Ergo March 20

A BYTE OF LIFE

Friday, March 20, 2009

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BRITNEY GETS DEATH THREATS Threatens to cancel ‘Circus’ tour FREE CIRCULATION

Vol. 3

08 SUPER HIGH The new over-the-knee boots

No. 53

Dial L for LOSER Demystify the phenomenon of studs with Ergo, as we list out the stereotypes of those in ‘lowe’ and simply don’t take ‘No’ for an answer even if it came and slapped them on their face. » PAGE 04

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ERGO Friday, March 20, 2009

Hip Hop nite

Namma Chennai

Sparks at Hotel Savera invites you to Ghetto Phunk, a Hip Hop nite by DJ Felix and MC Tommy. The music will start playing from 8 p.m. For details call 97109 47363 / 98841 94856 / 284114700.

Sale

Summer’s here Latha Puthana is organising an exhibition of salwar kameez in cotton mull fabric, ikkat, kalamkari and kadi print. Plus, sarees in chiffon, georgette, Kanjeevarams with intricate embroidery and ornate blouses. The sale is on till March 21 Where: Amethyst, 14 / 30, Padmavathi Road, Jeypore Colony, Gopalapuram

Food

Let’s gang up Looking for a perfect place to hang out with your friends? Ahar at The Residency promieses to play the perfect host as well as get you discounts. If you are a group of eight, pay only for seven; a group of 16 get to pay for 14 and so on. The lunch is priced at Rs. 425 and the offer is valid on all weekdays. Where: The Residency, G.N. Chetty Road For reservation call 28253434 or 9840987253

Television

Art

Rural scope The thought of rural conjures images of mud plastered walls, uneven roads, bullock carts and the mundane lives of the rural folk. Artist S. Jayaraj bares the spirit of the voiceless and hard working people with his exhibition titled ‘Faces of Rural Folk’. When: March 21 to April 3 Where: Tangerine, 5, Murrays Gate Road, Alwarpet For details call 24355834 / 42110888.

Rock on It is going to be music for the ears with original sounds, desi beats and fusion melody. The third season of Sprite Channel V Launch Pad starts from today. Bands from different corners of India, distinct in their personalities and with new sounds promise to rock you with their music. When: March 20; 7.30 p.m. Where: Channel V

Music

Vote, vote Bangalore-based rock band Thermal and a Quarter will perform today as part of the ‘Jaagore One Billion Voters Campaign’. The performance is aimed at creating awareness on the need to vote in the coming elections. Shut up and Vote is one among the songs with a message. When: March 20; 7 p.m. Where: Open Air Theatre, IIT Madras

Television

OSO on Sunday Have no plans this Sunday? Wacth Om Shanti Om on your television. The hit film has Shah Rukh Khan, a young would-be actor looking for a break in cinema. He wants to become a film star and win the beautiful Shanti Priya, played by Deepika Padukone. A good Bollywood masala film! When: March 22; 8 p.m. Where: Sony Entertainment Television

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Friday, March 20, 2009

DVD of the Week

Showing Spain

Zack and Miri make a Porno Two best friends , Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are going through a financial crisis. Zack hits upon a masterplan. He proposes that they produce and star in their own porn film and thus rake in tons of moolah. The great performances by the two lead actors make the film interesting. Both effortlessly slip into their characters and share excellent chemistry. Caution: there’s a fair bit of nudity and steaminess, so make sure no little ones are near. We say: This one’s great fare if you’re looking for a light comedy that can also set the mood for all the right things to happen. (wink, wink!)

Game of the Week

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his is for all you movie buffs The Embassy of Spain, New Delhi in association with Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation is screening award-winning Spanish films from March 23. Four films will be screened on the occasion at South Indian Film Chamber Theatre, 606, Anna Salai at 6.15 p.m. For details call 98401 51956

The films: 13 Roses (March 23)

BURN ZOMBIE BURN Anyone with fond memories of minor SNES classic Zombies Ate My Neighbours will love this. PlayStation Network game BZB throws hundreds of cartoon ghouls at you and a co-op buddy in a blast-fest of brilliant weapons, comedy deaths and no small number of corpses. With only six stages it’s a bit short, but old school, multiplayer thrills seldom come better. LOVE Lawnmowing zombies, 3D graphics, assortment of weapons to kill them with HATE No single-player campaign we say: With a name like this, you cannot not know what to expect.

Music of the Week

Unique Elvis Presley It’s seems the like the studios dishing out Elvis Presley’s songs are taking the adage “The King is dead. Long live the King” too seriously. It’s been over thirty years since The King died, but that hasn’t stopped a wave of compilations from reaching the shore. Well, Times Music’s potboiler ‘Unique’ is tragically far from what its name suggests. At best, it’s got all the songs for wooing your gal and some more for those rainy days: Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, All Shook Up, they’re all there and sound nicely remastered. Too bad, some of Presley’s later work like In The Ghetto are missing. Sound advice: If you don’t own a single album by The King, this one featuring his most popular songs is just right to start out with.

The film is set in Madrid in 1939, and has won six awards at different platforms. Streetcar attendant Julia and Red Cross worker Virtudes are two idealists Republican militants. They spend their evenings in a night club watching musicians Enrique, husband of Blanca, and communist Canepa perform as the bombs fall. When Canepa decides to leave, Blanca gives him some money to help him on his way. Meanwhile, Julia strikes up a relationship with dapper young nationalist soldier Perico.

The Oxford Murders (March 24) The story revolves around a professor and a graduation student who work together to a potential

series of murders.

14 Kilometers (March 25) The film’s title refers to the distance between North Africa and Spain – the final stretch of the journey towards a life where “nobody dies of hunger”. Three young Africans undertake the journey here.

Fermat’s Room (March 26) After resolving a test with a sequence of numbers, four mathematicians are challenged by a mysterious man called Fermat to meet in an isolated place to resolve the greatest enigma ever.

Gatsby on ECR

The Gatsby Store has opened its third outlet at Neelangarai on ECR. The store has a wide range of Raymond fabrics and apparels, Italian suitings and shirtings, with in-house tailoring facility.

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ERGO Friday, March 20, 2009

Big Story

GRAPHIC: R.PRATHAP KUMAR

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Friday, March 20, 2009

ANUSHA PARTHASARATHY [email protected]

S

ome smart chap once said: “Love is that sinking feeling”. Well, it seems to sink a lot ‘lowe’r than Titanic did when you are approached or rather stalked by a wannabe Romeo. The best way to handle them is by wit or by grit. Since there are too many of these characters running loose, here are some stereotypes and how best to politely give them a kick on their rear.

The charmed Prince The Bard He is not the fairytale prince who rescues the princess from the highest room in the tallest tower. He is, in fact, rather ‘charmed’ by himself. His idea of a life quote is “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most handsome of them all?” and his fulltime occupation involves straightening that stray strand of hair on his head and telling himself how handsome he is. If this Prince Charming asks for your hand in ‘love’, there’s only one thing to ask: “Hey, is that a pimple on your cheek?” Rest assured, he will be spending the next three days trying to make it disappear and forget all about you.

The flower-o-holic This guy ‘thinks’ he is the ultimate romantic hero, who knows just what women want; flowers. Not just one, but millions. If he approaches you with a rose one day, the next day he will get a sunflower. He is very useful but only if you are looking to fill your vase with different flowers every day. And sample his romantic quips: “your face is as red as a rose’s petal, looking at you is fatal.” The best response: “Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m in love, but not with you.”

The Kollywood hero He is the one who wears colourful clothes, does aerobics at the mere mention of any song and dances around trees to woo his woman. Whether he woos his woman or boos her is another question. The only things that he talks are mushy, cheesy movie dialogues that make you want to cry and not out of joy. The best way to get back at him is to use an equally cheesy punch dialogue… or to just punch him on the face, Kollywood ishtyle.

Bards were highly overrated poets of the King’s courts, who were commissioned to sing their praise. You would think a few hundred years down the lane, they’d be extinct. But no, modern bards use their talent to sing praise of their women. Excerpts from a modern bard’s collection of poems titled ‘Love Love Love’: “It is here, it is there, it is everywhere. It is so bare, very fair, now my heart tears. Like hand is covered by a glove, I will care for you with my love.” Who would want to go out with this guy? Tell him: “Gloves cover but are temporary, your love won’t be necessary.”

The ramp model This guy is the most hilarious of the lot. He walks like anyone else but as soon as a woman passes by, he does the ‘stud’ walk. This means he lifts his shoulders as high as he can, his arms stiff at his side and he sways his hips as he walks. He uses the ‘cool dude’ walk sometimes too. This requires wearing jeans that don’t stand on his waist along with an XXXL t-shirt, standing with a slight stoop, bending his knees and doing the ‘\m/’ sign with his hands and dragging his feet as he walks very slowly. Both walks look like a bad case of constipation. If these guys approach you, please refer them to a doctor or at least point them to the men’s room.

Johnny Bravo The hopeless romantic He is the one who cannot live without you and decides to attain you by writing 365 letters a year; one for each day. His letters go something like this; ‘Dear so and so, Are you in the well? I’m also in the well (giving you company, I suppose!). My heart swells with love at the mention of your name and I’m scared it will burst. So love me. Love, so and so.’ The only reply you could possibly give such letters is: “Was there any water in the well?”

His ultimate dream is to take a picture of himself surrounded by women he ‘lowes’. The Johnny Bravo who stalks you at every corner, calls you at odd hours, gets flirty around you and tries to strike the dumbest conversations. You know he’s dumb but he thinks you are falling for him, which is the problem. The next time he uses his infamous ‘Heeeeyyy pretty mama’, act deaf. If that doesn’t work, act dumb. He might find you too stupid for him. Or would he?

The Spammer If you find yourself getting a thousand SMSs every day from a single number and all of them are either mushy forwards or outright creepy suicidal stuff, you know you are being spammed by a weirdo. Only one thing to do; spam him back with anti-love messages or call him up and make one of your male friends speak to him instead. ■

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ERGO Friday, March 20, 2009

Olympics props drum up $17.42m

Sport Dynamic duo It’s been Liverpool’s week, Beating Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League, the 4-1 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford. And the two men who are giving manager Rafa Benitez who recently signed a long term contract with the club are Spanish striker Fernando Torres and his English skipper Steven Gerrard. The Reds might not have the bench strength or depth of the Red Devils, but when there two talismans are playing Liverpool will be the team to beat in any competition. The two players combine well and now with Gerrard playing a much freer role at the heart of the midfield behind the Spaniard, Liverpool has an attacking combination which can dodge past any defenders in Europe. Torres with his pace and instinctive eye for goal is and goalkeeper’s nightmare, his captain, is a terrier who fights for every inch, getting inside the skin of the opposition. The two are dynamic as a combination and as long as Liverpool can get them both in the field together there are many more chances of great upsets like the two above.

The auction of 1,500 drums and 978 bamboo scrolls used at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony last year has netted 119 million yuan ($17.42 million), local media reported on Thursday. Precisely 2,008 drummers beat the traditional “fou” drums at the widely acclaimed ceremony to kick off the Games, while the metre-long scrolls were held by scholars chanting Confucian Analects.

Tendulkar puts India in control I

ndia are eyeing a substantial first-innings lead over New Zealand in the first Test in Hamilton after ending day two on Thursday just one run behind with six wickets in hand. Steady batting by the tourists, restricted by the home side’s defensive approach and their own reluctance to take risks, left them on 278 for four when bad light ended play six overs early. With Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 70 and Yuvraj Singh on eight, and with strong batting to come, India look set to rack up a substantial lead. New Zealand, who could muster just 279 on a placid wicket, had an early success when dangerous opener Virender Sehwag was run out early for 24. But they took just three more wickets during the day as Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid both posted half-centuries and VVS Laxman chipped in with 30. Chris Martin, dropped for the West Indies series early this year, was the most effective of the bowlers, dismissing Gambhir and Laxman to produce figures of two for 53 off 20 overs.

the air in the morning. “With the new ball and a little bit of swing I think we can at least claw back a couple of early wickets and get ourselves right back in the game again,” he said. There was no urgency about the Indian innings, in part because of the defensive fields set by New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori in an attempt to force the visitors into taking the initiative if they wanted to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Waiting game Instead, Gambhir, Dravid, Laxman and Tendulkar were prepared to bide their time and wait for the loose deliveries. New Zealand sent down 21 maidens. Tendulkar, who faced 135 balls for his 70, was fortunate to survive when on 13 when Daniel Flynn was able to get his fingertips to a top edge but could not hold the ball. Gambhir, who was trapped lbw off a no-ball from Kyle Mills’s first delivery of the day when on six, went on to make 72 off 135 deliveries. But he fell to

reverse swing from Martin, edging to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, which ended a 105run partnership with Dravid for the second wicket. Dravid went soon after for 66, bowled by Iain O’Brien with a ball that nipped back between bat and pad. Tendulkar and Laxman added 61 in 28 overs for the fourth wicket before Martin dismissed Laxman with the second new ball, caught by Ross Taylor at first slip for 30. But while Martin was frugal at one end, Tendulkar was particularly harsh on Mills, who proved the most expensive of the bowlers with no wicket for 70 off his 15 overs. The first Indian wicket to fall was Sehwag, who had tormented New Zealand with his explosive hitting in the recent one-day series and looked equally comfortable in the longer form of the game. He was run out after James Franklin hit the stumps from 40 yards in the third over of the day. Brief scores New Zealand 279 lead by 1 run against India 278/4 (G. Gambhir 72, R. Dravid 66, S. Tendulkar 70 not out). ■

Looking for substantial lead Veteran batsman Dravid said India would be setting their sights on a lead of at least 150, although he said the third morning could prove pivotal. “The first session is going to be critical. If we can bat well in the first session, build on our lead, I think we should be able to put the pressure on them in the third innings,” said Dravid. “If we can get 150 ahead it will be fantastic. If Sachin and Yuvraj can get us through the new ball tomorrow we can put some serious pressure on them.” But Martin felt conditions would favour the bowlers, with Hamilton traditionally offering moisture and movement in

AFP

Dravid, Gambhir chip in too Sachin Tendulkar plays a shot during the second day of the first Test match between India and New Zealand at Seddon Park Stadium in Hamilton on Thursday. PHOTO: AFP

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Friday, March 20, 2009

‘‘Escape artist Nadal

It will be an honour for me (to become the most capped international hockey player). There is lot of pride attached with this and it will be of great value. They(Tendulkar, Bhutia) have always inspired me. The way Tendulkar has maintained his greatness, it’s something you can always look up to. Looking at Paes, he’s playing so well and is so fit. The same for the Indian football captain Bhutia. I get lot of inspiration from them. Their mental and physical state really motivates me. Standing at the threshhold of becoming the most capped international hockey player of all time, veteran Dilip Tirkey

reaches quarters Federer, Murray advance but Safina bows out

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afael Nadal saved five match points en route to a 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-0 victory over David Nalbandian on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells hardcourt tennis tournament. Nalbandian’s crushing forehand had the world number one on the ropes, but the Spaniard withstood the onslaught. He saved five match points, producing winners on four of them, to take the second set to the tiebreaker. Nadal quickly gained the upper hand in the tiebreak, as Nalbandian netted a volley, double-faulted and then netted another volley. Once Nadal had pocketed the set, Nalbandian faded rapidly and Nadal wrapped up the victory in two hours and 48 minutes - almost on the stroke of 2am. Nadal next faces another Argentinian, sixthseeded Juan Martin del Potro, a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3) winner over American John Isner. Nadal’s escape, against an opponent who had beaten him in two previous encounters back in 2007, meant that the “big four” of the men’s tennis circuit – Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray – all made it into the quarter-finals of the first Masters series event of the year.

Another three setter World No.2 Federer, playing his first tournament since falling in five sets to Nadal in the Australian Open final, got past Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 5-7, 6-2. He’ll face fourth-seeded Murray, who had an unexpectedly easy time as Tommy Robredo retired with an injured right wrist with Murray leading 6-2, 3-0. Djokovic, the defending champion and third seed, survived some shaky moments to pull off a 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6) victory over Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka. He booked a quarter-final clash with seventh-seeded American Andy Roddick, who beat te-

nacious Spaniard David Ferrer 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-3. Djokovic and Roddick will be renewing a rivalry that saw them meet in the quarter-finals of the last two Grand Slams. Former world number one Federer, who has spent the time since the Australian Open recovering from a lingering back ailment and getting in some quality practice, said he enjoyed his tussle with Gonzalez, the 2007 Australian Open runner-up. “I enjoy playing Fernando because it’s so tactical, but then at the same time it’s so brutal, so aggressive. You think you have a

slight chance to win the point, and then you realize no, there’s actually none.” Nevertheless, Federer stretched his record over Gonzalez to 12-1, and lined up a quarter-final clash that promised another test of his ground game against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco, who powered to the semi-finals of the Australian Open where he was felled by Nadal, defeated unseeded German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

Women’s draw In women’s matches, eighth-

seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus shocked top-seeded Russian Dinara Safina 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals. Azarenka denied Safina’s bid to topple American Serena Williams from the world number one rankings, which the Russian would have done had she reached the final here. In the semi-finals Azarenka will face her doubles partner, fourthseeded Russian Vera Zvonareva, who beat ninth-seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-2. {Zsqf} AFP

Rafael Nadal Spain returns a forehand to Michael Berrer during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Wednesday. PHOTO: AFP

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ERGO Friday, March 20, 2009

Portfolio

Paul & Joe

Bootcam DIARIE T

Gucci

Knee-high boots get the kick, as thigh-high stiffknee ones march in – boots so high that even trousers are envious

Hussein Chalayan

Roberto Cavalli

Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton

here’s an episode in Season I of Friends, where Rachel – broke, unemployed, runaway bride – uses her dad’s credit card to buy herself a pair of knee-high leather boots just to feel good despite the state of affairs. A 2009 episode would have required a much bigger shoebox. The knee-length boots wouldn’t seem such a luxury in present times, ending up more like a shrunk cousin of the thighhigh ones that are now the rage. This season, Prada probably set the ball rolling, sending out models in extended Wellington boots that looked more like leather barrels for the legs. And they came with suspenders attached to the waist. Not surprisingly, many even dubbed the boots the ‘no-pants solution’! Gucci’s rock’n’roll-themed Fall/ Winter 2009/2010 show also had its share of thigh-high boots, even dispensing with the need of leggings or leather pants one might have expected. Hussein Chalayan used thighhigh boots, and so did Isabel Marant and Roberto Cavalli. Guy Laroche’s boots complemented the long leather gloves, while Stella McCartney’s trademark oversized jackets actually chucked the trousers for faux leather boots – faux because the PETA top brass was in attendance in the front row. At Paul & Joe, knitted tops were sent out with the thighhigh boots. Standing out, however, were the printed boots at Louis Vuitton by Marc Jacobs. If you’re wondering how people even bend their knees in them, well… they probably don’t. ■

Stella McCartne

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Friday, March 20, 2009

PRICETAG

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Fossil SS09 Fossil Spring Summer 09 brings in the nuances of serene summery colours – brown, silver and green. For men, there are the ‘Hardware on Leather’, ‘Oversized’ and ‘Knurling’ collections. Price: Rs. 4,495 to Rs. 13,495 For women, the watch ES2212 comes with a clean white dial, polished links, brushed stainless steel detailing that asymmetrically frames the bracelet and silver-tone finish. In ES2216, the interplay of squares and circles on the watch gives it a modern deco aesthetic look. Price: Rs. 3995 to Rs. 8,795 Available at: Select Lifestyle, Reliance Time Out and Odyssey stores and premium watch retailers across India.

Tommy Hilfiger Spring/Summer 2009 Tommy Hilfiger announces its Sportswear collection for Spring/Summer 2009 and the Hilfiger Denim Spring/Summer 2009 collection. One of Tommy’s core collections, Sportswear is made up of four fashion groups – The Hamptons, Dripping Paint, Work Hard, Play Hard and Time to Live. The Hamptons: Traditional red, white and blue tones. Core pieces are rugbys, polos, Oxford shirts and classic chinos. Dripping Paint: Hampton’s most famous former resident, artist Jackson Pollock, is used as the basis. Full of fun, the rainbow colours mix together here. The line is characterised by prints, light cottons and practical details. Work Hard, Play Hard: Combines luxury and sportive elegance – read wide-legged trousers and tailored short jackets. Colour schemes are based around the classic black and white, with red and beige brought in as accent colours. Time to Live: Drawing on Miami, the line is based around faded pastels. Soft pinks, beiges, yellows and turquoise feature prominently, along with linens and soft parsley prints. The Hilfiger Denim Spring/Summer ’09 collection has four distinct lines: Rock Scene, Stanford, San Francisco Docks and Stinson Getaway Rock Scene: Tough and sexy, biker, slim fits, rebellious, abstract artworks, stencil letters Stanford: Iconic, preppy, red, white and blue San Francisco Docks: Industrial, uniform details, muted colours with bright pops, metal trims, heavy stitches, layered, textured Stinson Getaway: Bohemia, pastel tones, informal lines Available at the Tommy Hilfiger flagship store (Cenotaph Road)

Prada.

PHOTOS: AFP

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ERGO Friday, March 20, 2009

Flick

Rapper Kanye West prosecuted US rapper Kanye West has been charged with assault, theft and vandalism related to a September 2008 incident involving paparazzi at Los Angeles’ LAX airport. The 31-year-old Grammy-award-winning musician could face up to 30 months in prison.

Britney gets death threats

B

Abhishek Bachchan to speak at Wharton forum

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ctor Abhishek Bachchan will address the Wharton India Economic Forum on Saturday, speaking as part of a panel exploring the impact of India’s booming economy on the Hindi film industry. Abhishek, along with filmmaker Rohan Sippy and PVR Cinemas Chairman Ajay Bijli, will be part of a panel on Bollywood’s Silver Screen: Pursuit of the Golden Globe at the 13th edition of the Philadelphia event. Discussion topics will chart the growth of the industry, encompass the retailing of cinema, exploring the changing landscape in film financing and how prolific cinema-making has given way to a quality that is appreciated by a much broader audience, the Forum said in a statement on its website. Bachchan’s father Amitabh blogged about Abhishek’s Wharton engagement, describing it as a sign of the expanding reach of Indian cinema. “Did any of us ever dream that a day would come when this would fructify, 60-70 years ago. No we did not. But this is the value that our cinema now enjoys,” the elder Bachchan said on his blog (http://bigb.bigadda.com). Reuters

Salma is back The Mexican actress will return to movie screens in a comedy alongside Adam Sandler after a break in which she was producing and acting for television

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exican actress Salma Hayek will return to movie screens in a comedy alongside Adam Sandler, after a break in which she was producing and acting for television, Hollywood media reported Wednesday. Hayek joins funnyman Sandler and his fellow former ‘Saturday Night Live’ stars Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and David Spade in a comedy about best friends from high school who reunite 30 years later, according to Variety. The 42-year-old star of Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Traffic has been devoting time to producing the US TV series Ugly Betty and guest-starring in the Golden Globe-winning 30 Rock. Sandler co-wrote the new project and his Happy Gilmore direc-

tor Dennis Dugan is onboard, said the Hollywood press. It will start shooting in the coming months, ready for release in 2010. Hayek wed French businessman Francois-Henri Pinault last month in Paris. The couple have an infant daughter together. She became famous after starring in a telenovela in her native Mexico when she was 22 years old, before moving to Hollywood. Hayek has also starred in the action flicks Desperado and Wild Wild West and appeared in Dogma. Her role as the eccentric Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in the film Frida earned Hayek a best actress nomination at the 2003 Oscars. ■ AFP

ritney Spears is threatening to cancel her ‘Circus’ tour after receiving death threats via the phone and email. The ‘Womanizer’ singer fears for the safety of her sons Sean Preston, 3, and Jayden James, 2, after getting menacing messages from unknown people. “Britney received some anonymous death threats over the phone and in the mail, and her worst fear is a kidnap plot against Sean or Jayden. She’s been having terrible nightmares ever since then and she wakes up in the middle of the night crying out for her boys,” a source told Britain’s Look magazine. The source added: “She told her head of security and he thinks it’s a lone stalker. Her paranoia has reached fever pitch and she’s wracked with fear.” The 27-year-old star’s eagerly anticipated ‘Circus’ tour kicked off earlier this month, reports The China Daily. ANI

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Friday, March 20, 2009

Goody signs book deal Reality TV star Jade Goody, whose condition is said to be deteriorating rapidly, has signed a book deal detailing her battle with terminal cancer. The book, titled ‘Forever In My Heart’, will be written as a ‘‘letter’’ to her young sons Bobby and Freddie, reported contactmusic.com

Chow Yun-fat to play Confucius

Cine City

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ong Kong action movie star Chow Yun-fat will play ancient philosopher Confucius in a new film backed by the Chinese state, media reports here said. Chow, 53, made his name in violent Hong Kong action films in the 1980s and 1990s but is perhaps best known to many movie-goers for his role as a martial arts master in 2000’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Filming was to begin next month under director Hu Mei, the Beijing Times said. The reports did not say when the biopic would be released but reports late last year had said the China Film Group was hoping to screen the movie on the October 1 National Day holiday. The ancient teachings of Confucius (551-479 B.C.), centring on peace and social harmony have enjoyed an officially-backed renaissance here in recent years, after being suppressed in Maoist China. ■ AFP

Prabhu Deva in Thankar Bachchan’s next GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS: CHOW YUN FAT IN THE FILM "CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON" WHICH WON BEST FOREIGN FILM AND BEST DIRECTOR ( ANG LEE) AWARDS AT 58TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS HELD AT BEVERLY HILLS.

Actor-choreographer-director Prabhu Deva is back to don the grease paint. The actor has accepted the role offered by director Thankar Bachchan to play the lead role in the latter’s movie. Sources said that Bhoomika would be playing the leading lady. Prabhu Deva is at present busy in Hyderabad choreographing a song for Superstar’s Endhiran. Bhoomika is currently working on Maa.

Hazel’s wish A

ctress Julia Roberts streaked her hair pink after her fouryear-old daughter Hazel begged her to dye it. Roberts, a mother of three, showed off her new look on the US talk show Late Show with David Letterman, reports contactmusic.com. “Hazel thought I should have pink hair. I don’t think having a head of pink hair is the way to go, so I went for a little bit,” said the actress. ■ IANS

Julia Roberts streaks hair pink for daughter

Nandalala release postponed

Mysskin’s Nandalala touted to be a Pongal release has not yet hit the screens and it seems the director has no plans to release it soon. The reason behind the confusion is said to be the IPL matches and general elections. So the director-turned-actor has decided to play safe and release the movie during summer holidays.

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ERGO Friday, March 20, 2009

Thursday’s question: Freida Pinto of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ fame is being considered for the next Bond girl. Who would have been your pick for the role? ■ "CID" Sakunthala who has already played such terror-lady roles against Jai Shankar

Mukund, SCB Scope International

■ Vijayashanthi for her aggressive stunts Lakshmi Narasimhan, Verizon

■ Kovai Sarala, for her amazing stunt skills Senthil Arjunan Calsoft, Satishkumar, Saranya, Dhanesh Cognizant, Senthil, Tharika TCS, Sivakumar.A.G Perot Systems, Krishnakumar, Murali Wipro, Renzith Sutherland, Revathi iNautix, Renuka Pride Technologies

Shajeer Mundoli from Birlasoft Ltd has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime.This Picture was clicked at Golden Sun Beach resort in ECR.

■ Radio jockey Suchi Padma Gopal, Cognizant

■ Paravai Muniyama. She will encourage Bond while fighting by singing Sathya TCS, Dinesh RRD

■ Konkona Sen Sharma Thivyanathan, TCS

■ Gandhimathi or Manorama. Both wearing jeans and sleeveless tops with a cooling glass Uma, Perot Systems

■ Dhool film fame Sorna akka, with her stunning voice, boldness n action

Prabhumohan from Verizon has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime.

Hashim, Allsec

■ Aisha Takia, she is a gorgeous atom bomb Rajeesh, Perot Systems

Today’s Query: If you were getting back home alone at night and stopped by a lady in a white sari asking for a lift, what would you do and why?

Shankar Subramanian of HCL has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime, This pic was clicked at Auli Snowfall.

13

Friday, March 20, 2009

March 19 (Belated) ■ Dear Asky, SOME LIKE SUNDAY,SOME LIKE MONDAY but we LIKE ONE DAY THAT`S UR BIRTHDAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHEEKY! With Love Adarsh, Vasanth, Muki,Ani, EDS an HP Company

March 20 ■ Dear Divya (Elsevier), Hi Divya For idli chatney is d correct match, For chappati, Chicken is d correct match, For friendship, u r the correct match, Long live our Friendship! We The "ATG ROCKERZ".......Wishing u many more happy returns of the day.........Happy Birthday. Wishes From, Gershom, Srini, Praveen, Vinoth, Serena, Sai, Sushma & Rafia-Allsec tech

■ Dear Balaji, On you bday, We wish you all your wishes come true and a perfect year ahead.

Urs, Shankar S, Srinivasulu P, Rajasekaran NRK & Krishnan V PMC P Ltd.

■ My Dear Sister (Deepa), I know I keep you busy, but you keep me busy too. While you’re busy taking care of me, I’m busy loving and caring you. Have a wonderful birthday! Happy birthday to the best sister a brother has ever had!

Urs loving Brother, Prabu.

■ Dear Divya The Busy Bee, Many more happy returns of the day.......May all ur dreamz come true and ROCK for ever...... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Have a great year ahead! Cheers!

With Luv, Gershom, Srini, Praveen, Vinoth, Serena(ATG ROCKERS), Allsec tech

■ Dear Hardik, We are so glad to wish you in advance for your birthday. As your special day nears, we the customer world team wish you happiness, joy and luv throughout the life. God Bless you n Happy Birthday hardik.

With wishes & Prayers, LuV ur team, TCS.

■ Dear Nithya, You’re thought about more often than you probably can guess, and thoughts of you just naturally bring smiles of happiness in our minds. Now, that it’s your birthday, may each and every warm thought, bring a wish for all the best in life, and all your favorite things. Wish u a wonderful birthday!!!

Ever urs, Sowdha, Revathi, Saranya, Priya HCL Technolgies

■ To all those who are engaged in AEB-SCB Integration Testing, Wish you all the best and success for smooth Go-Live.

Best Wishes From, Viswanathan, Ganesh, Namadevan, Muktheeswaran, Raghavan, Chellappa, Jayashree, SJ, Ramanujam, Sridharan, Chandrasekar, Dhananjayan, Kumar, Vipin - Software Solutions, Scope International.

■ Dear Sandhya Akka & Deepika Every sunset gives us one day less to live! But every sunrise give us, one day more to hope! So, hope for the best. Have a Good Day & Good Luck! All The Very Best for ur upcoming project too...

Loving Wishes from, N.Deepan (LTSB), TCS,Siruseri

■ Hi Saranya, We wish you a Many More Happy Returns of the Day. May god bless you with health, wealth and Happiness. “Inniya Pirandhanaal Vazhthukkal”

Regards, FSS-TESTING TEAM

■ Wish u a many more happy returns of the day "biceps" Bala .

Regards ILP And friends

■ Dear Alafia and Yusuf, It’s time to say, "And they lived happily ever after..." Happy married life to both of you!!

With Warm Regards from all we Friends!

■ Dear Syed, Wishing you a very happy birthday Syed!! May God’s blessings be with you all through you life!!

Friends, New Age Software and Solutions. Ashok Nagar.

■ Dear Vani On your birthday I wish you much pleasure and joy; May each hour and minute be filled with delight, And your birthday be perfect for you!

Lots of Love, Priya.

■ Hey PKS (Shankar) Many more happy returns of the day..Take a resolution tat 4m dis b’day u won’t take leave to watch cricket match.. Have a rocking year ahead.

Regards, Hari, Senthil, Sundar, Balaji, Siva & Ameen (Nittany)

■ Sweet Akhilesh, Every year, on your birthday, I think about how glad I am that you were born, how thankful I am to have you in my life. Every year, when you open your birthday gifts, realize what a gift you are to everyone who knows you, especially me. Happy Birthday! This is to you my love, It’s all I could afford, I’m not maid of money, This is your reward, Because you are my honey.

With lots of love MGS

■ Dear Senthil, A BIRTHDAY WISH REMINDS U THE FIRST CRY MAMMA... START UR DAY WITH HER ... SWEET BLESSINGS THE DAY WILL BE YOURS .MANY HAPPY RETURNS... My Friend J With cheers, Customer Details Team CGSL International Limited DLF, Chennai

■ My dear Friend Jai, Wish u many more Happy returns of the day. All your dreams come true this year. Urs, Everloving friends Werone (Kannan,Mugi,Hari,Magi,Jaggu)

March 21

■ Dear Hema Its a nice feeling wen u knw dat sum1 likes u, sum1 thinks abt u, sum1 needz u; but it feelz much better wen u know that sum1 nvr ever forgets your birthday."HAPPY BIRTHDAY to dear Hema" Many more happy returns of the day. Let this day bring u lots of Wealth, Peace, Happiness and good health through out ur life. Wishing u once again... With loads of luv, Madhan. Sify technologies ltd.

■ Hi Angel, MANY MORE HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY !!! May all your wishes come true for the upcoming years... Keep your cute silly replies always ready J. Keep smiling and keep on smiling.... From, Your loving(Diamond) friends !!! WIPRO Technologies.

■ Hi Annu, Your birth is a God’s Gift to earth with Love and care as your wealth, You are a laughing flower and our nearest wonder, You have touched everyone’s life you entered. Each year your birthday makes us to celebrate one more children’s day, Let your smiles and joys increases miles, We wish you the happiest of birthdays, May God showers the blesses on his own child !!! Friends, Praveen, Bhavya, Dinesh, Prasath, Elavarasi, Janu Priya and Aisvarya Sree

■ Dear John Robert Kennedy, Wish U Many More Happy Returns Of The Same Day. Let Ur Wishes Comes True For Forth-Coming Year Also. Your Are Older Than Yesterday. But Still, Younger Than Tomorrow. Happy B’day Robert. Where Is The Party To-nite. Expecting Venue Eagerly From You… Keep Smiling… Have A Nice Day… Njoi… From, Performance Engg., Team, CSS

14

ERGO Friday, March 20, 2009

Traffic Jam

Digital digit A computer programmer who lost his finger in a motorcycle accident has replaced the missing digit with a USB drive to store digital files.

sudoku

Hurray! Gang of boys: Judith of TCS clicked this in Mathurathangam village

Preference this month is being given to photographs that talk about ‘happiness’, which you need to tell us in a line or two. Please do not repeat any of your previous pictures and also make sure that the photograph is people-oriented. Happiness is not always a smile, so put on your thinking caps and keep clicking! Winners can collect their gift vouchers on Sundays, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Ergo office

So you think you would make a terrific photographer but never really had the platform? Mail us your best work and we’ll publish it in this space, with credit. E-mail: [email protected]

TEAM Editor: Karthik Subramanian [email protected]

Sr Dy Chief Designer: J.A. Prem Kumar Dy Chief Designer: R. Ravi Kannan Illustrator: R. Venugopal Technical Support: V.R. Vasudevan, K.G. Gurumurthy N. Ravichandran, E. Baskar

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: Contact: 2857 5757 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.goergo.in Head of Circulation: M.G.M. Sharief [email protected]

SNAIL MAIL 859/860, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002 mail your feedback to [email protected]

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Printed and Published by S. Karthik on behalf of KASTURI & SONS LTD., at Plot B-6 & B-7, CMDA Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar, Chengleput Taluk, Kancheepuram Dist., Pin: 603209 & at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002. Editor: S. Karthik (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553

KAKURO

15

Friday, March 20, 2009

Hole-in-one shot

Word’s worth

A 62-year-old Norwegian woman has hit a hole-in-one with her first ever swing on a golf course.

“Glaistig” (glas-tik) is a Gaelic word for a beautiful fairy, usually seen at the bank of a stream. Also, a hag in the shape of a goat.

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 You can get very fired up about something out of the ordinary, an ideal or dream, or fantasy that you usually consider too impractical to actually do anything about. Your imagination is very active, says Ganesha.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 Ganesha predicts that this can be the time when you are forced to confront and deal with something which is no longer working - from old, outworn possessions to an unhealthy relationship or a deeply ingrained, self-defeating attitude.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 An opportunity for a new romance or friendship is likely to surface now and work out quite nicely for you, says Ganesha. You will clear all misunderstandings and will work towards making your relationship a better one.

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 Your mind is sharp and your responses quick. This is a very good time to take a test or to do any kind of intellectual or mental work. Use your quick and practical thinking ability and go ahead. Ganesha is with you.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 Accidents, mistakes made in haste or ego conflicts may occur due to your impatience and willfulness. Positively, physical energy is high and you could accomplish a great deal. Ganesha advises you to be calm.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

You may have a blunt and forthright way of talking to people. Give candid opinion about your beliefs. You want to clear the air so that you can move ahead with new goals. Your passion is surging and you are likely to do something without thinking.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 A creative day like today will be the perfect time to work on a hobby or an artistic project. The day will give you wisdom and a philosophical attitude towards the difficulties you might encounter, says Ganesha.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 You will be extremely articulate. Real estate settlements will look positive. Socialize or travel for networking. Don’t rekindle an old relationship. Stiff competition is likely. It will be important to pay more attention to what is going on around you.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 Ganesha wants you to be alert and give yourself the opportunity to hear the subconscious messages that are trying to get through to your conscious mind. You may feel a powerful urge to be out with your friends.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 Be open to the possibility of change and stay flexible says Ganesha. Pamper yourself and see how good you feel. You are prone to daydreaming. Tap your potential for success.

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 Don’t worry about work left undone; have fun. Opportunities look good. Negotiate your position and hold your ground about what you want. A problem that arises will change as quickly as it appears.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 You can think clearly today says Ganesha. You will get praise for what you have accomplished as well as some honest advice and suggestions. The image you project will help you get ahead. You have the energy to tackle any project now. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

16

ERGO Friday, March 20, 2009

This picture taken on Wednesday shows an undersea volcano eruption about 10 to 12 kilometres (six to seven miles) off the Tongatapu coast of Tonga sending plumes of steam and smoke hundreds of metres into the air. Tonga’s head geologist, Kelepi Mafi, said there was no apparent danger to residents of Nuku’alofa and others living on the main island of Tongatapu. Officials also said it may be related to a quake with a magnitude of 4.4 which struck last March 13 around 35 kilometres from the capital at a depth of nearly 150 kilometres. AFP PHOTO / LOTHAR SLABON / MATANGI TONG

Gwen Stefani in attendance during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Wednesday in Indian Wells, California. GETTY IMAGES/AFP PHOTO

Whose line is it anyway? Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen was left red-faced on Tuesday when delivering his St Patrick’s Day speech at a White House dinner party. It emerged that he was accidentally reading off the teleprompter that was meant for President Obama. “We begin by welcoming today a strong friend of the United States,” he began and continued in that vein for about 20 seconds before. Suddenly, he looked back at the US President and said: “That’s your speech!” Gesturing at the teleprompter, he said: “Why don’t these things work for me? Who said these things were idiotproof?” ■ IANS