Don’t let EXAM RESULTS dictate your kid’s life!

India has one of the highest suicide rates among youngsters between the ages of 15 and 29. One of the top 10 reasons for youth suicides is failure in examinations. A 2014 news report states that about 2,471 students in the country took their lives in 2013 after having failed in examinations. Most of these suicides are a result of parental pressure and high expectations.

Another survey conducted by Pondicherry University in 2015, among Indian High School students tells us a startling truth. According to the survey, about two-thirds (66%) of the students reported feeling pressure from their parents for better academic performance.

Unrealistic expectations and parental pressure is the biggest stress for Indian students today - a thought that prompted Khalil Herekar and Sulakshana Herekar to do something about it. The writer-director duo makes socially relevant films under their banner Arshh Films. Along with Sundaram Books, they have released a film Aaj Result Hai, which deals with this chronic problem that is sucking the life out of students.

Says Producer-Director Khalil Herekar, “It is a pity that we ourselves are destroying the sanity of our children by putting such academic pressure on their young fragile minds. I hope this film helps both parents and students to find the right way to plan the child’s future sensibly.” Sulakshana Herekar adds, “It is unbelievable that parents want their children to be an engineer or doctor, even in this day and age. There are a thousand different career options today, which the child will really enjoy doing! But the parents must understand and encourage their child for Aaj Result Hai plays on the situation of parents and children during board results, and ends with a twist in the tale, that can totally change the mindset of parents and students, and look at careers in the right perspective.

The film rightly says... the future of your child does not depend on his result, but rather on how you (the parents) react to it. Watch Aaj Result Hain and stop unrealistic expectations from your kids..

2nd edition of ‘World Music Day’ celebration at the Hard Rock Café in 6 Cities, 7 Venues on 19th June, 2016

Gear-up for a multi-city musical gala as Artist Aloud, the one-stop destination for talent and independent content is back with the much awaited ‘World Music Day’. This musical night will take music buffs on an experience like never before. To be celebrated in India’s only musically themed restaurant chain Hard Rock Café, this year’s event promises to be bigger, better and something like never before. Indi.com has gloriously joined hands with Artist Aloud to bring this ravishing and mind-blowing experience which will be larger than life! Performing will be over 40 artists in more than 15 genres across India’s metros with 10 Headlining Acts. Indi World Music Day 2016, driven by Kawasaki will definitely be one-of-its kind music festival and will be celebrated on 19th June 2016 simultaneously in 6 cities & 7 venues of Hard Rock Café across the country.

The true power of music will take over at the Hard Rock Café stage as music icons will enthral the music aficionados with popular tracks and mesmerizing melodies. This year, the artist line-up befits a true ‘World Music Day celebration’ with the latest acts being a mix of nationwide and internationally celebrated artists. The special line-up of artists curated by Artist Aloud are DJ Chetas & Lost stories (Mumbai – Andheri), Indian Ocean along with special act by Indiva (Mumbai - Worli), Amit Trivedi LIVE (Pune), Benny Dayal (Bengaluru), Zaeden & Anish Sood (Hyderabad), Euphoria (Delhi) and Parikrama (Gurgaon).

To give a unique experience to music enthusiasts and increase consumer engagement, Artist Aloud has designed numerous challenges on various platforms to get associated with this event. Audiences can showcase their talent through different contests digitally through Indi.com. Lucky winners of “Indi Singing Sensation Challenge”, “The Host Challenge” & “You Know You Rock Hard Challenge” get to share the stage with the headlining acts in their respective cities. For more info, log on to indi.com/worldmusicday and challenge yourself!

Last year the event venues were packed as more than 5,000 music lovers headed to celebrate life and music. This year too, music buffs will be in for a treat and can partake in a thrilling experience of great music, wine, drinks, best of international cuisine, glamour, fashion and Indi challenges at Hard Rock Café outlets. Limited tickets available at BookMyShow, Eventshigh & Hard Rock Café.

Indi World Music Day 2016 is enhanced by partners such as Radio Partner Red FM, Music channel Partner 9XM, Multiplex Partner Carnival Cinemas, Cinema advertising partner Khushi advertising, Food Search partner Burrp, Nightlife App Partner Happitoo, Priority Partner Event Elaan, Online Media Partner Actfaqs, Online Promotional Partner BeatSutra, Indian Music Mug and Music Unplugged, Promotional App Partners EventsHigh, Townista and Nearify. Sponsors, Indi.com, Kawasaki, Bisleri, Involve car perfumes. And lastly venue partner Hard Rock Café & Ticketing Partner Book My Show. The Event is a property of ArtistAloud.com. 6 Cities, 7 Venues, 10 Headlining Acts and just One Celebration! Are you ready for this melodious celebration? For more details logon to www.artistaloud.com/WorldMusicDay

After Sydney and Melbourne, Ayushmann Khurrana to tour the US and Canada

After his Sydney and Melbourne gigs earlier this year, Ayushmann Khurrana is set to embark on another musical tour from July 8-24 with singer Sunidhi Chauhan. This time, the duo is headed to the US and Canada and will tour Orlando, Houston, Toronto, Washington, Los Angeles, San Jose, Dallas, Seattle and Vancouver. 

"We've been meaning to tour the US and Canada since last year. It's finally happening and we are excited," confirms the actor-singer who will perform on a mix of songs ranging from hits from the 1990s to his own chartbusters like "Pani Da Rang" and "Mitti Di Khushboo". "I get maximum requests to sing these two songs. We will also sing rock versions of 90s hits like "Meri Pant Bhi Sexy" and "Hawa Hawa", amongst other hit tracks," reveals the 31-year-old actor, who is currently working on a film with Parineeti Chopra. 

Prod him on how he manages to balance concerts with his hectic shooting schedules, and he says, "I've been performing with my band for a while now. A two-three-day practice before tour usually suffices," asserts the Vicky Donor actor, adding that he's also gearing up to release another single. "The previous single, "Yahin Hoon Main", was in Hindi so this time it is going to be a Punjabi number, which I have composed and sung," he concludes.

Radio grows in Bharat: 94.3 MY FM records topline revenue of Rs 107.5 crore

DB Corp Ltd., which owns the 94.3 MY FM brand announced its annual results 2015-16 during the board meeting held on 20th May 2016. MY FM has crossed a landmark, and joined the 100 crore club by recording a topline revenue of Rs 107.5 crore in FY 2015-16. Furthermore MY FM has been outperforming the industry on EBIDTA margins

Commenting on the annual results, Mr. Harrish Bhatia, CEO, MY FM said, “I am overwhelmed that we have reached this milestone. After being the only radio station to Break even in the shortest span of 3 years and turning PAT positive in less than 5 years of operation crossing 100 crore is definitely another landmark for us.

These results are a reflection of our differentiated product by following a strategy of customer centricity and strong brand connect in our markets. Radio listeners have now evolved more than ever and we are committed to providing our listeners with unique and engaging content. We have always set high industry standards by introducing best of talent and breakthrough content.”

Viplove Gupte, ‎Chief Programming Officer said, “In an effort to bring highly specialized and focused content on radio we launched Crossfire; radio's first ever hard hitting interview. The intent was to bring serious listeners back to radio, create value for listeners and give them a strong reason to tune in. We have differentiated ourselves in terms of content i.e. exclusive shows as well as positioning i.e. ‘jiyo dil se’ (our strong belief) to build an emotional connect with the listeners. For any medium, the growth will come only if the content is good. Our On ground initiatives are unique and have a strong connect Jiyo Dil Se Awards, Rangrezz (Painting Competition), Paiso ka Ped, Daawat E Music have a strong connect with the listeners and brings out the extraordinary in them. In the coming years, we will undertake new and exclusive strategies which will further take us to the next level of radio growth. ”

Mr. Bhatia further added, “Advertising revenues for the radio industry have actually grown very well and are poised for an even greater growth. We are present in the real Bharat, it is these towns where the malls, multiplexes are growing, where consumerism is increasing by leaps. We look forward to interesting times in Radio.”

In a country where education levels are still low and power cuts are rampant, radio acts as the most effective medium to reach to a larger audience. This is true especially in the case of TIER II and TIER III cities where there is lack of infrastructure for entertainment and engagement. Hence, Radio takes a Lead.

94.3 MY (the radio arm of DB Corp group) identified this opportunity and started its operations in 2006 in Jaipur and in next couple of years saw itself become the forth radio network in India with presence across 7 states. Following the strategy of the parent company, D B Corp Ltd., MY FM too concentrates on TIER II and TIER III cities. Even, when the country was hit by financial crisis MY FM was able to break even in 3 years and turn PAT positive in four and a half years. MY FM 94.3 continues to cultivate strong listenership base through active audience engagement and brand promotion activities.

A pioneering brand in the radio space, 94.3 MY FM is the radio business of DB Corp Ltd. Launched in 2006, MY FM took a bottom-up approach and set up its network across 17 Tier II & III cities across 7 states, building on the strong local understanding that Bhaskar Group had in these markets. True to its brand name which signifies the emotional ownership and personalized approach of the station, MY FM has successfully established a network of 17 highly localized stations focusing on individual market preferences. Constantly evolving and innovating its offerings, 94.3 MY FM draws a keen focus on its brand philosophy of 'Jiyo Dil Se', forging an emotional connect with its listeners while continually creating offerings to suit local tastes. MY FM is poised to expand its territory and launch another 13 stations this year.

Designer Duo Bharat & Reshma Grover felicitated with “Most Inspiring Success Stories” Award

Recently at an award ceremony in the city Designer Duo Bharat & Reshma were felicitated with an award by actor and social worker Raveena Tandon for being an inspiration to many for their successful journey as accomplished entrepreneurs and fashion designers. As their journey from the time that Bharat was a teenager and how he struggled to achieve success was told to the audience, Bharat said he felt ecstatic to receive an award for inspiring others. Being an inspiration to others is the true reward of all our hard work said the duo.

Bharat & Reshma Grover are established names in the world of fashion and have made a niche for themselves in the world of fashion within a very short span of time, so much so that fashionistas and style icons of today are more than eager to follow in their footsteps. The designers are holistic package which comes with plenty beyond sheer designing.They are not confined to mere designing but they exude essence of all pervading style. Besides the fact that their creations appeal to a wide cross section of the society they essentially appeal to the generations y and z.

The youth seems completely enamoured with their outfits and nothing seems to deter them from opting for their designs.  They have strongest point of their design as they have an attire for every occasion be it a wedding, corporate event, gala dinner, or a casual outing.

Kay Kay Menon's San' Pachattar is based on 1975 emergency

While Madhur Bhandarkar recently announced that he is all set to make his most ambitious project which will be based during the era of 1975 emergency, Pehle Aap Motion Pictures has already completed their Maiden project San Pachattar, which is also based on the era of Emergency.

"Emergency period lasted from June 1975 to March 1977 and is one of the darkest periods of Indian History. We learn true lessons of life only from history and I decided to make a film based on some unknown and uncovered events during the period of emergency. It's a fun film and is entertaining and stimulating at the same time. It’s not preachy and heavy like most films have been on the supposed unfortunate event of our recent memories. The style of editing and background score makes it edgy. It is a very well balanced film keeping both entertainment and sensibilities in place and will teleport you instantly to the 70's. It's sensible yet is entertaining and will ramble one into a trip. It will infuse some innovative freshness to our spectrum of movies and is the way forward,” says the producer Kabir Lovee.

"The film is an absolute visual and audio symphony. It is the first true Political Period Thriller of Indian Cinema. I am happy that I am a part of this film and played the most layered and myriad character of my career till date. It took me nearly six months to get into the skin and psyche of the character and to get the crisis right,” says Kay Kay Menon.

Speaking about Kay Kay, Kabir adds, “To quote the great Neil Armstrong when he landed on the moon - One small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind. I would say it's just ballsy. To do real justice to the role, who better than Kay Kay Menon. He is probably the best we have and is a true artist in all senses. I am delighted and blessed that he agreed to take on the challenge yet again and this time he has surpassed the apogee of performance ever being achieved on Indian celluloid. He reinvented it and made the character more dynamic by adding his style and nuances. We are gonna witness some awesomeness" says the producer. P. S. Kay Kay will devour us!!!

San' Pachattar is a stepping stone into the genre of Period Thriller, which has never been explored and carries a huge youth connect. The film’s plot revolves around a deal of the first mobile phone (prototype) being brought in India with emergency in the background.

While Madhur's project is still in its pre-production stages, San Pachattar that is directed by Navneet Behl and stars Kay Kay Menon, Pravessh Rana, Tom Alter and Kirti Kulhari in pivotal roles is all set to release soon.  Watch out..

Brand ambassador Hrithik Roshan unveils Rado’s tasty chocolate brown timepieces

Rado, the Swiss watch brand known for its innovative use of design and materials, officially introduced its chocolate brown high-tech ceramic collection at the Rado boutique in Mumbai today. Marking the second anniversary of the boutique, the new line of watches was launched by Rado brand ambassador and beloved Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan.

Rado is proud to add a new colour to its growing spectrum of high-tech ceramic: chocolate brown. The new colour mirrors subtle changes in light from a light, sweet brown to a range of dark, rich chocolate hues. Chocolate brown is remarkably easy to wear, complementing warm, earthy colours in a wide range of styles from evening attire to casual sportswear.

Commenting on the launch, brand ambassador Hrithik Roshan stated, “Rado is known for watches par excellence and yet again they have surprised me with this delicious chocolate brown high-tech ceramic collection. In the international fashion space, brown is becoming the new black and is one of the year’s trend colours. I am really excited to launch these stunning watches, which have become my favourite chocolate indulgence these days.”

Well known to connoisseurs of Swiss artistry and craftsmanship, brown is the signature colour of the Maîtres Chocolatiers who have made Switzerland synonymous with chocolate heaven. The new colour offers all the benefits of high-tech ceramic including scratch resistance, lightness and the ability to adapt to the wearer’s skin. Six unique ceramic timepieces in this colour were introduced at the event. Highlights include:

Rado HyperChrome Automatic Diamonds – Limited Edition

This dazzling piece in rich brown high-tech ceramic and rose gold coloured detail is studded with a total of 56 Top Wesselton diamonds, transforming this exceptional timekeeper into a sensuous, glamorous and exclusive delight.

Rado HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph Tachymeter

As Hrithik Roshan’s new watch of choice, this timepieces features a matt brown high-tech ceramic case with a polished rich brown bezel engraved with a tachometric scale and filled with white Super-Luminova. The rose gold coloured stainless steel inserts further add to the beauty of the watch.

Rado HyperChrome Automatic

This simple brown beauty features a polished, rich brown monobloc ceramic case and classic three-hand style.

Rado is a globally recognised brand, famous for innovative design and its use of revolutionary materials to create some of the world’s most durable watches. Ever since its beginnings in Lengnau, Switzerland, Rado has been a pioneer, with the brand philosophy “if we can imagine it, we can make it” still holding true today. The Rado boutique in Mumbai is located at 317, Rinku Cooperative Housing Society, Linking Road, Khar West, Mumbai. 

Harman Baweja's cousin brother Johny caught in a Sex scandal

Sex and scandal are two of the biggest news makers in Bollywood. After bollywood celebrities like Bipasha Basu, Aman Verma, Ashmit Patel, Shiney Ahuja, Madhur Bhandarkar, Aditya Pancholi to name a few who have been caught in one scandals, the latest actor cum producer to be caught in one such scandalous net is Harman Baweja's brother Johny Baweja.

This actor / producer was caught in a compromising position with an unknown face in his bedroom. The video was leaked a few days back and is doing rounds across internet. This is not the first time such a scandalous news like this has been out creating rounds all around, there are lots of other celebrities who are being caught in sex scandals before.

"I am surprised how this footage got leaked. Yes this is me in the footage but how did you guys get it... It is so embarrassing. This is a film I’m doing and it is a rehearsal video and it is supposed to be a very personal thing" says Johny Baweja.

Parleen Gill and Abhishek Kumar launch their first music album-The Stagz featuring Hard Kaur!

The top 2 versatile singers of Indian Idol 3 have launched their first music album called ‘The Stagz’ featuring Hard Kaur. The talented duo band have released its first music video album called, ‘Who wants to party now’ today in Mumbai. Parleen Gill and Abhishek Kumar are starting their crusade of launching their first new album with the pop queen-Hard Kaur.

The song ‘Who wants to party now’ is a new age party anthem, composed by the 4 baj gaye fame, ‘Hard Kaur’. The foot tapping music will promise to enthrall the music lovers with its high scaled techno addictive beats. Speaking about the album launch, Parleen and Abhishek said,” We are proud to announce our first debut album as ‘The Stagz’.We are really excited about our debut album and we feel a nervous energy similar like giving a board exam all ever again! Hard Kaur has composed this song and she has inspired us to form this band and debut in our first music album.‘Who wants to party now’ is a step towards changing the mindsets of people who think winners of television reality series fade away with time! We hope that our followers and listeners love this song and we garner massive viewership”.

The song has released worldwide across all digital platforms and shall be aired on television soon! Meanwhile, you can check the video here:

Bipasha’s honeymoon pics drive fresh couple frenzy for Maldives!

Maldives has always been a popular tourist destination with Indians. However, ever since Bollywood diva Bipasha Basu posted her first honeymoon pictures from the sun-kissed beaches of the beautiful island nation, couples planning their honeymoons in India have gone into frenzy!

Travel advisers and experts say the past few days have seen inquiries about tour packages for Maldives go up exceptionally, with a lot of honeymooners enquiring about special destinations in the islands. Many who were hitherto undecided about their destination and were confused between a few seem to have suddenly made up their mind for the Indian Ocean islands.

Notably, Bipasha and her beau actor Karan Singh Grover tied the knot in a widely attended wedding on April 30, and flew on to the Maldives for their honeymoon this week. From the pristine beaches of the destination, both have been posting wonderfully romantic and exotic pictures, obviously having a gala time.

“Given its proximity to India, Maldives has in recent years caught up as a popular destination among Indian tourists. But, Bipasha seems to have driven its popularity to the next level, especially among young couples who are planning their honeymoon. Interestingly, the inquiries and requests for honeymoon packages to Maldives have suddenly gone up this week. Maldives tourism will certainly see an increased footfall from Indians this year,” says Kapil Goswamy, Founder and MD Bigbreaks.com.

When asked by what number the travellers to Maldives have increased, Kapil Goswamy says: “It would be relevant to mention that post the stories and images appearing in the press, there has been a big increase of 20% in the number of queries we are getting for Maldives, particularly from young couples planning their honeymoons for later in the year. The exact numbers will be revealed only after a few months when the trips take place, for now the interest for that destination is clearly up.

He also added that the current size of tourist industry of Maldives has much been boosted after the honeymoon pictures of Bipasha Basu? He adds, “According to figures available, during 2014, the Maldives got about 46000 tourists from India , and this number stood at close to 50000 for 2015.  With all the press reports and images of Bipasha Basu’s honeymoon in the Maldives, this number is set to rise dramatically (by upto 20%) during 2016 and is expected to grow more.

Zoya’s new commercials features a narrative voice-over by the dynamic Kabir Bedi’

Zoya, a luxury diamond boutique from the House of Tata offers exquisite jewellery that has been created for the design-seeking woman with an international sensibility and an appreciation for fine craftsmanship and unique design.

This season, Zoya launches a new set of commercials that brilliantly captures the precision of master craftsmanship and showcases the unique inspirations from around the world that come to life in its jewelry. The series of short films are narrated in the well known baritone of legendary thespian Kabir Bedi. Ancient cultures, forgotten relics, exotic fabrics, a sudden burst of stunning jewels - all capture the very soul of each inspiration with skilled workmanship.

Zoya is a gallery of fine art and in its incessant quest for unique inspirations goes on a voyage around the world, through its compendium titled ‘Zoya Masterpieces’. The muse lies in the mythology of Greece, intricately woven French lace, the graceful moves of Spanish Flamenco dancers and returning to Benaras, the oldest living city in the world, is enchanted by the ornate temple spires. These inspirations are beautifully transformed into opulent pieces of jewellery encrusted with the finest diamonds, precious stones and the purest of gold.

Zoya contemporizes illustrious and iconographic design sensibilities interpreting it traditionally and fashionably.

Neha Dhupia bags The Angries Award!

Taking the city by storm, RED from The Angry Birds Movie is out awarding celebrities who are ANGRY, and for a good reason. After bestowing Sonakshi Sinha and RJ Malishka with The Angries awards, the ANGRY BIRD has found the next angry celebrity – Bollywood darling and former Miss India Neha Dhupia. Of the many things that we love about the actress, the ones that we probably love the most are her strong opinions and her ability to take a stand. In the recent past the actress tweeted about the potholes menace in the city and little did she know that there would be a protest outside her house for voicing her honest opinion! This not only made the actress very angry but also made her the third winner of what's turning out to be an award to reckon with, The Angries!

The former Miss India & Bollywood Actress, who does not believe in suppressing opinions, received The Angries for Being Angry at Restricted Freedom of Speech

On getting the Award, the actress says, “It makes me angry to be forced to live with the fact that despite having the freedom of speech, we still aren't truly free to speak our minds. People and situations around us can be so restrictive and binding that it challenges the core of free speech. This Award is actually a reminder for me to never give up on my effort to voice my opinion, no matter what the odds. Also, it feels good to know that it has registered in someone's head that I'm here to speak my mind and hopefully one day, I’ll get a chance to do so without any barriers."

Any guesses on who will receive The Angries Award next? Find out why the Birds are so angry when you catch The Angry Birds Movie at a theatre near you in English, Hindi and Tamil from today - 27th May!

Jackky’s musical bonding with Steve Agnello

Music is known for its soulful connection and is instrumental in bringing together people from diverse backgrounds. Actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani, too is a music buff and an admirer of the former Swedish House Mafia member Steve Agnello’s music. The recently turned producer has been looking forward to meeting him ever since he has heard that he is going to perform at the first Indian edition of the 'Don’t let daddy know' (DLDK) tour tomorrow.

The Sarbjit producer who is an avid follower of the Greek-Swedish DJ shares a personal rapport with Steve. Jackky recently tweeted showcasing his enthusiasm for the concert to which the EDM artist responded promptly.  Known for his creative sensibilities, Jackky has in the past also spoken about being keen on a professional collaboration in his next venture with the EDM artist who is known to be a Bollywood fan himself. Speaking on the occasion Jackky said “I love Steve’s music and I am glad he’s here to showcase his brilliant work. I can’t wait to be a part of the musical extravaganza.”

Jackky also plans to play the perfect host to this EDM icon and give him a taste of good old fashioned Indian hospitality. We’ve already seen Jackky prove his mettle as an actor and producer. Wonder if DJing is next on his mind!

Oh No! Not Again... A straight rip off in Do Lafzon ki Kahani..

Anything for the sake of publicity. Yes!! Recently there were media reports that Kajal Aggarwal who will be seen playing a role of a blind girl in the upcoming romantic movie Do Lafzon Ki Kahani injured her left foot while shooting in Malaysia. According to a section of the media that carried the news, it seems that director Deepak Tijori mentioned that Kajal had a real bad foot injury and being an outstation schedule they couldn’t reschedule the shoot. Hence, they decided to incorporate a romantic sequence with her leg injury.

Well, according to informed sources, Do Lafzon Ki Kahani is a remake of the Korean film >>Always only you<< and this is scene straight from the film. Should we say more??

Ayushmann Khurana pulls the rickshaw in Kolkata

Just like Om Puri who as a rickshaw-puller Hasari Pal, in the film City of Joy, gave American actor Patrick Swayze a ride in the rickshaw in the by-lanes of Kolkata, recently Ayushmann Khurana as Abhimanyu re-enacted the same by giving a rickshaw joyride to Bindu in Kolkata during the making of #Meri Pyaari Bindu. Here’s a snapshot direct from the sets…

Buckle up for an unparalleled musical experience with Rabbi Shergill and 5 other phenomenal bands

Get ready for a fun weekend as The Gig Hop is here! Head over to Dublin Square at Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla to experience an unparalleled musical performance featuring Rabbi Shergill as the headlining act and 5 other live bands including Tublu at Rainforest, Rang at 212 and Savio at Craft on the 28th May from 7 PM onwards. The evening promises to be a fun-filled extravaganza with great music, food and drinks at the European themed, Dublin Square.

Rabbi shot to fame with his debut album Rabbi (2004) and the chart buster song, 'Bulla ki Jaana'. His music has been described as rock, Punjabi, with Sufi-style music and a lot of Western arrangements. Shergill has been called "Punjabi music's true urban balladeer".At Gig Hop, the singer will perform his famous tracks such ‘Tere Bin’,‘Challa’, ‘Tu Mun Shudi‘ and many more.

So head to Dublin Square at Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla for an unforgettable evening at The Gig Hop!

Date: Saturday, 28th May 2016

Venue: Dublin Square, Level 1, Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla

Time: 7.00 p.m. Onwards

Entry: Tickets available on Book My Show

Link: http://mrkt.city/gighoprabbi

Author, novelist and poet, Alexshendra Venus Bakshi establishes herself as one of the finest writers of India

Alexshendra Venus Bakshi is a young Indian author, novelist and poet. Alexshendra’s published and widely acclaimed novel “Aarambh ki Gyarah Kahaniya”, considered as her magnum opus is a unique collection of eleven stories in fiction and is currently a part of the plethora of books in the library of Niti Ayog which was formerly known as the Planning Commission Govt. of India. In this novel her stories are focused on the injustices and evils of society and relate to the ever increasing desensitization and degradation in the moral fabric of our contemporary society. Arambh Ki Gyarah Kahaniya entails the exasperated loss of patience which characterizes our modern day civilization.

Alexshendra has been penning her poetic thoughts and weaving them skillfully into her stories since childhood and has incidentally brought new life to Hindi short story writing.Much of her writing draws on her experiences gathered during her childhood and growing up years spent in different cities across India, which fortunately offered her a splendid opportunity to appreciate the unity and diversity of our rich and magnificent culture. These wonderful and insightful experiences have consequently left a positive impact on her writing. Alexshendra has established herself as one of the finest writers of India.

After completing her BA Honors from the reputed Gargi College she pursued her studies in law.  She is currently an accomplished lawyer handling both civil and criminal cases and specializes in law which delves and deals with women empowerment.

Her father is a retired IPS officer and her mother who is a double Masters in Hindi and History has played a vital role in instilling deep respect for Hindi language. Even though Alexshendra is multilingual, she prefers to write in Hindi language. Her ardent wish is that the younger generation should take keen interest in writing and promoting Hindi language.

Alexshendra’s interests revolve around working for the empowerment of women, child welfare and care for environmental sustainability. Besides this she is passionate about exploring the history of various cultures and countries.

Alexshendra had conceptualized an exhibition of paintings illustrating 11 stories from her book, a dream which she fulfilled by hosting an art exhibition “Aarambh ke Gyarah Chitra” based on her book “Aarambh ke gyarah kahaniya”. The stories were depicted on canvas by artist Ankur Ranaon different facets of human nature.

Her forth coming novel is in the completion stage andis a portrayal on inner and outer beauty. The author also has grand plans to have plays enacted on her stories.

The future goals of Alexshendra include writing her heart out in Hindi so that the divine language is duly served and to contribute tremendously to women empowerment and in making the world a safer place for children.

Alexshendra has been invited as a Panelist Speaker by several channels to participate and address matters on social issues. She has been honored by ICUNR awards as the women achiever of the year. That’s certainly a feather in her cap!

From Kushti to Cowdung, Anushka in ‘Sultan’ is the perfect everyday female hero

Anushka Sharma looks dainty and urbane but none of this persona impacted her desi,village girl performance as Arfa in Sultan. In the film, Anushka handles domestic tasks with ease, perfectly playing the regular female hero in every Indian household who manages to multi task everyday.

Specifically, there is a scene where Anushka has to make cow dung cakes- a common form of household fuel used in Haryana. As Arfa, the ambitious and successful wrestler, her character takes on boys and challenges alike. She also took on the task of shooting with cow dung comfortably and delivered with ease. While the film’s production team was iffy about her comfort with cow dung, Anushka surprised everyone pleasantly.

Speaking about the many faces of Arfa, Anushka said, “Arfa’s strength lies in her quiet but resolute ability to manage work at home, on a farm and still focus on wrestling. Every Indian home has a hero in the woman who keeps everything together, and ensures that the family is cared for. Their work might be silent and go unnoticed at most times. Through Arfa, I hope to highlight their strength and contribution to society and family.”

Not just onscreen, in real life too, Anushka Sharma has been juggling different roles effortlessly. She has been shooting for her second home production ‘Phillauri’ in Punjab since mid April. She spent a week shooting for ‘Sultan’ and has returned to the Phillauri sets. Switching between roles, tasks and films with ease- Anushka’s commitment comes through. She will fly into Mumbai for a day for the grand Sultan trailer launch, and fly back to Punjab to finish her home production by June.When it comes to managing their life and passions, Anushka and Arfa have quite a few parallels.

Actress anchor artiste Pankhuri Awasthi is now Kenisha

Singer, Actor, Anchor-Emcee, Poet, Performer par excellence Pankhuri Awasthi, the multi-faceted daughter of Sapna Awasthi (who delivered iconic superhit Hindi songs such as ‘Chhaiyya Chhaiyya’ picturised on Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora Khan), has changed her name to Kenisha. Kenisha raps under the moniker ‘BomBaeb’.

Talking about her new name, Kenisha says, “My new name Kenisha means ‘beautiful’, ‘pure’ and ‘prosperous’. My new name defines me to a tee in one single word and that’s essentially what a name should do.”

Kenisha is a singing sensation with drop dead gorgeous looks; beauty with brains who takes up social causes such as rape, Indo-Pak border strife and world change; a poet who wants to change playback singing in Indian cinema; a non-conformist who wishes to make Nikki Minaj style of ‘rap’ singing popular in India and become the female version of trailblazers Honey Singh and Baadshah as she charts a new trail. Elaborating on the name change, she says, “I wanted to be unique and didn’t want to share my name with anyone else in the entertainment and events world. My name has to be in sync with my prime attributes.”The new name was necessitated by the presence of another TV actor who had the same name even though Kenisha is into much more elements in showbiz.

As a spoken word artiste, Kenisha is soon planning to release ‘A Border Drawn In Blood’ which is not about violence but all about peace and harmony. “I strongly believe in democracy, freedom of speech and expression. I believe in human rights, animal rights and gender rights and I believe in co-existence of man, animal and nature in perfect harmony,” she avers.

Kenisha, who debuted with Girish Kumar in a hit Bollywood romantic film ‘Ramaiya Vastavaiya’, directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by Kumar S. Taurani, is known more in event management circles and youtube channels than in Bollywood.For instance, multi-talented Kenisha is a trained singer in both Western and Hindustani classical music genres. She is an alumni of the prestigious True School of Music which is affiliated with The Manhattan School of Music, New York. She has taken private lessons from renowned voice culturist Jennifer D’Souza. She has learnt Hindustani classical under the Kumar GandharvaGharana followed by enrolling in the prestigious Gyan Ashram music school.

Kenisha’s slam poem #RapAgainstRape went viral worldwide and was featured on BBC, Vogue, Marie Claire, Huffington Post and all leading TV channels and publications. Thus kickstarting her music career with a bang! “My YouTube channel is growing by the hour and is hugely popular and loved thanks to my distinct style of singing, glamorous appearance and highly creative videos most of which I conceptualise and direct myself, “she says.

Since the age of 7, Kenisha had a penchant for singing and performing on stage and in events. Music is her life and she loves expressing herself and writing her own songs. After finishing college.she auditioned for STAR CJ and soon after bagged a hugely popular show which she co-hosted alongside VJ Andy. Post this, she hosted a fashion based show on UTV Stars called Style Addict. She is the only emcee who has simultaneously worked with top TV networks such as Channel (V), UTV Stars and UTV Bindassas an anchor as well as celebrated as a Youtube music sensation and featured on BBC London, Canada AM , Huffington Post Live and so so on.

During her anchoring stint on Channel (V) a casting director in TIPS saw her and auditioned her for the role in ‘RamaiyaVastavaiya’. Her stunning looks and talent fetched her the ‘negative’ lead role in the film. The film happened without intent and it was a surreal experience. She got several offers to play ‘dumb bimbette’ roles but she refused all of them.

Kenisha is spontaneous and has very good communication skills. She was an advertising student with a flair for languages – she knows English, Hindi and also Urdu having read (Saadat Hassan) Manto’s works. She believes she is blessed with an incredible gift of the gab. “I combine my glamorous looks with natural wit and spontaneous humor to uplift any event – be it corporate, celebratory or entertainment. With over 500 live events to my credit, I have the experience to handle any kind of audience, in any numbers and for any kind of an occasion which is coming in as very handy with respect to my singing shows now too since now shows singers are required to be full-blown performers and not just mere vocalists. My USP is my versatility as a performer. I do singing and dance shows with my troupe. I am a popular TV Host, a celebrated YouTuber and a spoken word artiste,” says Kenisha.

After the global success of #RapagainstRape, Kenisha came back with an ode to the modern day woman titled Modern Woman – Version 2016. The rap track aims to unveil the mystery of who and what a modern woman is all about while celebrating the evolution of women through the ages.

The video, inspired by American stand-up comedian and social critic George Carlin’s ‘I’m a modern man’, explains the very many attributes of a modern age woman: “A modern woman is a tomboy, a killjoy, a jaywalker, a smooth talker, a seductress and yet a damsel in distress. “I’m in sync but outlandish/ I’m a feminist who loves men/ I’m old school yet a modern great/ I’m fragile but strong willed/ I’m no sinner, I’m no saint/ High on life but not on drugs…”

Last Independence day, Kenisha came up with the Independence Rap #Winyourfreedom. “I wanted to tell people – let no one else decide your freedom. It is your right to be truly YOU. Claim who you are break yourself free from judgments, social diktats, expectations or societal norms. Win your freedom today! says Kenisha.

Arjun Kapoor continues to grow as an actor with his diverse choices

While most youngsters look to find their comfort zones, there’s a young star who believes in challenging the odds to seek comfort. Yes, it is none other than the young and dashing Arjun Kapoor who has consistently been springing up one surprise after the other. Whether it’s his choice of films or TV shows or public appearances, this new age star is pleasantly unpredictable. While one may wonder what Arjun’s success mantra is, the actor believes it’s a calculated risk considering the vision and the talent of the directors he’s worked with so far.

Recently when Arjun was asked about how he musters courage to do different kinds of roles, Arjun said “I think if it was somebody else coming with an idea about me playing a homemaker, I wouldn’t have done it. And of course to do a Finding Fanny you need somebody as out there as Homi. He was the main reason for me to jump in... You cannot always do films for the monetary reasons. You cannot always do it for box-office especially when you are starting out because you really don’t know what’s going to work.”

While Arjun continues to grow as an actor with his diverse choices, we can only wonder what’s next in line.

Ileana D’cruz flexes her style quotient: Unveils the all new range of Go Flex Walk

Skechers, the second largest sports & lifestyle footwear brand in the US, known for its comfortable shoes, introduces an exhilarating range - Skechers Go Flex Walk. These shoes are a true amalgamation of comfort and flex technology for ultra-flexibility to move with you. The Goga Mat insole in this range provides high rebound & additional bounce for all day comfort.  This exclusive collection for women was launched by the extremely fit and gorgeous Ileana D’Cruz at the Skechers Flagship store in Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, Mumbai.

At the event, Ileana put the Flex to the test as she showcased the diverse range of these new age lightweight and comfortable Go Flex shoes that are available in a spectrum of bold colours in slip on and lace up categories. Dressed in smart casuals, Ileana sported her favourite pair from the range and said “I’m thrilled to be a part of this launch. World over, Skechers is known for its comfortable and trendy shoes. The Go Flex Walk is a must have for all fashion and fitness lovers as it easily fits in the various spheres of your daily routine ranging from athletic walking to yoga, pilates, low impact gym fitness and even daily causal wear.”

Speaking at the launch, Rahul Vira – CEO, Skechers South Asia Pvt Ltd, further added, “At Skechers, we always strive to offer our customers the best in comfort, style and technology in the footwear segment. The Go Flex range is designed with an articulated segmented sole that provides optimum flexibility to the foot and makes you feel that the shoe is moving with your foot following the contour of the terrain underneath. The Go Flex are shoes that move with you.”

The Skechers Go Flex Walk offers flexible and fashionable shoes that provide great comfort. It’s specially designed sole provides anatomically correct ultra-flexibility wherein each segment of the flexible sole is designed to move independently with your foot.  The Super Sock, a soft unified fabric upper, helps the shoe confirm to the foot and fit its contour seamlessly and the foot-bed has a Goga Mat Technology insole that provides high-rebound cushioning and comfort all day long. The Agion insole aids in microbial protection and protects the foot from bad odor. The insole also comes with a unique moisture wicking technique so as to avoid foot slippage against the footbed.  All of these features come together to make sure your feet are loved like never before.

Stay comfortable wherever you go with the Skechers Go Flex Walk shoes.

The Angry Birds movie gets a Local Twist!

The excitement levels for The Angry Birds Movie have just soared higher. The Hindi version The Angry Birds Movie is getting a cool, street smart script from the writer who lent his creative expertise to blockbusters Om Shanti Om, Happy New Year and ABCD. Mayur Puri will be penning the Hindi dialogues for one of the most anticipated films of the year - The Angry Birds Movie releasing in English, Hindi and Tamil on May 27. Along with co-writers Taranveer Singh and Akshaye Rathi, Mayur will be bringing this trademark magic to The Angry Birds Movie with a promise to leave the audiences all a-flutter.

“For a film to travel across the country it has to connect, entertain and made relevant for the regional audience. So it is important that the story is told in the idiom and with the flavour that resonates with them. For the Hindi version of The Angry Birds Movie, we needed story tellers who could trans-create rather than translate and for that we decided to bring on some of the best writing talent in our country and we are happy that Mayur and his team have delivered a supremely entertaining narrative with the right 'masala' ingredients to appeal to people of all ages.” said Vivek Krishnani, Managing Director - Sony Pictures India.

“Apart from the film, the new script has been showcased in our promotional campaign as well. We’ve been getting enthusiastic reactions to our trailers and promos from audiences across age groups who can identify with these dialogues. This approach, undoubtedly, will add that extra magic and take the film to new heights", said Divya Pathak, Director - Marketing, Sony Pictures India. “In fact, we hope people will see value in watching the film in both languages,” she added.

Sharing his excitement on being a part of the film, Mayur Puri said, “The Angry Birds are a phenomenon! Rarely do we see characters who connect with audiences across all ages. Each one of us has played the game and I am sure each one of us will ‘flock’ to theatres to watch this phenomenon come to life on the big screen. I am so thrilled to be a part of this movie and we are confident we can do justice to these immensely popular and beloved characters".

The Angry Birds Movie is based on the popular mobile game of the same name and has Jason Sudeikis (Horrible Bosses), Josh Gad (Pixels, Frozen), Danny McBride (Due Date, This is the End), Maya Rudolph (Grown Ups, Bridesmaids) and Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) lending their voices to different characters.

The film is distributed by Sony Pictures and will release tomorrow in India on May 27 in English, Hindi and Tamil. It will also be available in 3D.

'Celebrating Curvaceous' Celebrity Masterclass cum trunk show with India's Powerful Food and Fashion Quaternity

True beauty lies within. No matter what your shape, size or state of mind - looking good is all about feeling good!

Personifying this adage are four powerful women who are helming a first-of-its-kind 'Celebrating Curvaceous' Masterclass cum trunk-show this May 27th and 28th at Archana Kocchar's store in Juhu. A four part Masterclass, this unique initiative will bring together, for the first time ever, the quaternity of Ace Designer Archana Kochhar, Celebrity Chef Rakhee Vaswani, renowned make-up artist Gurpreet Ghura & celebrity photographer Shruti Tejwani who will teach women how to flaunt your curves best and feel confident no matter what your size or age! Substantial proceeds from this Trunk Show will be donated to Smile Foundation to support the cause of Girl Child Education.

An event with healthy food and positive glamour, these maestros will showcase the latest in fashion, food and make-up to look a size smaller with easy tips and tricks that will help you become more comfortable with your body. Designer Archana Kochhar will showcase how correct styling and layering can make one look perfect, while Celebrity Chef Rakhee Vaswani will conduct a workshop on salads and healthy eating.  Renowned make-up artist Gurpreet will show how contouring adds to the stylish look so that when you are ready for a click, Celebrity Photographer Shruti can guide you around the perfect pose for a lean look and a perfect angles per body types to take a (popular) selfie! This is will followed by talk by various TV celebrities who will share their experiences o the same, centered around being comfortable in your own skin and achieving a smaller size the right way without any societal stress or unnecessary pressure.

"We have often seen the stereotypical thinking on what a plus size woman should wear and shouldn't wear. The extra pounds shouldn't translate into boring, shapeless outfits. With the easy style of layering, you'll learn how to accentuate your best assets, camouflage those trouble spots, and look thinner. Pretty prêt picks from our latest collection, will help you experiment with different looks according to your body type" said Ace Designer Archana Kochhar.

Celebrity Chef Rakhee Vaswani feels, "80% of all abs are made in the kitchen! Eating right goes a long way in ensuring you attain your desired body type. It’s not about weight loss; it’s about eating the right things at the right time to avoid bloating and unnecessary fat gain. In this masterclass I will work with Blueberry and Pomegranate to create low-cal + high on taste salad dressings such as a Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette and one with a pomegranate reduction that you can carry and store wherever you go and make healthy eating more exciting, flavorful and fun!"

"Contouring is the quickest and easiest way to change the overall look of your face and neck. A right contouring done in a right manner can make a fat face appear slimmer. Highlighting helps enhance the bone structure for a slimmer and more chiseled look" added Gurpreet Ghura.

"We are all a part of a generation where visuality dominates our perception and an experience. Your expression can make or break an image, so whether you are at a model shoot or shooting a casual selfie (or two) at a party, posing to look smaller requires a little mindfulness. It's very important to cross your ankles, slightly twist your body to the side, relax your hands gently on the hips, pull your shoulder back and keep your chin stretched and down. This will help you look leaner and more confident in a picture thanks to sheer posture correction. Lastly and most importantly, look straight into the camera and feel beautiful from within - your personality will definitely show in your pictures and that is the best part!" says Celebrity Photographer Shruti Tejwani.

Join us as we celebrate you. You only live this one, you know!

Event details: 

When: May 27th - Masterclass and showcase + May 28th - Showcase Only only

Time: All day - Masterclasses at 1 pm and 4 pm

Where: Archana Kocchar's Store, JuhuHighlights: Masterclass + Trunk Show in association with Smile Foundation + TV celebrities who will share their experiences..

Birla Lifestyle pulls out of alliance with Eapro Global

Birlalifestyle, one of the leading household appliances, established in 1992 and part of the Rs. 3000 crore Indian conglomerates - The Yash Birla Group, announced that they discontinue its alliance partnership between Birla Lifestyle and Eapro Global Ltd. as per their alliance MOU.

On the occasion Mr. Manoj Singh, CEO, Birla Lifestyle Consumer Products Pvt Ltd., said, “Our decision was based on audit report findings mentioning breach of code of conduct and business practices by Eapro Global Limited. Birla lifestyle always believe to built-up long term business association with their potential business partners to set-up the wide range of platform jointly with their partners to streams line the consistent business opportunity. With significant acceleration expected in the innovative business over the next few years, but due to non responsive approach & attitude on business and code of conduct is having adverse effect on brand equity. Keeping this in view, we believe this discontinuation is right approach and to maintain our brand equity same is value addition for our group. An auditor report has also come as negative in alliance books of accounts and there were many ‘Breach of Contract’ as per Brand Alliance Agreements.”

“The management would like to inform to all the stakeholder, business associates, channel partners, dealer & distributors, employee, advisors and other vendors, including investors etc and other stakeholders for an interaction on the need and likely impact of this change in the system. Birla Lifestyle has no business association with Eapro Global Ltd, in any business line including their products. Birla lifestyle and Eapro Global limited are two independent entities and hereafter and there would be no corporate interference. Brand Alliance partnership is been diluted and going forward Eapro Global Limited is not entitled of using our legacy of Birla Group. In case any guilt is found Birla lifestyle can take severe action against as per company acts” he added.

As mentioned both companies are separate entity bridging with brand alliance strategy and board of directors and management of the company remains same in Birla Lifestyle in case any changes will be updated on the same. Eapro Global has an independent management and they follow their code of conduct as per company act.
The Yash Birla Group is a conglomerate of over 20 diversified companies which run the gamut from established sectors like Auto & Engineering, Textiles & Chemicals and Power & Electricals to emerging sectors of today like Wellness & Lifestyle products, Education & IT. Today, the Group has 8 listed entities in India. The Group has identified sunrise industries like Education, Healthcare and Renewable Energy as focus areas for the future.

Ayushmann Loves Trains: Feels it is a great environment to inspire and create

An Indian train journey is a life experience, the diversity, the color, the melting pot of language, the varied cultures and a window that gives you a diverse panoramic view of India at a glance. Probably why Ayushmann Khuranna still rides the train every chance he gets. Even today Ayushmann travels from the capital city to his home town by train his favorite mode of transport!

The train journey appeals to the artist in him, Ayushmann feels that on a plane one is just waiting to get off and kill time by watching movies but in a train one there is so much inspiration around you. He also feels that in a train one can listen to music clearly and that the romance of the journey is in the people, the reverberations and the ever-changing vista. According to him, the train is a great environment to inspire and create.

But it’s not just the inspiration that he loves about travelling by the Indian Railways; it’s also a sense of nostalgia… His summer vacations with his family often started with a train journey. Ayushmann nostalgically adds “I love train travel for the sake of nostalgia… I know a lot of trains by their names. Even when I was doing theatre I used to travel from Chandigarh to Mumbai and there was this train called the Punjab Mail, which I used to travel by.”

Ask him about one of his favorite times on a train he quips “I remember coming to Mumbai for Mood Indigo, we 10-15 bunch of boys with dholak and guitars for street plays and we used to sing for the passengers, travelling from bogey to bogey and we used to collect money. We used to collect so much money that after finishing the concert, we used to sponsor our Goa trips with that money.”

And while Ayushmann is delights in his joy ride … we are sure all his fans can’t wait to bump into him on his next Train ride!!!

Big Bazaar to host “Kids Carnival” with Chhota Bheem from May 26

Looking for activities and ways to keep your kids busy this vacation? Head to your nearest Big Bazaar will have “Kids Carnival” with Chhota Bheem from May 26 in all its stores across India. Big Bazaar presents Kids Carnival with India’s most loved animation character – Chhota Bheem, will have exciting and fun-filled activities planned for the kids, Big Bazaar is a must-visit this summer.

Big Bazaar’s Kids Carnival will start with a drawing & painting competition on Chota Bheem followed by a Talent Hunt. The age group for these competitions is 5-13 years. Winners will get gift hampers and other kids participation certificates. Interested children can register for the contests at all Big Bazaar stores. And not only this Big Bazaar stores will also have exclusive range of Chhota Bheem merchandise, which will include school bags, tiffin box, t-shirts etc.

Chhota Bheem, India’s most loved animation character, will visit stores in the city and engage with kids. This festival also brings an amazing opportunity to get featured in a TV commercial with Chhota Bheem. One just needs to take a selfie with Chhota Bheem and upload it. The best 5 gets a chance to be a part of a TV commericial with Chhota Bheem.