around happily on Delhi streets in this song.
Enjoy ..!!

The Launch of “Colours of Refuge”

The Launch of “Colours of Refuge”

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Colours of Refuge, an anthology dedicated to the cause of Refugees was launchedA on 28 January 2016 at Civil Services Officers Institute, New Delhi amidst luminaries from the field of photography, poetry and arts. The event was graced by luminaries such as Padamshree Raghu Rai, the doyen of photography as Chief guest, Mr William Tall, UNHCR Head of Mission in India and Maldives, celebrated Urdu poet and lyricist Farhat Shazad  and renown Hindi poet Dr Sita Sagar as Guests of honour.

This is the third anthology in less than a year by Poets, Artists Unplugged, a diverse and dynamic poetry group on Facebook that comprises of poets and artists from all over the globe, sharing a common penchant and vibe called ‘expression’ through poetry, prose, art and/or photography.
In synch with the mission of the group Poets, Artists Unplugged to offer the medium of poetry and arts for uplifting the human spirit against the violent world of today, displaced and homeless refugees are among the most in need of shelter. This germinated the idea of looking beyond conflict zones and the suffering to the myriad shades of refuge and the Group administrators decided that they must contribute to the cause of refuge. An open submission call was given for works that employ the aesthetics of poetry, short stories, art and photographs to attempt mitigating human hardships and offer healings to the suffering. All poems, artworks and photographs in this anthology were meticulously selected to array the colours of refuge.


Colours of Refuge was born as a bi-lingual (Hindi & English) International Anthology featuring Poems, Short Stories, Nano Fiction(55ers), Art and Photographs of budding and established poets, writers,  artists  and photographers from all over the world coming together for this noble cause of demanding refuge for all humans irrespective of regional borders, races, genders, faiths and also age. The Colours of Refuge offers a rare kaleidoscope of hope in the form of upholding, the basic human dignity of refuge. This anthology bears testimony to the fact that not only has social media opened up new vistas for both budding and seasoned poets and artists, it also offers great reassurance that even in this hectic selfish modern age high-tech living, Poets, Writers, Artists, Photographers and even the publisher can join hands for an altruist cause.
The anthology features works of some celebrated masters such as Jayanta Mahapatra, the Grandfather of Indian English Poetry and Padamshree Raghu Rai, the doyen of photography, Naseer Ahmed Nasir, Pakistan and Farhat Shazad, Pakistan-USA, both acclaimed Urdu poets. Poets, Artists Unplugged is also proud to have many seasoned poets and artists from all over the world contributing to their cause. Moreover, in line with the mission of promoting new poets and artists, Colours of Refuge also features fourteen new poets and some artists whose works had not been published in print before.
Poets, Artists Unplugged endeavours to launch not just a book but a positive response and embrace on the subject of refugees.  To this end, the administrators Sakina and Monica Oswal have already managed to collect contributions of Rs One Hundred Thousand), all of which will be donated to the UNHCR.
The Chief Editor Lt. Col. Shyam Sunder Sharma, Shaurya Chakra (Retd) wanted to focus on evoking the element of hope and development amidst its grim realities to offer reassurance and a sense of ‘home’ for those having suffered exoduses. The Editors Dr. Reena Singh (Hindi), Sheikha A. (English), Sakina Shikari (Visual Arts) along with the help of the co-editors Shivali Dhaka (Hindi) and Dr. Evelyn R. Gaikwad (English) followed through by ensuring that the primary focus reflected in the book, overall, consisting of insightful contributions by both established and emerging writers/artists from different countries, cultures, ethnicities and language backgrounds.
The warmly received event included a thought provoking art and photo exhibition and an Open Mic Poetry session on the same theme. Dr Jatinder Singh Bhogal organised the art and photo exhibition, which included masterpieces photographs of Raghu Rai. There was a wonderful blending in of other art forms with Sonali Sharma giving a scintillating performance on a poem of Farhat Shahzad recited by Dr Jatinder Singh Bhogal and Geetika and her sister treated the audience with a beautiful self composed song especially penned by the sisters on the theme. Pinakini Naik, the Group administrator in USA gave out a noteworthy presentation on the Group’s mission and the dream and journey of Colours of Refuge.                   
Parveen Sethi and Shivali Dhaka conducted the Open Mic session, which had participation from contributing poets, including some who travelled from long distances on a working day. Dr Reena Singh conducted the proceeding on the stage with remarkable finesse. Monica Oswal and Rajat conducted the felicitations and the book launch ceremony. Mr William Tall was so taken in by the aura and atmosphere at the event that he sat through the entire programme.